Pennine Way – Garsgrave – Hardraw Part I

River Aire below Newfield Bridge

I started walking the Pennine Way in sections some time ago and before I started this blog.  After quite a break walking in other areas of the UK, I have decided to complete this rest of the Way.  By the end of this trip I will getting close to the halfway point of walking the Way.  For this recent trip I will post over several episodes and at some point will post up my earlier sections.

Day 1 Friday 3rd June: Garsgrave to Malham

I arrived at Garside by train around  half past one in the afternoon and stepped out in brilliant sunshine. It was pretty warm as I walked into the village around 26C and I was off walking after quite a long period way from the hills.

Today’s walk would be an easy 7 mile afternoon walk up to Malham and my route would take me through the gentle rolling landscape of the Aire valley. I took the road out of the village and crossed the Leeds to Liverpool canal and soon I was in open countryside.

Leeds to Liverpool Canal

A sign to the left took me up hill for a short distance across a series of fields with cows and sheep lazing around in the hot afternoon sun.

Looking across the Aire Valley

A series of gates, ladder stiles and a kissing gate lead me to a huge field being cut for hay.  There is nothing like the sweet smell of freshly cut grass drying in a warm breeze.

Grass cut for hay

After climbing for a while, I cross a field moving down hill until reaching a road and walking a short distance to cross a small wooden pedestrian bridge across the river Aire.

Aire River

After a short while I found myself  walking through fields of wild flowers and as the sun beat down, may pace slowed and I stopped more and more just to soak up the beautiful english countryside.  I was in no hurry and engaged in slackpacking.   Anyone who is from the UK will know that it is important to seize the moment when good weather appears, as you never know how long it will last. With cries from the curlews and lapwings and the buzz of bumblebees skipping between flowers it was a perfect early summer scene from an English landscape.

Wild flower meadows near Hanlith Hall

Here I was meandering along, beautiful weather, beautiful countryside and the stress and strains of day-to-day life melting away!

The path ended in a wall stile next to the large and recently renovated Hanlith Hall.   A steep pull up a country lane for a few hundred metres and I was back walking in pasture.  As I climbed to the top of the second field, my objective for the day came  into view – Malham Cove and over to the right was Goredale Scar.

Looking towards the village of Malham and the cove

Gordale Scar

I walked steeply down the path and onto a level stretch heading into Malham village.  Presently I arrived in the High Street and was greeted by children running up down the path and jumping in and out the stream.

It was hot and I saw the welcoming sight of the  Buck Inn pub.  I dumped my pack by one of the outside tables that lined the main street and headed to the bar.  It was an easy choice what to drink – Timothy Taylor Landlord Bitter, a favourite of mine often drank when I am in the Dales.

I took the pint outside flopped down and made short work of the pint.  The campsite for the night was just up the road near the Cove and I walked the short distance, checked in and in a few minutes tent was up and a bit of sun bathing was to be had lying on my mat in the warm  evening sun .

The view from my tent door

Dinner over, I took a stroll around the village before retiring to bed.

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