22nd March 2020 - Old Cote Moor Top
Walk Details
Distance walked: 10.9 miles
Total ascent: 1556 ft
OS map used: OL30 - Yorkshire Dales, Northern & Central areas
Time taken: 6.5 hrs
Route description: Arncliffe-New Barn-Littondale-Litton-Ackerley Moor-Old Cote Moor Top-Middlesmoor Pasture-Knipe Scar-Hawkswick-Littondale-Arncliffe
This was my last walk before the COVID-19 lockdown came into force. It didn't come as a surprise when they were put into place the following day, given the crowds that had gathered in parks and beauty spots. How could social distancing be maintained in that environment? With hindsight, it was a relief that they did. It took the decision away from me about whether or not it was OK for me to continue to drive somewhere for a walk. My walk today was one that I've done a few times before, taking in Littondale and the southern end of the moorland ridge that separates Littondale and Wharfedale. I had lovely spring weather for it, lots of blue skies and sunshine, but with a bit of haze that restricted the views.
After parking in Arncliffe I walked west through the village to the sharp left hand bend on Brootes Lane. Here I took the track that goes straight on past New Barn and then the footpath that makes its way up Littondale, taking the stepping stones across the River Skirfare, to arrive in Litton. A short walk up the road to the Queen's Arms pub later and I was on the bridleway up onto the moor to Buckden. When I reached the top of the bridleway I left it for the trig point on Old Cote Moor Top. Lunch was taken sitting against the nearby wall. The moorland part of the walk was next. A clear enough path follows the wall southeast to reach a ladder stile, which I crossed onto the Wharfedale side of the fell to continue walking down the ridge all the way to Knipe Scar. I then took the path down to Hawkswick in Littondale where after turning right and a short walk along the road I took the footbridge over the River Skirfare. The last part of my walk was to follow the footpath up Littondale to arrive in Arncliffe by St. Oswald's church. A short time later and I was back where I'd parked.
Total ascent: 1556 ft
OS map used: OL30 - Yorkshire Dales, Northern & Central areas
Time taken: 6.5 hrs
Route description: Arncliffe-New Barn-Littondale-Litton-Ackerley Moor-Old Cote Moor Top-Middlesmoor Pasture-Knipe Scar-Hawkswick-Littondale-Arncliffe
This was my last walk before the COVID-19 lockdown came into force. It didn't come as a surprise when they were put into place the following day, given the crowds that had gathered in parks and beauty spots. How could social distancing be maintained in that environment? With hindsight, it was a relief that they did. It took the decision away from me about whether or not it was OK for me to continue to drive somewhere for a walk. My walk today was one that I've done a few times before, taking in Littondale and the southern end of the moorland ridge that separates Littondale and Wharfedale. I had lovely spring weather for it, lots of blue skies and sunshine, but with a bit of haze that restricted the views.
After parking in Arncliffe I walked west through the village to the sharp left hand bend on Brootes Lane. Here I took the track that goes straight on past New Barn and then the footpath that makes its way up Littondale, taking the stepping stones across the River Skirfare, to arrive in Litton. A short walk up the road to the Queen's Arms pub later and I was on the bridleway up onto the moor to Buckden. When I reached the top of the bridleway I left it for the trig point on Old Cote Moor Top. Lunch was taken sitting against the nearby wall. The moorland part of the walk was next. A clear enough path follows the wall southeast to reach a ladder stile, which I crossed onto the Wharfedale side of the fell to continue walking down the ridge all the way to Knipe Scar. I then took the path down to Hawkswick in Littondale where after turning right and a short walk along the road I took the footbridge over the River Skirfare. The last part of my walk was to follow the footpath up Littondale to arrive in Arncliffe by St. Oswald's church. A short time later and I was back where I'd parked.
Route map
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Crossing the bridge over Cowside Beck as I leave Arncliffe
Taking the footpath up Littondale to Litton...
The hillside of Old Cote Moor
Entering Scoska Wood National Nature Reserve
I've crossed over the River Skirfare here a few times and this is the most water that I've seen
Looking down Littondale..
..and up Littondale
The final approach to the village of Litton..
Great retrospective views of Littondale as I take the bridleway up onto Ackerley Moor..
Onwards and upwards
Penyghent and Plover Hill at the head of Littondale
Onto Old Cote Moor Top and I have an extensive and exclusively moorland view. Penyghent, Plover Hill and the nearby Potts Moor to the west.
Great Whernside in the distance behind the trig point..
..and Buckden Pike
Penyghent, Plover Hill and Dodd Fell Hill in the distance to the west and northwest
The broad moorland ridge stretches away to the northwest. I've walked every part of it over the years.
I'm going to be following that wall to the south
Looking over the wall to the moors to the north of Malham, Fountains Fell and Darnbrook Fell
The moortop wall provides a sure guide as I follow it south, then east, to a ladder stile...
Having crossed the ladder stile I have a view of Wharfedale, and Buckden below Buckden Pike
Heading south by the wall and I have great views of Wharfedale to my left..
..of Buckden and Buckden Pike..
..and Starbotton, Cam Pasture, and Great Whernside
As the height of the moorland ridge starts to drop the view south towards Barden Fell and Barden Moor opens up
Fountains Fell, Darnbrook Fell, Penyghent and Plover Hill
This moorland ridge is a joy to tread, with fantastic views...
Looking back as I reach Middlesmoor Pasture
Kettlewell below Great Whernside
Heading south across Middlesmoor Pasture
Barden Moor in the distance to the south from the trig point on Middlesmoor Pasture
Buckden Pike
Fountains Fell, Darnbrook Fell and Plover Hill in the distance to the left, with the ridge up to Old Cote Moor Top on the right
Big skies over Middlesmoor Pasture
From the trig point I'm following the ridge down to its end at Knipe Scar, where Littondale and Wharfedale meet...
I can't not take a photo or two of trees growing out of limestone pavement..
Before I leave Knipe Scar, one last shot looking down Wharfedale to Barden Moor with Kilnsey Crag on the right
I have a great view up Littondale as I follow the path down to Hawkswick
Looking down Littondale into Wharfedale
Down into the hamlet of Hawkswick..
Crossing the River Skirfare
By the River Skirfare as I follow the path up Littondale...
Looking back down Littondale
The River Skirfare from just outside Arncliffe
The church of St. Oswald's as I arrive back in Arncliffe