Pennine Walker, a photographic walking diary

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17th April 2021 - Boss Moor to Weets Top and back

Walk Details

Distance walked: 13.4 miles

Total ascent: 1992 ft

OS map used: OL2 - Yorkshire Dales, Southern & Western areas

Time taken: 7 hrs

Route description: Boss Moor Lane-Boss Moor-Threshfield Moor-Malham Moor Lane-Malham Moor-Mastiles Lane-Holgates Kilnsey Moor-Mastiles Lane-Smearbottoms Lane-Weets Top-Hetton Common Head-Hetton Common-Dales High Way-Moor Lane-Boss Moor Lane


Today was my first visit to the Yorkshire Dales in six months. When the tiered restrictions were put in place last October which meant that I had to stay local I couldn't have imagined that it would be the following April until I could go walking in the Dales again. The "stay at home" order was lifted a few weeks ago, but it was worth waiting a little longer to feel comfortable with travelling a little further away from home for a walk. I'm very familiar with this part of the Dales, it being close to where I live, and I knew that the route that I'd worked out would be quiet, which was just what I was looking for. I've found that this moorland between Malhamdale and Wharfedale is just the place to go for solitude and great views, despite it being close to popular locations such as Malham and Grassington. The forecast was for a fine spring day and it didn't disappoint, with lots of blue skies, sunny spells and great views to enjoy.

From where I parked at the quarries at the top of Boss Moor Lane, I set off by following the bridleway north across Boss Moor, then the bridleway north across Threshfield Moor to Malham Moor Lane. I crossed the road and took the bridleway opposite, following this north across Malham Moor and down to Mastiles Lane. I then made my way west along Mastiles Lane to Mastiles Gate, and then south along a bridleway to the western end of Malham Moor Lane. It was from here that I made my way up to the trig point on Holgates Kilnsey Moor, going through a gate and following a wall up access land. After taking in the view and having had my lunch, I made my way back down to the western end of Malham Moor Lane and back along the bridleway to Mastiles Gate, then followed Mastiles Lane to the west until I reached a footpath on the left which took me south to the northern end of Smearbottoms Lane. I then walked south along Smearbottoms Lane until I reached a bridleway on the left which took me up to Weets Gate and the trig point on Weets Top. From Weets Top I then followed the bridleway south to Hetton Common Head, and then southeast down Hetton Common to a bridge over Hetton Common Beck, and up to the bridleway of Moor Lane. Following Moor Lane uphill brought me back to where I was parked on Boss Moor Lane.

Route map
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© Crown copyright. All rights reserved. License number PU 100034184.

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Winterburn Reservoir from where I'm parked on Boss Moor Lane
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On the bridleway north across Boss Moor
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To my left are Hetton Common and Weets Top, which I'll visit later in the day
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To my right are Cracoe Fell and Flasby Fell
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Heading for Threshfield Moor
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Crossing Lainger Beck as I take the bridleway north across Threshfield Moor to Malham Moor Lane...
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Looking back to Cracoe Fell and Flasby Fell
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A great view looking north from Threshfield Moor to Great Whernside
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A change from gritstone to limestone as I reach Higher Heights Holes
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Looking east towards Simon's Seat and Cracoe Fell
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On Malham Moor having crossed Malham Moor Lane
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Cracoe Fell and Threshfield Moor
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Buckden Pike and Great Whernside appear as I head north across Malham Moor
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Heading west up Mastiles Lane
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Looking back down Mastiles Lane and across Wharfedale to Great Whernside and Grassington Moor
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High Kilnsey Moor from the top of Mastiles Lane
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Following Mastiles Lane to the west
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The limestone moorland of Proctor High Mark and High Kilnsey Moor to my right
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Looking back east along Mastiles Lane
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I leave Mastiles Lane for the bridleway south to Malham Moor Lane
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Kirkby Fell above Malham in the distance on the left as I head up onto Holgates Kilnsey Moor
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At the trig point on Holgates Kilnsey Moor. Pendle Hill, Weets Top and Kirkby Fell to the west.
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Buckden Pike and Great Whernside
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The limestone moorland of Clapham High Mark and Proctor High Mark to the northwest
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Simon's Seat, Wharfedale, and Cracoe Fell to the southeast
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Cracoe Fell and Flasby Fell beyond Threshfield Moor and Malham Moor
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Looking across the valley of Bordley Beck to Hetton Common and Weets Top
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Having made it down from Holgates Kilnsey Moor, heading north back to Mastiles Lane
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Looking back to High Kilnsey Moor and Holgates Kilnsey Moor as I head west along Mastiles Lane
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Threshfield Moor, Cracoe Fell and Flasby Fell to my left
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Kirkby Fell in the distance as I head west along Mastiles Lane
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The limestone moorland of Clapham High Mark and Proctor High Mark to the north
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I really like this view of Mastiles Lane as it heads off in the distance to the east. It makes me want to walk along it.
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Continuing west along Mastiles Lane, but not for much longer. I'll take the footpath just ahead on the left..
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..and follow it south to Smearbottoms Lane
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Looking back to the limestone moorland to the north of Mastiles Lane
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Weets Top ahead as I approach Middle Laithe Farm
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Looking east across the valley of Bordley Beck to Threshfield Moor from Smearbottoms Lane
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Looking back along Smearbottoms Lane to Middle Laithe Farm
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On the bridleway to Weets Top
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Looking back along the bridleway to the moorland to the north of Mastlies Lane
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The remains of Weets Cross
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On Weets Top with Hetton Common Head ahead
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The trig point on Weets Top
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Cracoe Fell, Boss Moor and Hetton Common from Weets Top
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Great Whernside in the distance to the northeast
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Kirkby Fell and the entrance to Gordale Scar below
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Back to the top of the bridleway for a view north to High Kilnsey Moor and Great Whernside
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A last look at the trig point on Weets Top as I take the bridleway to Hetton Common
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Kirkby Fell to the west from Hetton Common Head
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Boss Moor, Cracoe Fell and Flasby Fell
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Pendle Hill in the distance
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and Great Whernside beyond Holgates Kilnsey Moor
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Great views ahead of Boss Moor, Cracoe Fell and Flasby Fell in the late afternoon sun as I follow the bridleway down Hetton Common....
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Crossing Hetton Common Beck
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Winterburn Reservoir
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Looking back to Hetton Common from the bridleway up to Moor Lane
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Hetton Common and the valley of Hetton Common Beck
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On the home straight as I follow the bridleway of Moor Lane up to Boss Moor Lane

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© Alan Kilduff 2016-2023                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
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