Walk: 11am to 5:30pm - 11.6 miles and 2109ft of ascent
At last we awoke to find blue skies and that big yellow thing that rumour has it, is called the sun. Therefore our planned walk could go ahead, but not until after we had ventured into Settle town centre to spend a few pounds at the farmers market. I think I've said in a previous post a few months ago that it's not much of a farmers market, but a few good food stalls so always worth a visit.
The main reason for going there was to buy some curry for tonight's meal, but unfortunately the guys were still setting up so there was nothing to sell - so, we took advantage of the bread stall and of course the cake stall - it would have been rude not to :)
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| View up Swaledale from above Gunnerside |
We headed off just before 10am for the 35 mile drive into the Northern-Dales, planning to park up at Gunnerside. We've been there before but that was to walk up Gunnerside Gill, whereas this time our intention was to come back down the Gill at the end of the walk. We arrived there just before 11am after a fairly uneventful drive, that said, we were a little worried on the way up as we did run into some fairly heavy rain, so it was fingers crossed that we wouldn't see any more during the day. After driving around for a few minutes we found somewhere to park - a struggle as it was fairly busy, and the usual worry if you were parking in a 'local' persons space.
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| Surrender Bridge |
Our route took us eastwards out of the village taking the path above Staney Gill Quarry, heading uphill until we met the bridleway heading in the direction of Feetham. We followed this path for just over a mile then took the path up through Blades and across Feetham Pasture until we met the small road that took us down to Surrender Bridge. As the sun was shining and it was an absolutely beautiful spot below the bridge next to Old Gang Beck, time for a spot of lunch.
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| Old Gang Smelting Mill |
We followed the track along Mill Gill, or Old Gang Beck - not sure exactly what it's called, however it takes you to the Old Gang Smelting Mill which is all that really matters. The ruins were stunning, if only we could see them as they were all those years ago when lead mining was thriving in the area, you can just imagine the noise and the smell. This was well worth the walk.
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| Old Gang Smelting Mill |
After spending 10 or 15 minutes looking around the old buildings and remains of chimneys and tunnels, we continued on the track and up Hard Level Gill to Level House Bridge where we then took the path west above Mellbecks Moor and over towards Gunnerside Gill. The route so far had been really good, great tracks and easy to follow. However, as we neared Gunnerside Gill we started to hit problems.
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| This was near an old mine south of Merry Field |
Firstly where we expected to follow a path down into the Gill we couldn't make out the path - the sign pointed into a steep gully with water running down it - surely that couldn't be right. There was a sign saying 'FP Keld' but we just couldn't make out the path. We decided to continue and take the next path left which was 200-300m further along. That one snaked down High Gorton, but as we got most of the way down it Donna wasn't confident with the exposure on the path, so after 5 minutes mulling over what we should do, we chose to head back.
Our route back took us around 1.5 miles to the 'junction' near Moor House, at which point we took the track over the top of the moor back towards Gunnerside. Around this point the heavens opened and it was time to very quickly pack cameras away, get out the waterproof trousers and seal all our gear - it was so windy and the rain was blowing horizontal on this exposed path. However, thankfully it only lasted 20 or 30 minutes and then the sun came back out again.
The path over the moor was easy walking and nothing really eventful happened, it gave us the chance for our wet clothing and gear to dry out. About an hour's walking and then we dropped back down into a far quiter Gunnerside village and time to set off back to Settle. After walking for over 11 miles and with nearly 200ft of ascent, I'm sure the hot tub back at the cottage will be utilised tonight...
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