Escholt RFM Blue Line Walking with Theo

 

Escholt 

RFM Blue Line 

Walking with Theo

25/03/2026




This was the first long walk with Loki and Theo but Loki wasn't available so Theo and I went on our own. I'm sure Loki will make the next walk as we explore the area north of Bradford before starting the Dales High Way.


The start at Simpson Green gave us great views over the Aire Valley towards the woods at Escholt. The day was cold and crystal clear, ideal for walking. We were dressed for cold weather necessary early but less so as the walk progressed and the day warmed nicely.



At the bottom of Apperley Bridge we crossed the canal swing bridge and the bridge over the mighty winter full Aire river. 

Alongside the road we climbed up past The Stansfield Arms and the Methodist Chapel at Woodhouse Grove School.


We crossed the railway at Apperley Viaduct and then headed onto the trail in the woods. The rainbow was a nice touch.





We followed a path close to the route that Theo suggested was a nicer path and it was. 

I just love these old railway bridges and although we didn't go under this one it was still cool to see. This railway was really busy with lots of trains passing by. There were a few dog walkers and they all were friendly and exchanged greetings.
We chose to go through Gill Wood rather than down the slope and again it was a good decision as the path was reaatively easy and wonderfully wooded. We met a guy birdwatching and spent a good 10 minutes discussing bird watching and what was in the neighbourhood. Its always interesting and valuable to chat on a walk.


The route into Spring Wood was obviously a remnant of an industrial past but the surface was rutted and muddy as it had not been maintained and why should it be. I like the way the old industries slowly sink back into the landscape or even disappear from the landscape altogether. This is a place Theo loves to ride his bike and he was keen to show me the routes.

The old quarry was actually quite spectacular.


Another train passed us as we reached the incongruous large ornate gate posts. We speculated as to the reason for the gate posts. Was this the site of a lost stately home. The route is called Welcome Way which would suggest a residential rather than industrial origin. Its great to speculate and sometimes to google later but in this case I will leave it as a mystery. 



We started to follow another railway which dived underground into Escholt Tunnel.



Some of the slopes were sharply steep but it was a lovely wood and in this light rather beautiful. Theo indicated that these woods were well used by mountain bikers and on a weekend runners and walkers. The lack of rubbish was a credit to the people who use this area recreationally, well done Bradford.



We diverted from the planned route through Jerrison Wood so Theo could show me the mountain bike trail and jumps. I wanted to be 13 again so I could get on my bike and try them. I told Theo how we found and built our bikes from the local tip. I then had to explain what a local tip was.  As the saying goes the young look forward and the old look back. 



Dropping out of the wood we entered Escholt from behind and Theo reminded me it was the real life stage set for Emmerdale.

And there was The Woolpack. I haven't watched any soap for about 30 years but I did like Emmerdale in its first few years in the 1970's


We were now in the bottom of the Aire Valley heading along Escholt Lane. The horse was looking for titbits as it tried to nibble Theo's arm.




The small horse was in with the big black horse and I thought it was a foal but now I think it was probably a Shetland or some thing similar. Not sure about the chimneys but they were a landmark.


The river was full but not in flood.





We bravely passed through a field of horses after I explained to Theo my policy of risk assessing animals in a field before entering. To be fair he did point out the woman who had already passed them, maybe not as brave as I thought.



Then we were onto the footbridge over the impressive river at the turning point of this walk.





It was a long easy walk alongside the canal back to Apperley Bridge. The views were good. The wood on the other side of the canal is called Buck Wood and we speculated as to the former use of the wood as a deer hunting area for the aristocracy. And the battle between poachers and gamekeepers. Ok its a fetch but why not it passes the time.



Back at the canal below Theo's house we could see his mum on the balcony waving. She must have been following us on Life 360. That was cool.



Then it was back over the canal bridge and up the hill where we watched a planeful of tourists heading to the sun.
This was a great walk of many contrasts. We talked a lot mainly about nothing of any consequence.
It felt an easy walk but the stats at nearly 9 miles and nearly 700 feet suggest it was a bit harder than I thought. 
The only thing missing was Nev and Loki. Come on guys we need you on our adventures. |Maybe next time.

OS map
https://explore.osmaps.com/route/31170020/esholt-rfm-blue-line?lat=53.85205&lon=-1.74667&zoom=12.6813&style=Leisure&type=2d&overlays=os-obstacles-layer


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Malham RFM Blue Line Walking with the kids

Image
  Malham RFM Blue Line  Walking with the kids This is the classic Malham Circular walk but it isn't a stroll. We arrived at Malham Tarn car park about 10.15 after the sat nav took us there via Settle. It seemed a long way out of the way but I always trust the sat nav so perhaps there were issues between Skipton and Malham, who knows. The bonus was that we got a fantastic view of Pen-y-Ghent and we discussed the options of walking up it in the future. These kids are adventurous. For me the classic Malham circuit starts at the Tarn. This avoids climbing Gordale Scar and allows the best views of the Cove as you approach it from Malham. For seasoned walkers this is a relatively easy circuit but it's not so for the novice. There are some steep up and downs and  lots of rocks and rough ground. The kids were as ever positive and looking forward to the walk. They had researched Malham so were aware of the main attractions and that parts of Harry Potter were filmed there. The cows...
Read more

Sunny Hollow and the New Dam Walking with my sister and my brother

Image
 Sunny Hollow and the New Dam Walking with my sister and my brother 08/07/24 What a treat, a local walk with Mary and Peter. Starting from the High Street Dodworth we head down Polyfoxes towards Dodworth Bottom. A lovely start to the day not too hot, not too cold and sunny. Up Snow Hill and through Intake Crescent we emerge into the countryside opposite Stainborough Low. This is all familiar ground for us and we even remembered where our childhood friends lived on the way through Intake Crescent. Time has passed though and the landscape has changed beyond recognition from the landscape of our childhood. No mines or pit heaps to be seen. Whats left of Sunny Hollow, no dam, no bankings and industrial buildings bordering the hollow haven't improved the outlook at all. If I am honest I would say it is worse today than 60 years ago but, rose tinted glasses alert, afterall this was our playground.  Three kids walking through childhood memories.   We ascend the bank toward the l...
Read more

Issue Edge RFM Blue Line Walking with Peter

Image
Issue Edge  RFM Blue Line  Walking with Peter 05/09/25  Its been a few weeks since we did a Friday walk and this one was a beaut. We met at the car park near the Digley Res and were on the route by 8.00. We started along the hillside with Digley Res to our right. I  hope you like the artistic photo, actually I just had it on the monochrome setting by mistake. This very large tup was enjoying his breakfast. Through the trees the res was clearly at a very low water level. This is a wonderful part of the world for atmospheric light variations as the local artist Ashley Jackson has recorded for many years. This was to be a day of tremendous light variations. We start with a little hill as we slowly climb towards Holme. Even at this low level the weather was threatening, but beautiful. The hills opposite with the great name of Twizzle Head Moss feature in a walking with Lacey blog. It absolutely threw it down that day and blew a gail. The small village of Holme is a seldo...
Read more