31st May 2014 - Across High Cote Moor and back

Walk Details

Distance walked: 12.2 miles

Total ascent: 1747 ft

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

Time taken: 7 hrs

Route description: Arncliffe-Monk's Road-Malham Tarn-Street Gate-Arncliffe Cote-Littondale-Arncliffe

I realised earlier this week that it had been more than two months since my last walk in the Yorkshire Dales. It's not often that I've gone that long without a visit. So, after having a think about where to go I decided on Arncliffe in Littondale. I've been there a few times and always enjoyed a quiet walk. Unfortunately after a bright start the cloud soon filled in and it was rather gloomy for the moorland crossing to Malham Tarn and back. At least the sun came out for the walk back up Littondale.

From Arncliffe I took the track by the side of the Falcon Inn that becomes the Monk's Road path over to Malham Tarn. I then followed the Pennine Way out to the road. After a stop for an ice-cream a road walk brought me to Street Gate and the bridleway back across the moors to Arncliffe Cote. Another short road walk on Out Gang Lane and I was by the River Skirfare and the path up the valley to Arncliffe.

Many thanks to Angela, fellow member of the Online Fellwalking Club for identifying the wildflowers. I only know the obvious ones.

Route map

Leaving Arncliffe on the Monk's Road path. It heads up the hillside ahead.

Looking up Littondale

and back down to Arncliffe

Bird's Eye Primrose. There were lots of wildflowers on the hillside above Arncliffe.

Including Early Purple Orchid

The path crosses the hillside above Cowside Beck

Cowside Beck below

Mountain Pansy. Lots of these were flowering today, all of them of the yellow variety though they do come in other colours.

Approaching the disused buildings of Middle House, not far to go to reach Malham Tarn

Despite the overcast conditions a field of buttercups and cow parsley provide some colour

My lunch stop by Malham Tarn

Malham Tarn from its outflow. I'll go and pay the ice-cream van a visit that's parked where the Pennine Way crosses the nearby road.

Not exactly ice-cream weather but I still enjoyed a 99, it's not often I get the chance to have one mid-walk. Time to head back. Street Gate is ahead where the bridleway across the moors to Arncliffe Cote begins.

Grey and hazy conditions

Great Close Hill and the moorland I crossed on my outbound route

I'm on the right track then and about half way across

Heading down and the path aims for the valley of Cote Gill, in the middle of the picture. The high fell in the distance is Great Whernside.

A couple of shots of Cote Gill

Just fifteen minutes after the photos above and what a difference as the cloud breaks up and the sun comes out. Arncliffe Cote and Littondale isn't far to go.