31st August 2014 - Cracoe Fell & Burnsall Fell
Walk Details
Distance walked: 12.8 miles
Total ascent: 2014 ft
OS map used: OL2 - Yorkshire Dales, Southern & Western areas
Time taken: 7 hrs
Route description: Burnsall-Dales Way-Thorpe-Cracoe-Chapel Lane-Rylstone-Rylstone Fell-Rylstone Cross-Cracoe Fell-Burnsall Fell-Numberstones End-Burnsall
A fantastic day for this walk in the Yorkshire Dales to enjoy the heathery expanse of Burnsall Fell. More warm sunshine with a cooling breeze and good visibility to appreciate the views. It's grouse shooting season so I checked that access land was open before I set off. If you go to the Yorkshire Dales NP website and search for Barden Moor one of the items that comes up is for Open Access. This page will give the dates when access land is closed and only the public footpaths are open.
From Burnsall I followed the Dales Way north to the suspension bridge. I took the bridleway and lane to the hamlet of Thorpe, then the path below Embolton Hill to Thorpe Lane and Cracoe. After walking through Cracoe I took the track of Chapel Lane to Rylstone and then the bridleway up onto Rylstone Fell. Once on access land I followed the path across the fell visiting Rylstone Cross, the war memorial and the trig point on Burnsall Fell. An estate track then took me to my last stop on Numberstones End where a steep descent back to Burnsall was left.
Total ascent: 2014 ft
OS map used: OL2 - Yorkshire Dales, Southern & Western areas
Time taken: 7 hrs
Route description: Burnsall-Dales Way-Thorpe-Cracoe-Chapel Lane-Rylstone-Rylstone Fell-Rylstone Cross-Cracoe Fell-Burnsall Fell-Numberstones End-Burnsall
A fantastic day for this walk in the Yorkshire Dales to enjoy the heathery expanse of Burnsall Fell. More warm sunshine with a cooling breeze and good visibility to appreciate the views. It's grouse shooting season so I checked that access land was open before I set off. If you go to the Yorkshire Dales NP website and search for Barden Moor one of the items that comes up is for Open Access. This page will give the dates when access land is closed and only the public footpaths are open.
From Burnsall I followed the Dales Way north to the suspension bridge. I took the bridleway and lane to the hamlet of Thorpe, then the path below Embolton Hill to Thorpe Lane and Cracoe. After walking through Cracoe I took the track of Chapel Lane to Rylstone and then the bridleway up onto Rylstone Fell. Once on access land I followed the path across the fell visiting Rylstone Cross, the war memorial and the trig point on Burnsall Fell. An estate track then took me to my last stop on Numberstones End where a steep descent back to Burnsall was left.
Route map
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It's a stunning morning by the River Wharfe in Burnsall
Looking back at Burnsall Bridge as I follow the Dales Way north. My last port of call on Burnsall Fell is in the background.
The Wharfe barges its way through the limestone cliffs of Loup Scar..
This is where I leave the Dales Way behind. It crosses the river but I'm taking the bridleway uphill to Thorpe.
A beautiful morning in Wharfedale
Looking back on the hamlet of Thorpe..
..as I leave it on this walled track below Embolton Hill
A view up Wharfedale towards Kilnsey Moor, Buckden Pike and Great Whernside
Across fields to Thorpe Lane..
..and then through the village of Cracoe
Leaving Cracoe on the track of Chapel Lane and the crags of Cracoe Fell come into view. That's where I'm heading for.
Past Rylstone and another track will take me to the bridleway up onto Cracoe Fell
Finally on the fell and I leave the mountain bikers behind that I was playing tortoise and hare with on the way up
The heather is looking great this year!
My first stop of the day is up ahead and it's time I had my lunch
Rylstone Cross
Looking up Wharfedale to Buckden Pike and Great Whernside
I'll follow the top of the crags to my next stop at the war memorial on Cracoe Fell
The fells above Malham to the northwest
A distant Pendle Hill and Longridge Fell beyond nearby Sharp Haw
Back over the stile
A carpet of heather across to Crookrise Crag Top
The path follows the wall across the fell
Upper Barden Reservoir
The war memorial on Cracoe Fell. Taken from the top of the stile over the wall.
Views from the war memorial. Buckden Pike, Great Whernside and Wharfedale.
Looking back down the crags towards Rylstone Cross and a distant Pendle Hill
Burnsall Fell. There's a trig point to visit.
Up close with the heather
Simon's Seat from the trig point on Burnsall Fell. There's no path through the heather, just keep heading upwards.
Buckden Pike and Great Whernside
Back on the track that will take me to the final stop of the day on Numberstones End
A view down Wharfedale to Ilkley Moor
Finally at the cairn on Numberstones End
Simon's Seat and Barden Fell on the other side of the valley
A great view up Wharfedale to Birks Fell, Buckden Pike and Great Whernside
Burnsall by the loop in the river
A steep descent and I'll soon be back in Burnsall