Day 3 - Saturday 10 May 2014
Cray to Ribblehead (14.1 miles)
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Leaving Cray after another hearty breakfast we walked down the lane into Hubberholme to get back on The Dales Way. We were staying in Ribblehead tonight therefore we would be heading off route later also. It was drizzling as we left the pub and the forecast did not look too clever for later in the day either - shame as this promised to be a super days walking.
Hubberholme is a lovely little hamlet complete with a pub and the church of St Michael & All Angels. The Yorkshire born author J B Priestley described the church as 'one of the smallest and most pleasant places in the world'. His ashes are scattered in the churchyard.
Passing through the churchyard we then rejoined the Wharfe which was to accompany us to Oughtershaw. This section was good old flat walking and was a super stretch in between the rainy spells. We then passed through the tiny hamlet of Yockenthwaite before heading along to Deepdale where, despite the weather there were plenty of people about on the opposite bank.
The Georgian farmhouse at Yockenthwaite
To coin a naval expression - it was a bit "Harry Roughers" along the Wharfe for these ducks
Beckermonds - luckily there was a bridge to the right in order to cross the gushing Wharfe
Just before reaching Beckermonds, we came across a few canoeists who were clearly enjoying the extreme conditions that the Wharfe was throwing up today. Passing Beckermonds, there was now just over a mile of road walking into Oughtershaw although we saw very few cars today. There are efforts being made to try and divert the path to avoid the road but as yet there is no solution.
The Celtic Cross in Oughtershaw erected to commemorate Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee in 1887
Dave at Swarthygill Farm just past Oughtershaw - as wet as an Otter's pocket!
From Oughtershaw the Dales Way joins a very good track as far as Swarthygill Farm where the path becomes rough and indistinct in places. The weather was beginning to get pretty unpleasant and we were glad to get to Cam Houses and, although we had difficulty finding it, we were glad to emerge on to the Cam High Road which was at last firm underfoot. The Cairn on Cam High Road, at 1706 feet is the highest point on The Dales Way and is also where the route joins The Pennine Way for a short time until Cam End.
Cam Houses Farm
Cam High Road - as you can see visibility was poor here!
The bridge over Gayle Beck looking towards Far Gearstones
Looking back to Gayle Beck and Cam End
Crossing the bridge over Gayle Beck, we soon arrived at the B6255 Ribblehead to Hawes road at Far Gearstones - so far we had not seen any other walkers all day, not surprising considering the weather. This is where we left the official route and made our way the mile and a half down the road to The Station Inn at Ribblehead, our lodgings for the night. We were quite tired when we reached the pub as the weather had really made the going quite tough today and it was good that the rain finally abated as we finished the days walking. The Station Inn was very busy with walkers and bikers and we headed off to our basic yet comfortable, if slightly small room to sort ourselves out. As we were too far from anywhere else, we ate in the pub and the food was very good, as was the real ale. A fitting end to a very wet day.
Overnight Accommodation
Station Inn, Ribblehead - http://www.thestationinn.net
Smallest room we have ever stayed in but the food made up for it. A great situation right next to the Ribblehead Viaduct.
Smallest room we have ever stayed in but the food made up for it. A great situation right next to the Ribblehead Viaduct.
Day 3 Data
Mileage
Cumulative Mileage Time Start Finish Cumulative Time |
14.1 miles
45.5 miles 5hrs 50m 0920 1510 19hrs |