| Walk: | Sulber Nick, Selside, Low Birkwith, Nether Lodge, Gods Bridge, Dismal Hill, Old Ing returning via the Pennine Way to Horton in Ribblesdale. | ||
| Start Point: | Horton in Ribblesdale car park (£3-50) | Grid Reference: | SD 807 725 |
| Distance: | 11 miles | Ascent: | 1,231 feet |
| Time: | 6.5 hrs | ||
| Weather: | Clear at the start with rain before lunch. Dry in the afternoon with mist kissing the tops of Penyghent, Ingleborough and Whernside at times. | ||
| Comments: | After a slightly delayed start, due to
the closure of a slip road on the M6, twelve members and the leader
departed Horton in Ribblesdale to first cross the railway by the
station. Over the railway began a steady ascent through Sulber Nick
with outcrops of limestone and an odd tree struggling to survive. As
the group ascended, the rain came down and up until lunch a game of
“waterproofs on – waterproofs off” took place. Passing through lots
of meadows, where views of the “Three Peaks” were possible, the
party then emerged on to a lane at Selside. At Selside the path by
Selside Beck and over the River Ribble and by Coppy Gill was taken
to Lower Beckwith. Here, a pleasant Farmer's Wife advised the group
that the official path was not by a bridge over Coppy Beck but by
paddling across the beck at a ford from the farm yard. Fortunately
the water was not too deep! Shortly after the farm at Lower Beck the
party were afforded a dryer crossing of Cam Beck by a bridge built
by Settle High School in 1988. Alas the other side of the bridge
consisted of high grass and flora that hid – over the boot top –
levels of water. Finding a dryer route, the group arrived at Nether
Lodge where a graceful timber bridge spanned Ling Gill Beck. Turning
right here, the hungry group arrived at Gods Bridge and partook of
lunch whilst watching Brow Gill Beck disappear under the bridge. After lunch the path started to ascend towards Dismal Hill. On the way the merry band met some “Cavers”, who informed them that there were a number of caves in the area, and that even with heavy recent rain the caves where quite dry. Skirting the north of Dismal Hill on the Pennine Way the group then turned south near Birkwith Moor continuing along the Pennine Way towards Horton in Ribblesdale. Looking west across the valley of the River Ribble one could see the area of countryside that the party had passed through earlier in the day in the rain. The last leg of the walk was mainly down hill on a wide stone track and for some was a little tiring on the feet. The leader did us proud and it is hoped that she will lead again. |
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Scroll down to see photos of the walk
Pen-y-Ghent at 10.15am
Information for travellers
Pen-y-Ghent seen from Horton in Ribblesdale Station
Things do grow on stony ground
Heading for Sulber Nick
A creature from beneath the earth
Did this gate replace twin stiles?
Through Sulber Nick towards a misty Ingleborough
Harebells in the rain
Entering and leaving Selside
The ducks scatter as . . .
the Ramblers arrive for a paddle at Low Birkwith
This bridge was built by . . .
Settle High School in July 1988
Roger reads the plaque
Beware - water below
We didn't cross the bridge at Nether Lodge
Brow Gill Beck disappearing under Gods Bridge
Believed to be a device used for stamping cards used by Three Peaks Challengers
Along the upward trail to Dismal Hill
Eight down - three to go
A gentleman helps a damsel in distress
Downhill to Horton-in-Ribblesdale on the Pennine Way
Another glimpse of Ingleborough