A circuit of the fells around Malham Tarn and Littondale, formed from a group of six new Dewey 500m hills and completed by traversing several of the familiar mountains of the area.
A backpack of contrasts in both scenery and numbers of walkers, the well used paths and tracks in the areas of limestone-encrusted greenery near Malham Tarn were positively heaving with day trippers and walkers, but the Access Land areas away from public paths were completely deserted. During the first afternoon on the limestone High Marks, and the whole of the second day on the long moorland traverse of Birks Fell, I didn’t see a single person, even from a far distance.
This western quarter of the Yorkshire Dales isn’t in our top drawer of backpacking regions these days, mainly because much of the region has the general feel of elevated farmland rather than wilderness country, more akin to country rambling and its attendant popularity than the wild backpacking that usually prevails. Nevertheless the extensive limestone geology has endowed it with a special quality that lifts it a few notches above the commonplace and this trip was a highly enjoyable one.
8 Comments
I always forget how varied the Yorkshire Dales are. A great looking route alternating between Limestone and moorland. Alas I would fear get tangled up in a snaking line of ramblers. Now that would not do!
That’s an interesting walk there Geoff. An area I know pretty well but you went over a good number of paths that I’ve never touched.
James - a good area for an occasional backpack, there are still quite a few tops left to visit. Lines of ramblers are highly likely in some parts!.
Phil - using the Dewey tops to construct routes has been very successful in that way, most are well off the beaten track.
Hi Geoff - great report and photo’s of an area we know well, but sadly haven’t visited much over the last few years. Hoping to put that right though very soon though!
Gary …
Gary,
Thanks very much. Despite the popularity of the the Dales there are very few online reports on some of its areas like Birks Fell and - especially - the High Marks, and these are usually deserted. Plenty to discover.
About to undetake a long walk from Hawes to my home in lower wharfedale next month. Inspired by your blog, I want to spice it up with a spot of wildcamping. For the first nights stop I was considering a pitch around Fountains Fell Tarn, however its a place I haven’t actually visited and so wondered if you consider it a good place to camp for the eve?
Paul,
Sounds like a great walk.
Where I approached the tarn from the thin path on the SW side, it’s nicely secluded and very few people go that way, but I remember that the terrain near the tarn at that point is generally very uneven, heathery and tussocky. You might have to hunt around a while to find a suitably flat spot.
Thanks for the advice Geoff. I’ll plan to arrive there with plenty of daylight left just in case….
Keep up the good work on this superlative site….