Sunday 30 August 2015

Feizor and Wigglesworth Scar

Distance: 12 miles
Ascent:
Weather: mostly overcast with sunny spells
Kestrel, buzzards, cows

We set off from Settle north along the Ribble Way, which followed the riverside for a short distance and then turned away along a path through fields that runs next to the lane, but most people preferred to play with the traffic. We headed up on to the hills through sheep fields, throwing in some zigs and zags down to Little Stainforth and back up passed Smearsett Scar.

We made a loop around Wharfe Woods and through Oxenbar Woods, which were very pretty and included belted Galloway cows (one of whom was quite startled.) We had lunch here and attempted (with poor results) some birdwatching.

Returning, we passed Feizor (which has a very popular cafe) and walked along Wigglesworth scar, a a very dramatic edge with good views, limestone outcrops and a small cave to look in. A short break was had at the quarry, where I proceeded to throw Vimto over Rob in a moment of hoverfly related excitement, and then we returned to town down a loopy track with more cows.


Saturday 29 August 2015

Settle Caves and Forces

Distance: 10 miles
Ascent:
Weather: sunshine and showers
Kestrels, crows, bunnies,  pippets,  wheatear, lucky ducks on rocks, bunnies

We left Settle and headed east up to the hills, visiting a hill with a trig point and some bog.  Coming down,  we skirted some bog and cows, attempted to visit a cave and gave up as it was much higher up than it looked from below the scree.

We went to visit Victoria and Jubilee Caves, which were very cave-y (clearing the litter of someone's lunch.)

Crossing the style we saw some geology 2 out of 3 again) and some erratics (one of which was being closely investigated by a chap in a 4x4 who was determined to park really near to it) and stopped for lunch,  in rain showers.

The afternoon had two waterfalls and a very pretty walk along the River Ribble. At the end of the walk we crossed the bridge and headed back up to the Pennine Bridleway and back into Settle.