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