Walking in Nidderdale
Nidderdale for many people is one of most enjoyable and picturesque places to walk whatever your competence. There are many footpaths to explore including the Nidderdale Way which runs for 53 miles and takes in Pateley Bridge, Gouthwaite Reservoir, Ramsgill, How Stean Gorge and Scar Reservoir.
It was a beautiful clear sunny Sunday afternoon at the end of February when we drove up to Lofthouse to start walking. We were only intending on walking about 5 miles so we selected a route that took in Lofthouse, part of the Nidderdale Way up to Scar reservoir, lunch at the Crown Inn in Middlesmoor, How Stean Gorge and then back to Lofthouse.
We parked the car in the village of Lofthouse opposite the village school where there are also some public toilets. From here you walk up past the Crown pub in Lofthouse out of the village on the Masham road (Thrope Lane). Before the road starts to narrow (Trapping Hill) and climb up the side of the hill, there is a gate to the left which is clearly marked "Nidderdale Way". You stay on this footpath for about 2 miles until you reach a farm house.
At the farm house you turn left off the Nidderdale Way and walk about few hundred yards to the single lane road that runs from Lofthouse to Scar Reservoir. Once on this road, walk back towards Lofthouse about quarter of a mile. On the right-hand side of the road, there is a footpath that heads up the hill in a south- westerly direction to the village of Middlesmoor. This footpath covers several fields and a small copse before you can see the village. Once in the village, head towards The Crown Inn for a well earned pint - I can recommend the Black Sheep - and a bite to eat.
The sun was extremely warm on the day we visited and we were able to sit outside and have lunch as there are a couple of picnic tables. After lunch you walk out of Middlesmoor on the main road past the chapel. On the right-hand side of the road, there is a footpath signposted for Howstean Gorge and the River Nidd. One you reach the bridge at the start of the gorge, follow the footpath to the left of the river until you reach How Stean Gorge itself. You can either pay to explore the gorge or cross over the main bridge from the car park and walk down the road on the right side of the gorge until you reach a camp site.
From here, it is a short walk back to Lofthouse and the village should be easily visible. Stay on the road until you reach a junction near the cricket ground. Turn right and you are back in Lofthouse by the school.
This entry was posted on Saturday August 9th, 2008 at 1:13 PM and is filed under Places to Walk. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response.
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