(Image: Jonathan Smith)
Crummackdale, a hidden gem.
I make no bones about it, this walk is one of my three favourites in the Yorkshire Dales.
The spectacular limestone scenery, the easy walking on quiet paths, the breathtaking views, and the Norber Erratics all combine for an excellent day.
Park in the attractive village of Austwick before heading past the Game Cock and school to a road on your left, heading uphill to Town Head.
Take it.
On leaving the buildings, ignore the first footpath sign on your left and, upon arrival at a lane on your left, take that.
Austwick map
(Image: Jonathan Smith)
A few metres further, a stile crosses on the right, leading to an open field.
Initially, follow the farm track uphill towards the rocky slopes above, but do not follow it through a gate; carry straight on to a stile tucked under a small rock face on the higher land.
From here, you enter access land, which means you have the right to roam away from any path.
This is useful as the path is intermittent.
Head north/uphill, initially steeply, along the path leading to an obvious ladder stile over a wall.
For this mile, there is a series of boulders and exposed limestone rock.
Interestingly, the boulders (known as erratics, 'rock that should not be there') are of Silurian Slate and were transported here by the retreating glaciers 18,000 years ago.
Austwick to Proctors Scar
(Image: Jonathan Smith)
They sit atop the softer limestone and make a spectacular sight, many of the boulders perched upon a small stand of limestone.
From the ladder stile, there is a grassy path to the east of the plateau on your right, which is the easiest way of passing through this section of limestone.
However, to really enjoy the geography, head a little to your left and climb onto the higher land and pick your way through the exposed limestone.
As long as you aim roughly north, you cannot go wrong.
After a further mile, the land starts to drop through some low rocky outcrops; follow this direction until meeting a wide farm track heading right and downhill.
Pass through the gate to the left (as you drop towards it), the farm of Crummack, and head north along an intermittent path.
Ahead is a ring of rock, part of the spectacular Moughton Scars.
¾ of a mile across the field is a ladder stile under the scar.
Climb over and emerge onto a wide plateau of exposed rock.
This is part of the most spectacular limestone pavement area in England, part of the Ingleborough Nature Reserve.
The views over the pavements to Pen-y-Ghent are superb.
On emerging on the scar, turn right, and a path appears in places close to the edge.
Pick your way along the edge for just over half a mile till the land falls and meets an obvious path, a Green Lane.
Turn right and head back into the lower dale.
The lane meanders along the valley floor, heading south, for over a mile until it meets a second track near a river ford/traditional sheep wash.
Turn left on this wider farm track and enter the village of Wharfe.
Turn right on entering the village, pass the farm, and into a lane surrounded by fields.
Follow this lane for ½ a mile across a bridge over a stream until it meets a quiet tarmac road.
This road leads back to Austwick.
FACT BOX:
Distance: Roughly 8 miles.
Height Climbed: 340m (1,115 feet).
Start: SE 767684.
There is parking on the road leading into the village from the A65.
Difficulty: Medium/Hard.
Limestone rock can be slippery in the wet, particularly over Moughton Scars.
In the dry, it is all very straightforward.
Refreshments: The Game Cock is a fine pub in Austwick, perfect for an after-walk pint (or coffee).
Be Prepared:
The route description and sketch map only provide a guide to the walk.
You must take out and be able to read a map (O/S Explorer 2) and in cloudy/misty conditions a compass (essential on this walk).
You must also wear the correct clothing and footwear for the outdoors.
Whilst every effort is made to provide accurate information, walkers head out at their own risk.
Please observe the Countryside Code and park sensibly.
Recommended reading
Try this lovely, forgotten dale with an excellent short walk onto the Pennine Way
Abbeys, castles and riverside views on scenic Masham to Middleham walk
Woodland and waterside views on 'stunning'North Yorkshire countryside walk
Jonathan runs Where2walk, a walking company based in the Yorkshire Dales:
He has written four books on walking in the Dales: ‘The Yorkshire 3 Peaks’, ‘Walks without Stiles’, ‘The Dales 30’, and a guide to ‘The Bracken Way'.
Please visit Where2walk, where you can buy the books.
Jonathan runs Navigation Training Courses from Long Preston and Reeth.
The next ‘Introduction to Navigation’ course is at Reeth on the 5th of September.
You can buy the Dales 30 Guide Book, T-shirts, and branded caps from the new Dales 30 website.
Start the challenge today.
Where2walk.co.uk features hundreds of walks with descriptions across Yorkshire and beyond, from easy strolls to harder climbs.
Visit the website for details of all these walks, guiding days, and navigation.