For those of you that are thinking of going onto the hills I would strongly recommend that you read the advice given by the Mountain Rescue organisation of England and Wales. To read this advice, which will open in a new page please click HERE. If you would like to make a donation to the Mountain Rescue organisation which is purely voluntary please click HERE. Please make the time to read the advice page.

Todays walk was around the Malham Tarn area and included a little exploration of the nearby Roman Marching camp which without the aid of an information sign most people would easily walk by even though it is marked on the OS map. A little dull to start but it soon brightened up and we had the benefit of a nice cooling breeze.

Something we said or did?

Walking to the foot of the tarn.

Malham Tarn with Highfolds Scar above it. Unusual to have standing water in limestone areas but the tarn itself sits on a bed of Silurian slate covered in marl deposits.

A Swaledale Tup.....The emblem of the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority. Unfortunately this chappie was either too busy or a little camera shy.

Not much water flowing out of the tarn with the dry weather.

Looking across the tarn to Fountains Fell. The Pennine Way passes the tarn to make its way over Fountains Fell and then Pen y ghent to Horton in Ribblesdale

Leaving the tarn to pick up the Pennine Way

On the Pennine Way with Great Close Scar on the right. There were los of cows and calves walking below the scar on there way to the tarn.

Plenty of Orchids about.

Our route would take us as far as the trees where we would take a path known as the Monk's Road up to the right

Lots of cows and calves totally disinterested in us.

Turn right!

A look back from the simple climb up the slope

Highfolds Scar from the top of the short climb.

And our way ahead to Middle House farm. The Monk's Road turns left near the farm and makes a lovely walk to the village of Arncliffe in Littondale. A return can be be made from Arncliffe Cote just down the valley.

Never let it be said that Swaledale holds a monopoly on meadows. There are many scattered around the Dales and this was looking gorgeous.

Looking to the gentler side of Great Close Hill

A look back

Busy times for the farmer

As soon as it saw us the farm dog got in the kennel and no amount of coaxing could get it to come out. What it was doing here I can't be sure. It was at least 3/4 mile from the farm down the lane next to a cattle grid. My best guess is that it was there to prevent the many calves from trying to cross the grid but I'll stand correction.

The dog was by the cattle grid on the left with the farm in the distance. There were probably 60 -70 calves scattered about.

A glimpse of the tarn as we pass by Great Close Hill

Street Gate....the start of yet monastery road, Mastilles Lane

While the hordes are down at Goredale Scar we have the quiet beck to ourselves

There won't be much water going over the falls today!

Well, we weren't quite alone

Passed here many times with only a cursory glance. Time for a proper look.

2,000 years of erosion and landscape movement don't help but the ridge at the edge of the shadow is the south western corner.

The northern end is harder to find but I think the line just below centre is whats left of the ridge. No chance of me getting on Time Team then!

Mastilles Lane. Just past the Roman Camp the lane becomes enclosed and leads down Kilnsey near Kilnsey Crag in Wharfedale. This route can be used in conjunction with either of the two previously mentioned tracks to make a grand walk.

Back at Street Gate

And almost back to the car.

Next Walk:      28th June 2009 -- Arnside & Silverdale - Warton Crag / Three Brothers / Leighton Hall & Moss

Last Walk:       24th June 2009 - Forest of Bowland - A lost village

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