After yesterdays horrendous trek up and over Pen-y-Ghent mountain we decided that we’d walk down in the valleys, and along the riverside. Today’s walk was in beautiful Wharfdale, a classic glaciated valley, filled with lush green pastures, dry stone walls, and picture postcard villages.

The day started off pretty well, the sun was out and although it was a little chilly, it was dry and good walking weather. We commenced our walk in the village of Grassington and headed off to Linton, passing over Linton bridge which straddles a stunning waterfall. The view was impressive, and the sound awe inspiring, you could feel the power of the water cascading over the rocks.

Walking up the peaceful country lanes we soon arrived at Linton village, With its menagerie of bridges and fords. The village has an imposing manor house, and some of the most beautiful cottages in the Yorkshire Dales overlooking the green.

Leaving Linton we passed through a farmyard, with paths covered in the most impressive amount of cow poo! It never ceases to amaze just how much poo you can find in a farm yard, and why does nobody clear it up? I mean, just how hard can it be, dog owners have to pick their poo up. Anyway, we pushed on, with boots like giant poop-a-scoops, and headed off op the hillside.

After a mile or so we reached Thorpe, nestled at the foot of Elbolton, and Kali hills. Thorpe’s a tiny hamlet that surrounds a triangular green, with little redeeming factor, other than the road out of it. By the time we arrived the, drizzle had changed into rain, so we changed into the waterproofs again!

The next leg of our walk took us to Burnsall, a quaint village with an imposing bridge over the river Wharf. However, the village’s most impressive feature was the cafe which served bacon butties. Stuffed full of thick Yorkshire bacon, and wrapped in the biggest, and tastiest baps, they were fantastic. Even the endless rain couldn’t spoil them.

Burnsall was the furthest point from our start, and where we headed back towards Grassington, only this time it was along the riverbanks of the Wharf. This part of the walk is along the Dales way, a popular long distance footpath that snakes through the Dales. In fact, this path is so popular, that the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority have been forced to concrete or metal some of the most worn sections to stop the erosion.

Eventually we came upon Hebden suspension bridge. It sounds grand, but believe me when I say, it’s made of string, rust, and old railway sleepers! It was so wobbly, it was like trying to walk across a bouncy castle, and with me jumping up and down, it didn’t help. That said it was kinda of funny to see Helen holding on for dear life, and the Jack Russell following me, nearly falling in the river.

It was raining so hard by now, that our walk had moved on from a nice stroll in the country to a arduous trek through some of the slipperiest mud you’ll ever come across. So it was a welcome relief to finally get back to Grassington and enjoy a coffee and slice of cake.

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