The club's 200th mid-week walk - four of the walkers who were on today's walk, Russell, Marjorie, Norman and John, were also on the first walk almost 8 years ago. We had a good turnout - 15 walkers.
We started our walk at Low Row, Swaledale and after walking south-west along the B6270 for a short distance we turned left down a minor road. Just after passing some buildings at Isles, before reaching the bridge, we took a footpath to our right.
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View of River Swale from Isles Bridge, west of Low Row, Yorkshire Dales.
Swale is a river name of Anglo-Saxon origin and is thought to mean whirling, swirling swallowing river. It is one of the fastest flowing rivers in England.
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This footpath followed along the north bank of the River Swale and we took the opportunity for a short break in the shelter of a dry stone wall. From here, where the path came close to the main road (959979), we took a right fork, across fields, into Gunnerside.
At Gunnerside we turned right on to the main road and towards the end of the village took a footpath to our left through a gate. Here we met a couple of hunters with rifles slung over their shoulders.
The path climbed steadily until before Heights we took a right fork through a stile (959982) continuing over fields into Rowleth Wood. As we left the wood we stopped on a steep bank for lunch. Here we could see wonderful views of Swaledale with Gunnerside in the distance.
We continued on this footpath until reaching Smarber, a small hamlet, where we took a left turn on to a track which took us into Blades. After passing through Blades we continued downhill then turned left onto a footpath (984984), crossing a track, passing Gallows Top, Kearton, and Home Farm. After Home Farm and before reaching a minor road we turned right across fields to reach the B6270.
From here we walked west along the main road until picking up a footpath on our left. The path followed close to the river. Along this section of path an imitation otter could be seen in the undergrowth and a stork could be seen high in the trees - both very easy to miss.
Half way along we stopped for a short break, sheltering from the wind by a ruined farm building.
The path continued until we reached the minor road at Isles Bridge where we turned right to pick up the main road back to the cars. Care had to be taken on a short section before the bridge where we had to walk on a high (but very wide) wall which could have been tricky in strong wind.
This was a very enjoyable walk despite the wet ground. We then drove to Richmond for an excellent meal at Weatherspoon's.
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