Strolled out on the Settle loop of the Pennine Bridleway this Saturday. The air was hot and humid on the pull up out of Settle and judging by the number of groups of exhausted-looking youths we passed, Duke of Edinburgh assessment season is upon us once more. To be fair, none of them look either lost or as though they’re loathing every second and at least they’re out and about.
As I tend to aim for the tops, there’s a lot I’ve not seen before on this route – Stockdale’s very pretty. As the path tips over the skyline at Grizedales, there’s a splendid view taking in Malham Tarn, Great Whernside, Buckden Pike, Firth Fell and Fountain’s Fell; absolutely beautiful and I’ve never seen any of them from this angle before. There’s limestone paving here and I guess these fields must be in some sort of stewardship; I recognise at least five species of grass here and plenty of sedges and they’re almost at waste height. The breeze picks up too as we get a bit of height and everything feels much fresher.
The loop drops under Langcliffe Scar as it turns back west and we stop for some lunch in a lush meadow. The distant hulk of Ingleborough looms to our left and Pen-y-ghent can just be seen shouldering its way round the flank of Fountain’s Fell. I know it’s the easiest of the three peaks, but it looks really brutal. Most of the flowers have vanished from the upland meadows, but I think the grasses here are just as attractive; more subtle perhaps but no less handsome. Certainly more dynamic as they’re swept to and fro in the wind, a shimmering tapestry of greens, blue and purple.
Pen-y-ghent through grasses
As we bear left off the Langcliffe road, the path dips more decisively downhill but the going is easy – limestone country seems to generate such springy turf. As we drop down into Settle, you can see climbers up on the new routes on Castleberg Crag – will have to have a go at some of those. My friend has discovered he’s allergic to his sun-screen. He isn’t sunburned, but he is covered in angry bubblewrap. Nice. It’s been a great day – good weather, nice 10 mile stride and some very different views of the Dales. You can do it all by public transport too – what are you waiting for?
Lyndon Marquis
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