360 from the trig point at the top of Skipton Moor.
Babs Boot 6th Eyelet
RFM Blue Line
Walking with Nev
21/06/26
This was one of those walks with just one hill but it was a good one. It was straight up for about 11/2 miles and in places the way was really steep. Then down the other side and around the canal, back through Skipton.
It was hot but breezy enough to make the walking conditions just about perfect.
We parked on Shortbank Road in Greatwood and set off straight up the hill. Even the road was really steep. The well walked path provided some shade and had an unusual stone strewn base. It is obviously a stream in the wet and there are some stones denoting a pathway but it was difficult to walk over regardless of the slope.
Pretty soon we were quite high up and the views were starting to look good especially on this clear sunny day. There was still plenty of tree cover and we were passed by a couple of runners with and without dogs.
The trees and bare root strewn paths gave the area an ambience where the woodland spirits surely must reside.
We were at the first level of the climb and the day could not be better. Venka is getting much better at these hills. I think she is enjoying them now. I still think they are better than tow paths.
Through the woods and then up this vertiguous slope to the moor. This is a proper slope any slip and you are in trouble. Fun but you have to be careful.
In places the path was hard to find so we did do a bit of yomping over the not too wet bog but the route wasn't too bad. We passed an elderly pair of ladies and had a brief chat, mainly admiring the view. They informed us they were going to have their bananas and explained that bananas and oranges should not be left on the hills. We agreed.
Finally after a steep scramble up a long steep grassy slope we reached the Trig point.
The 360 view is a brilliant example of why we love Yorkshire.
Happy to reach the summit.
The 2 ladies were enjoying their bananas and the view as the sat on the ridge below us.
We each added a stone onto the poignant cairn at the end of the ridge.
As we headed down the grassy slope through the sheep fields Skipton was dominating the view.
The noisy bikes were no problem. They kept out of our way and looked like they were doing no harm.
We were off the hill and onto a country lane. A guy was weed killing his drive edging stones and he stopped to have a chat. We admired his rockery and he explained how the farmer had dropped the big rocks off for him using farm equipment. He then said that he had met an archaeologist who was in the area to check up on some cup and ring prehistoric carvings. This photo is from the internet. The archaeologist examined his rocks and said that some of them were the ones from the moor with the cup and rings. Not something I would have told anyone, but there you are.
The small Tortoiseshell butterfly was a joy to see.
We followed the lane down and crossed the canal before going onto the towpath. We followed the towpath for a couple of miles into Skipton. We passed quite a few people but they were all tourists so there were no dogs to stroke. We even waved to the tourists on a sight seeing boat. All good fun.
Skipton is a tourist magnet and it is very nice. the fish and chips smelled great and I wass sorely tempted. I prefer this little area just off the tourist area and wonderfully atmospheric. The Yorkshire stone buildings are comfortable and warm.
We passed the church and the castle.
We walked back through the town and along Newmarket Street back to Shortbank Road and the car.
The Babs Boot walks are in memory of Babs and she was in our conversation quite often on this walk. Its also part of the Dales High Way which we are progressing along quite nicely.
This walk was dominated by the hill. That was a very steep ascent but the views were worth the climb.
OS map
https://explore.osmaps.com/route/32586856/babs-boot-6th-eyelet--rfm-blue-line?lat=53.95659&lon=-2.01266&zoom=13.4173&style=TopoAuto&type=2d
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