Sunday 23rd April 2017 - Bolton Abbey, Yorkshire Dales

This month our walks are based on Bolton Abbey, Yorkshire Dales where all walks start and finish. The coach will leave school as usual at 8.00 am prompt.  Boots are essential on all walks.  We plan to leave at 5.30pm to be back in Formby about 7.30pm.   

The cost of travel will be £10.00 for members, £13.00 for non-members and £5.00 for Leaders, children and students in full time education. Please make your cheque payable to Range Walking Club and ensure it is signed as it is inconvenient for the Treasurer to chase up such omissions.

Please send in your return to the Treasurer Monica Sealey before 13th April; places will be booked on the coach by the treasurer on a first come first served basis.

Cancellations: if you need to cancel or make a late booking, please contact the Treasurer on 01704 809287 or by email monicatuk@yahoo.co.uk who will endeavour to substitute your booking from the waiting list.  If you cancel after 13th April and it is not possible to fill your place on the coach, regrettably, we will not be able to give you a refund as coaches will have been booked on initial returns.

Leaders Meeting: Monday 24th April at the Pinewoods commencing at 8.00pm

Club Weekend 1st – 4th June 2017 The Club Weekend will be based at the Best Western Beaumont Hotel in Hexham.  Accomodation in Hexham is limited but rooms are available at the hotel and the guest houses listed on the attached sheet. Please email me at margaretpegg@btinternet.com to let me know if you plan to come on the weekend and then book your room direct with the hotel or one of the guest houses. When booking please let them know you are with the Range Walking Club.

‘A’ Walk Distance: 12 miles Ascent: 2000 ft Leaders: Ken Bryning Shaun Rollinson	Starting at the Bolton Abbey car park we walk through the gate in the surrounding wall and down to the River Wharfe with the remains of Bolton Abbey standing majestically at one side.  The route takes us over the foot bridge (stepping stones are optional!) to the east bank and the Dales Way Path which goes high above the river, again with superb views of the Abbey.  At the wooden bridge opposite the Pavilion we head up to Posforth Gill and the Valley of Desolation heading up towards Barden Fell.  The route follows a shooters track via Truckle Crags to Simon's Seat (485m/1600 ft) where on a good day, like the recce, the whole of Wharfedale stands out in splendour up as far as Great Whernside. Descending steeply in a northerly track towards Dale Head Farm we head to Skyreholme and its associated hamlets with a great view back to the ridge, before heading towards Appletreewick and Stangs Lane.  We meet the river again at Howgill and follow south/south west via Barden Bridge (Ice Cream optional) the Aqueduct, The Strid, towards the Pavilion (tea and cakes?) and back to the coach.
‘B+’ Walk Distance: 10.5 miles Ascent: 1650 ft Leaders: Ray Belcher Ray Webb	The walk will take us from Bolton Abbey and over the River Wharfe at Cavendish Pavilion. After following the river upstream for a short distance we will swing north above Posforth Gill to enter the Valley of Desolation.  Striking out across Bardon Fell we eventually reach Simon's Seat which, at  485m, is the high point of the walk.  After appreciating the view we will descend south-westerly over the fell, dropping down through woodland and Howgill (SE063592) to join the Dales Way alongside the River Wharfe.  The last leg takes us south along the river passing The Strid to reach Cavendish Pavilion. Time permitting, we intend to stop here for a while to enjoy refreshments before returning to the coach.
‘B’ Walk Distance: 8.5 miles Ascent: 1000 ft Leaders: Liz Bellman Louise Pimm	On leaving the Bolton Abbey car park we walk along the road and through the arches to join a footpath going across some very muddy fields ascending to Hare Head Side (boots and gaiters are essential). We continue ascending as we walk around Lower Barden Reservoir now on a stone path, crossing open moorland. As we descend to the River Wharfe we pass the remains of Barden Tower. We join the Dales Way at Barden Bridge and follow this along the side of the river all the way back to the Cavendish Pavilion. Then back to the car park passing the remains of Bolton Priory.
‘C’ Walk Distance: 7 miles Ascent: 660 ft Leaders: Maureen Jacques Keith Jacques Anne Belcher	The walk starts at the north end of the car park. We follow a bridleway through fields ascending to Westybank wood. We continue to climb to Little Hare Head where, weather permitting, there should be good views. The climb will be taken at a comfortable pace with plenty of rest stops. The moorland is muddy in places so good boots and poles are recommended. We then descend from the moorland and enter Strid Nature Trail where there is a cafe and WC. We then walk alongside the River Wharfe on good paths (undulating terrain) passing The Strid and have our final refreshment stop at the Cavendish Pavilion. There is an opportunity to explore Bolton Priory (time permitting) which we pass on our final mile back to the car park.