Grassington to Conistone circular walk

Saturday 17th June 2023

Walking Diary (All Walks) North Yorkshire & Co Durham Wharfedale

An afternoon visit to Whalley Warm & Dry to sort a small problem with my new boots and there was plenty of time to still enjoy a 10 mile walk in Wharfedale on the way back home. I stopped off in Grassington and decided to walk along the Dales Way Path to Conistone and then walk back alongside the River Wharfe. An easy enough walk in hot and sultry conditions but I've never known the ground so hard and dry and the water levels of the Wharfe be so low. A sign of the amount of rainfall we haven't had recently. But still an enjoyable early evening stroll in this beautiful area of Wharfedale.

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Distance: 7.7 miles
Duration: 3:00 hours
Ascent: 791 ft
Difficulty: Moderate
Accompanied By: On my Own
Weather: Hot & Humid

3D outline of route

Parking

Parked up at Grassington Visitor Centre Car Park.

A very short stroll and I arrived at the centre of the village.

Heading up the cobbled high street, I took a sharp left turn to pick up the Dales Way signposts. You can just spot this one on the wall - I wonder how many people have walked straight on and then had to wander back?

Heading onto Cove Scar and looking back to Grassington as I gradually gain height.

Sweet Side with plenty of interesting limestone rock formations dotted about.

Flashback to times gone by with this Lime Kiln on the Dales Way path.

Time to leave the trail as I branch off to the left and head downwards towards the gorge.

All quiet around here - not a soul in sight all walk, first time I've ever ventured down Conistone Dib, so here goes.

Plenty of scree around here.

The best bit of Conistone Dib, not a challenge at all, but a nice gorge walk all the same.

Arriving in Conistone village.

A bit of road walking followed, not too much. Fortunately it was extremely quiet, as I didn't fancy standing in those nettles to let a car past.

Leaving the roadside and heading into Lower Grass Wood.

Finally reaching the waters edge - and a quite green one today.

The River Wharfe is always a beautiful sight and one of my favourites whether it is wide and powerful or quaint and meandering like in Upper Wharfedale. But today it is just very empty !

As I walked along the river bank, being stalked by a Heron, I may add - I wondered if this was the lowest level the Wharfe had been in recent years.

Ghaistrills Strid

Approaching Grassington Bridge - now time to head back to the car and set off for home - and nice evening walk in a warm and humid Wharfedale.