Graham Cooper

Selside and Ribblehead

5.9 miles | 9.5 km | 181 m Ascent | 6.8 Naismith miles | Graham Cooper
Just a short distance from home, this walk is easy and short enough to do in a morning or afternoon when the opportunity arises, and the weather promises fine views.
It features great views of the three peaks, a heronry, wild deer, a bailey bridge, listed buildings, nature reserves, academic research sites, and given that it runs along the Settle to Carlisle railway, the off-chance that you will see a steam train or be buzzed by the RAF.
What more could you want in less than 6 miles?

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Norber Erratics

5.9 miles | 9.5 km | 348 m Ascent | 7.6 Naismith miles | Graham Cooper
A quick glance at the “Big Map” page on our website shows just how much Bentham Footpath Group favours Austwick as a base for walks, and a look at today’s gallery clearly shows why.
For this easy walk, we park near the Traddock Inn and stroll through Austwick and out to the Horton Road where we pick up Townhead Lane to start the climb up to the Erratics. When we meet the Pennine Bridleway we take left to enter the fields that lead up to the Erratics, where we explore for a while, before heading across Nappa Scars and over to the Wash Dubs. From there we walk gently downhill to Wharfe and across to Wood Lane which we follow as far as Austwick Bridge, and the Traddock.

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Ribblehead

5.7 miles | 9.2 km | 208 m Ascent | 6.8 Naismith miles | Graham Cooper
Bentham Footpath Group aims to offer a wide choice of walks, showcasing the wonderful area that we live in.
We start at the Ribblehead Viaduct – perhaps the most photographed structure in the Yorkshire Dales, and then set off as if we were heading up Whernside. Just before the Bleamoor signal box though we divert under the railway to track along the contours of Whernside at low level on flat(ish) ground and solid paths. This gives us great views toward Ingleborough.
When we meet the path coming back down from the top of Whernside, we go left down Philpin Lane to pick up the return path along the valley bottom to Haws Gill Wheel. This is the only part of the walk where we need to tread carefully as wet limestone can be slippery.
We follow Winterscales Beck all the way back to Gunnerfleet Farm and then back under the centre of the viaduct to complete the walk

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Airton to Malham Circular

9.1 miles | 14.7 km | 541 m Ascent | 11.8 Naismith miles | Graham Cooper
Malham is one of the “honeypot” destinations in the Yorkshire Dales, so parking can be problematic and crowds can be an issue. This walk cleverly manages to pass through Malham and some of its many attractions whilst starting and finishing in the much more secluded village of Airton.
The walk starts with a long and steady trek up onto Calton Moor climbing more than 500m before merging with The Dales Highway which we follow down to the bottom of Gordale Scar. From there we walk down past Janet’s Foss into Malham where after a short break we head along the Pennine way and the River Aire back down to Airton via Hanlith.

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