Skipton Sunday 24th February 2008

Today’s Walks

Strenuous Leader: Jackie Gudgeon   Distance: 11 miles

The strenuous party today will leave the coach at East Marton, about six miles before Skipton. We will start the walk along the Leeds Liverpool Canal for about one mile, then follow the Pennine Way over to Thornton-in-Craven and then to the top of Pinhaw Beacon (388 metres). This is the highest point of the walk, then we descend through Carleton-in-Craven, finishing off with another short stretch of the canal into Skipton. Fairly undulating walk, usual amounts of mud.

Moderate Leader: Jim & Ramlah Eaton   Distance: 8 miles

The highlight of this walk will be the gentle climb up Sharp Haw – a mini mountain in the midst of Flasby Fell. This is a very beautiful and scenic area with splendid views of Pendle, Boulsworth and Buckden Pike. Those of you in the know can point them out to us! We reach this area by carefully crossing a bypass out of town and then scuttling across the golf course (taking heed of the warning signs and cries of “Bloody ramblers!”). Leaving the muttering golfers behind us we then whiz down a lane and cross (care again) the busy Grassington-Skipton road. Finally reaching the glorious Flasby Fell area. After doing Sharp Haw and the panoramic views we will descend into a sheltered woodland area where we may pause for lunch. Then, via woodland trail, fields, stiles and country lanes we make it back to Skipton to partake of the surfeit of Pubs, Cafes and chippies. Great end to a great day.

Leisurely Leader: Philomena Walker   Distance : 7.5 miles

We start off with a bit of a steep climb up to the golf course – this is the steepest climb of the day . We continue over fields and stiles, plus mud, towards Sharp Haw but we pass this by, leaving the moderate walkers to ascend to the trig point. We will now walk through woods (there are amaizing views all round this area) before making our way back to Skipton. If we can find the path we may make a trip to Flasby.

Easy Leader: Sue Beeley   Distance: 5 miles

Todays walk will take us to two lovely villages, Stirton and Thorlby. The scenery around is outstanding. On the return we will follow the canal path back into Skipton (save your bread for the swans). The terrain is mostly flat, however in some areas it can be quite muddy.