Deepdale (off Demtdale)

Wednesday 13th July 2022  - Deepdale (Dentdale)

6.5 miles. Ascent 1291ft.

The start could be approached from the north over Barbon and through Dent, or from the south via Ingleton and Kingsdale. I chose the latter. I don't think I have driven up Kingsdale before and I was awed. Kingsdale is a major go-to environ for potholders which one can imagine from this broad dale with ranges of exposed craggy limestone lining the steep valley sides, it is like something from another planet. I should have taken photos but there is only a single track road with drop-off tarmac edges that would prevent pulling off onto the grass and there are only a few passing places, so my awe was mixed with tension and apprehension that I would meet a vehicle coming the other way. Fortunately I was lucky and after opening and closing two gates I arrived at White Shaw Moss and was pleased to find decent parking  at the end of the track where I would finish my circular walk.

The views far down into Deepdale and Dentdale were stunning illuminated with patches of early morning sun - it was only 8:30am. In the far distance a pointy hill was seen and although I don't find it easy identifying such  I am pretty sure that was Kidsty Pike at the end of the High Street range in the Lakes twenty seven miles away in a straight line.There was a rudimentary path steeply descending into Deepdale and then more level walking through sheep fields on green turf and limestone ambience, and views of  the best of Yorkshire Dales* hill country in all directions. Walking down Deepdale to almost where it joins Dentdale was Yorkshire Dales walking at its best. I then had to regain a thousand feet or so of height to climb the bridleway to high on the other side of Deepdale after which the track levelled out to contour, more or less, back to my starting point. That bridleway was not easy going bering paved with uneven stone, some loose and some embedded, and there were frequent waterlogged stretches of puddle forcing one to dodge from side to side using the grass verges for short spells, then balancing on and off the grass patches in the centre of the track all preventing any rhythm of walking. Compensation came from the views back down to the two dales with Whernside dominating across and then Pen-y-Ghent poking out above the skyline, and further to the south immense extents of wild country as far as one could see. 

That was one of the best walks I have done for some time.

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* I use the term Yorkshire Dales loosely being aware that there are other counties involved in the overall area of what I think of as "the limestone country."

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  If you have similar feelings for the Yorkshire Dales as I do it is worth clicking photos to enlarge for a slideshow

My car at the end of the bridleway

The road descends steeply to Dentdale. I peeled off right on a footpath about a hundred yards further down

The distant pointy hill could be Kidsty Pike?

Governor's Lathe. A very isolated working farm.

Internet didn't find anything about this unusual name

Gin clear water

Typical limestone country walking

Much of the path down Deepdale was marked with yellow splashes of paint. The colour was much brighter and deeper than the photo shows. This one even informed us that his was a footpath! That kind of marking would be more expected on our better known long distance paths and seemed a bit out of place in this remote dale.

Mire Garth - now a holiday let

Halfway up the bridleway on the other side of Deepdale looking back up the dale I had descended into  from top right 

A good indication of the hard going on the bridleway after the climb as it levelled  out and contoured back to my car. Note the huge expanse of wilderness in the distance

Start/finish, White Shaw Moss, bottom right. anti-clockwise