The Ultimate Guide to Four Reservoir Circular Walks in Yorkshire
Explore the beauty of the English countryside with these circular walks in Yorkshire, featuring trails of varying lengths around picturesque reservoirs, catering to walkers of all abilities.
Discover the Swinsty Reservoir circular walk, perfect for enthusiasts of all ages. Spanning a distance of 3 miles, this scenic route offers tranquility and leisure.
Visit https://www.paulbeal.com/swinsty-reservoir-circular-walk
For those just beginning or bringing along their children, the Fewston Reservoir circular walk is an ideal choice. Covering 4 miles, it’s designed to be user-friendly while still capturing the essence of the reservoir.
Visit https://www.paulbeal.com/fewston-reservoir-circular-walk
The Swinsty Reservoir walk provides a lengthier experience at 7 miles and allows walkers to enjoy the beauty of Fewston Reservoir en route.
Visit https://www.paulbeal.com/swinsty-reservoir-walk
Lastly, for those seeking a comprehensive experience, the Fewston Reservoir walk spans 10 miles, exploring not just the Fewston but also the vastness of the Swinsty Reservoir.
Visit https://www.paulbeal.com/fewston-reservoir-walk
Launching the Danby Walk Guide Through the North York Moors
Exciting news for all you walking enthusiasts looking for great circular walks in Yorkshire! I’ve just launched a detailed guide to the North York Moors’ Danby walk on my website. A 12½-mile journey through the breathtaking landscapes of the North York Moors, featuring spectacular views of Little Fryup Dale and Great Fryup Dale.
Highlights of the Danby walk:
- Start from the heart of Danby, a lovely village.
- Explore the Ainthorpe Rigg moorland.
- Marvel at the views into Little Fryup Dale and Great Fryup Dale.
- Conclude with a peaceful trek through Danby Park’s woodlands.
I’ve made it easy for you to dive into the details. Visit my website for in-depth route descriptions, and access handy tools on OS Maps and Outdooractive platforms – including route downloads, 3D fly-overs, and more!
Visit https://www.paulbeal.com/danby-walk
Embracing the Mountainous Landscapes of the Lake District
The topography of the Lake District, characterised by its mountain ranges and valleys, naturally lends itself to numerous horseshoe walks. These are circular, high-level routes that frequently incorporate a ridge or a series of peaks, typically winding around the top of a valley.
Examples of such walks include the Fairfield Horseshoe, the Coledale Horseshoe, the Mosedale Horseshoe, the Deepdale Horseshoe, and the Newlands Horseshoe.
Adding to this list is the Kentmere Horseshoe, details of which I’ve just published on my website. This route is fairly lengthy and challenging, spanning about 13 miles and taking 7-8 hours to complete, but, like the others, it offers amazing views and is exceptionally rewarding.
I recommend attempting the Kentmere Horseshoe on a pleasant spring or summer day. For further details, including parking, walk statistics, maps, and photos, please visit my website page below.
Visit https://www.paulbeal.com/kentmere-horseshoe
A Memorable Expedition to Great Gable from Honister Slate Mine
Last year, my friends and I decided to tackle a Great Gable walk, starting from Honister Slate Mine, on the B5289 Honister Pass road between Rosthwaite and Buttermere in the Lake District. We had four Wainwrights in our sights: Grey Knotts, Brandreth, Green Gable, and Great Gable – not that we’re hardcore Wainwright Baggers or anything!
After parking, we hopped out of our cars and were immediately greeted by the daunting sight of the steep path leading up to Grey Knotts. A quick look around confirmed I wasn’t the only one thinking, “What have we gotten ourselves into?” accompanied by a few mumbled expletives from the group. But, ever determined (or maybe just too stubborn to back down), we started the climb.
Slow and steady, we made our way up, reaching the summit of Grey Knotts and ticking off our first Wainwright. Next, we headed south-west towards Brandreth, our boots squelching through the boggy bits. Pro tip: sticking close to the fence line helps with not getting lost!
Our journey then took us south across the grassy expanses, down into Gillercomb Head and back up again to Green Gable, the third Wainwright. After a brief dip into Windy Gap, we faced the rocky ascent to Great Gable. Reaching the summit, we took our time exploring, especially around Westmorland Cairn and White Napes, taking in the incredible views down to Wast Water.
The descent from Great Gable was a bit of a nerve-wracker, carefully picking our way down the north-west slopes, through rocky terrain and slippery sliding scree. We then veered east, passing under the imposing Gable Crag, and headed north, below Greengable Crag, along Moses’ Trod and across the fells.
Wrapping up, the path eased up, leading us past Fleetwith and down a stone track by Bell Crags, back to where we started at Honister Slate Mine. Though it was challenging, our Great Gable walk was definitely a memorable experience, filled with a mix of laughter, a few grumbles, and of course, the usual sense of achievement.
Visit https://www.paulbeal.com/great-gable-walk
Clockwise or Anti-Clockwise Around the Lake District Newlands Horseshoe
A few weeks ago, I shared details on my website about the Newlands Horseshoe walk, a remarkable high-level walking route encircling the Newlands Beck valley in the Lake District. The route, starting from Gutherscale just north-east of Skelgill, proceeds in a clockwise direction, encompassing the five Wainwrights: Catbells, Maiden Moor, High Spy, Dale Head, and Hindscarth. The walk offers spectacular views throughout its 10½-mile length.
Visit https://www.paulbeal.com/newlands-horseshoe-walk
Of course, the Newlands Horseshoe can also be undertaken in an anti-clockwise direction, starting from various points. I’ve just published a variation of the route starting from Little Town, incorporating a shortcut that reduces the distance to 9½ miles. I invite you to explore this engaging alternative.
Visit https://www.paulbeal.com/newlands-horseshoe
The webpage provides comprehensive walk statistics and includes some of my photographs, offering a glimpse of what to anticipate on the trail.
Reflecting on a Challenging Trek in the Lake District’s Varied Terrains
I’ve just republished an account of a trek we took just a couple of years ago in the Lake District, and oh, how I wish we had gone the other way round!
Starting from Bowscale, we ventured westward, climbing towards Bowscale Tarn through beautiful landscapes. The initial part of our journey was simply enchanting.
After descending to cross the River Caldew, we passed through the stunning valley between Bowscale Fell and Carrock Fell. The climb to Coomb Height, however, proved challenging due to the steep path and the scorching heat.
The journey along the Cumbria Way to High Pike and the ascent of Carrock Fell were all fairly straightforward, offering peaceful moments and delightful views along the way.
However, the descent from Carrock Fell was a challenge, and quite nerve-wracking. The steep slope covered in slippery, unstable scree made things rather precarious, and we often found ourselves slipping on our backsides.
Reaching the small tarmac road at the bottom, which led us back to our starting point at Bowscale, was a relief. Being back on solid ground never felt so good.
Looking back, understanding now that climbing up Carrock Fell on the scree would have been easier than climbing down—a common case with Lake District scree slopes—I’d recommend taking the route anti-clockwise instead of clockwise.
Despite these challenges, this walk is one I thoroughly recommend. The views from High Pike are exceptionally stunning, making all the effort well worth it.
Visit https://www.paulbeal.com/carrock-fell-walk
Discover Teesdale Using My Guide to the High Force Waterfall Walk
Have you had the chance to explore the High Force waterfall in Teesdale? If not, I highly recommend it. I’ve just updated and republished a guide for a 7-mile circular walk on my website.
The journey begins at Bowlees, leading you down well-marked paths that not only bring you face to face with the majestic High Force but also take you past the serene Bleabeck Force and the picturesque Low Force waterfalls. This route offers a unique opportunity to experience some of the most stunning waterfalls in the area, all within a manageable distance.
I’ve detailed the entire route, complete with personal photos and tips, to help you make the most of your adventure. Check out the guide on my website.
Visit https://www.paulbeal.com/high-force-waterfall-walk
Highly Rated Osprey Hiking Backpacks for Outdoor Enthusiasts
Osprey’s reputation for crafting high-quality hiking backpacks is well-established, offering a range of options that cater to both men and women. The following four backpacks stand out for their excellent sales and customer ratings on Amazon, making them a top choice for outdoor enthusiasts seeking reliability and comfort. As an Amazon affiliate, I may earn a small commission from any purchases made through the links provided. This helps support the upkeep of this website. Rest assured, you won’t pay a penny extra, but your purchase will contribute to keeping my site running smoothly. Happy walking!
Osprey Tempest 20 Women’s Hiking Backpack
The Tempest 20 stands out as the ideal solution for day-hiking, biking, or peak-bagging, tailored specifically for women. It features a panel-loading design for ease of access, complemented by an internal zippered mesh pocket with a key clip for secure storage. Unique to this model are the Stow-on-the-Go trekking pole and LidLock bike helmet attachments, enhancing its versatility. Side stretch mesh pockets, along with an easy-access, expandable stretch mesh harness pocket, offer ample storage. Additionally, it includes a blinker light attachment (light not included) and a large stretch mesh front panel pocket for extra carrying capacity.
Osprey Talon 22 Men’s Hiking Backpack
Designed for the active adventurer, the Talon 22 provides an optimal panel-loading design suitable for day-hiking, biking, or peak-bagging. Key features include dual-zippered panel access to the main compartment and a tuck-away ice ax attachment with a bungee tie-off. It boasts a top panel zippered slash pocket for quick access items and lower side compression straps for load management. An external hydration reservoir sleeve and dual-zippered fabric hipbelt pockets enhance hydration and storage, while a large stretch mesh front panel pocket increases its utility for various activities.
Osprey Tempest 30 Women’s Hiking Backpack
The Tempest 30, designed with a women’s-specific fit, is a streamlined top-loader ideal for both extensive day trips and light-and-fast overnight adventures. It includes a fixed top lid with an external zippered slash pocket and an under-lid zippered mesh pocket with a key clip for organised storage. The pack features a tuck-away ice ax attachment with a bungee tie-off, dual upper and lower side compression straps for load adjustment, and an external hydration reservoir sleeve. For added convenience, it offers an easy-access, expandable stretch mesh harness pocket and dual-zippered fabric hip-belt pockets.
Osprey Talon 33 Men’s Hiking Backpack
The Talon 33 is engineered for dynamic movement, making it the perfect streamlined top-loader for committed day trips or light-and-fast overnight excursions. It features top load access to the main compartment for easy packing and retrieval. The backpack is equipped with a large stretch mesh front panel pocket, Stow-on-the-Go trekking pole attachment, and stretch mesh side pockets for versatile storage options. Additionally, an easy-access, expandable stretch mesh harness pocket and dual-zippered fabric hip-belt pockets offer convenient storage solutions for essential gear.