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20th June 2020 - Boss Moor to Weets Top and back

Walk Details

Distance walked: 13.4 miles

Total ascent: 2061 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 since the lockdown restrictions were eased, and then it was only just over the southern boundary of the park. 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 summer's day, but for a couple of hours around the middle of the day the skies clouded over, and it became quite grey, overcast and breezy with a bit of light rain. Thankfully I'd decided to bring a waterproof with me.

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 (with a detour to the top of a limestone hill just to the east of it). 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, following a wall up access land, and crossing a couple at the top. 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 took the bridleway west to Mastiles Lane, 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 and a distant Pendle Hill from where I've parked on Boss Moor
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Hetton Common Head, Weets Top, and the moors north of Malham
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On the bridleway north across Boss Moor
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Looking back to Pendle Hill in the distance
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Through the gate and onto Threshfield Moor
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On the bridleway north across Threshfield Moor
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There are several junctions of paths and bridleways up here
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Looking back to Pendle Hill in the distance
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Malham Moor ahead with Great Whernside in the distance on the right
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Passing Height Laithe
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Looking east to Height House and Cow Close Wood, with Cracoe Fell in the distance
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Having crossed Malham Moor Lane, on the bridleway north across Malham Moor, with Buckden Pike and Great Whernside in the distance
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I've left the bridleway for a limestone hill to its east, hoping for a good view of Wharfedale. Looking up Wharfedale to Buckden Pike and Great Whernside.
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and looking down dale to Grass Wood, Grassington, and Barden Fell. The big hole in the ground is Threshfield Quarry.
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Can't resist taking a photo across a bit of limestone pavement
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Holgates Kilnsey Moor and Kilnsey Moor
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Back on the bridleway and I follow it north towards Kilnsey and Mastiles Lane..
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Onto Mastiles Lane and I follow it west up onto Holgates Kilnsey Moor
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Looking back down Mastiles Lane to Grassington Moor and Great Whernside in the distance..
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Heading west along Mastiles Lane to Mastiles Gate
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Looking back east along Mastiles Lane as I reach Mastiles Gate
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I leave Mastiles Lane and follow the bridleway to Malham Moor Lane
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Weets Top and Kirkby Fell in the distance as I head up onto Holgates Kilnsey Moor. The sunshine has disappeared and it looks like there might be a shower or two on their way.
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Some exposed limestone provides a foreground for taking photos...
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Buckden Pike and Great Whernside from the trig point on Holgates Kilnsey Moor
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Cracoe Fell to the south
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Pendle Hill in the distance, with Weets Top closer to its right
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Down from Holgates Kilnsey Moor, and on the bridleway from Malham Moor Lane west to Mastiles Lane
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Heading west along Mastiles Lane with Kirkby Fell in the distance
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Mastiles Lane views, and after a couple of hours of grey skies it's brightening up...
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Cracoe Fell in the distance as I leave Mastiles Lane for a footpath to Smearbottoms Lane
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Looking back with the moorland of Clapham High Mark and Proctor High Mark in the distance
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Ahead of me there's a bit of sunshine on Weets Top 
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Heading south along Smearbottoms Lane
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There are still some dark clouds around as I look back to Middle Laithe Farm
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On the bridleway up to Weets Top
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Looking back with sunshine on Middle Laithe Farm, and Clapham High Mark, Proctor High Mark and Great Whernside in the distance
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The remains of Weets Cross
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At the trig point on Weets Top
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If I look over the summit wall I have a view to the north of Clapham High Mark, Proctor High Mark, and Great Whernside 
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The Bronte moors and Pendle Hill in the distance to the southwest
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Looking over that wall again and I can see the entrance to Gordale Scar, along with Kirkby Fell, the top of Ingleborough, and Fountains Fell
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Before I move on, a last look at the view to the north from the top of the bridleway up to Weets Top
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On the bridleway to Hetton Common Head
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On Hetton Common Head with Proctor High Mark and Great Whernside in the distance
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Looking across Malhamdale to Kirkby Fell
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Cracoe Fell and Sharp Haw to the southeast
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Following the bridleway down Hetton Common...
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Crossing Hetton Common Beck
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Winterburn Reservoir
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Ragged Robin
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Looking back to Hetton Common
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On the bridleway of Moor Lane up to Boss Moor Lane
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Hetton Common and the valley of Hetton Common Beck
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Looking back with Pendle Hill in the distance
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The gate onto Boss Moor Lane, and the end of my walk is in sight

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© Alan Kilduff 2016-2023                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
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