RIBBLE
WAY, STAINFORTH FORCE & GIGGLESWICK SCAR
from GIGGLESWICK
Summary
Date - 14th February 2009
Distance - 8 miles
Map - OL2/OL41
Start point - Settle pool car park
(SD 815641)
Summits Achieved
Name
Height (ft)
Height (m)
Grid Ref
Giggleswick Scar
1050
412
SD 8058 6562
Preface
"Are we walking tomorrow"?,
asked Allen.
"Yes, and with Uncle Bob too,
starting from Settle" replied Dad.
We all cheered!
It was not precisely correct that
we were walking from Settle, as the car park is in fact in
Giggleswick, on the north side of the River Ribble. As we did not
cross the bridge over the river, it meant we did not actually go
into Settle.
The Walk
Settling (ouch that is an
awful pun!) down into Dads rucksack we set off from the
leisure centre car park, walking the few yards towards Settle, to
the Ribble Way footpath beside the river.
The pleasant, if at times muddy
path, meanders by the river, before leaving it to come to the
road that leads into the hamlet of Stackhouse. A path then leads
off right to come again by the river at a substantial weir.
From now on the path hugs the
riverside climbing gently to reach the waterfalls at Stainforth.
The river was full so the falls were impressive, so we had to be
very patient while Uncle Bob and Dad had a prolonged photo
session. Well at least we were warm and safely tucked up in the
rucksack!
We suppose that we had
better include this of Dad taken by Uncle Bob. Well, we appear
often enough!
Photograph
courtesy Bob Woolley (Uncle Bob)
You will see the bridge in the
background. We think that it is worth including a proper picture.
This graceful packhorse bridge
replaced a ford in the 1670s, and is now owned and cared
for by the National Trust. The bridge today joins Little and
Great Stainforth. It is quite narrow, just space for one car at a
time, as measured here by Dad.
Photograph
courtesy Bob Woolley (Uncle Bob)
Now we strolled on through Little
Stainforth, before climbing steadily up, where we enjoyed this
view looking across towards Warrendale Knotts and Sugar Loaf Hill,
which was to be the subject of our next walk in Yorkshire.
Soon Smearsett Scar came into view,
which we had climbed almost exactly one year ago to the day.
Here snow has drifted to lie deeply
beside our path with from left to right Pot Scar and Smearsett
Scar behind. Today we were just walking in the valley below the
hills, eventually dropping down to the tiny hamlet of Feizor (pronounced
Fazyr). Sounded a bit Star Trekky to us!
Now it is well known that Dad, if
possible, likes to include a visit to a tearoom as part of the
day out, usually at the end of the walk. Today though he and
Uncle Bob broke with tradition, stopping at the halfway point to
go to Feizor Refreshments, run by Elaine Knowles. Their excuse
was that they were sheltering from a rain shower. It seems to be
a place that is often visited by walkers, and cyclists too. When
they arrived it was about half full, but almost immediately it
filled up completely with the arrival of a party of cyclists.
Uncle Bob said, "we'll just have tea" so a huge
pot arrived, which just suited Dad. Then however, they spotted
the delicious cakes and puddings, which proved to be irresistible
and lemon meringue pie was ordered. So much for will power.
Joking apart all the food on offer is delicious and home made too.
It can be thoroughly recommended. Dad and Uncle Brian met Uncle
Bob and Aunt Ann there a couple of weeks later, and again the
food was excellent. Although having only been the once before,
Elaine recognised Dad. Once seen etc.
Here Uncle Bob poses outside.
Time to get going again we thought,
so Dad shouldered his rucksack and we all headed out of Feizor,
on a track that climbed towards Giggleswick Scar.
This long escarpment stands above
the road that leads down to Giggleswick and Settle. Once the main
road, it is now just a quiet byway since the opening of the
Settle bypass.
We picked our way along and then
Spider Cave came into view, which we went to look at. From the
Internet we were able to glean that this cave is 65 ft long but
after about 20ft its height deteriorates to a small crawl space.
High enough for us, but we are sensible and did not make any
attempts to enter.
Climbing up beside this we reached
the ridge and after climbing the stiles through a number of walls,
finally reached the summit cairn. Well it is about time we put in
an appearance.
Here too is Uncle Bobs shot
of Dad taking our picture.
Photograph
courtesy Bob Woolley (Uncle Bob)
Now all that remained was the walk
down to the cars. First the descent off the top, passing by the
huge Giggleswick Quarry. Such was the drop that there was no
wonder that two protective fences had been erected. At a gate we
walked along the track through Lords Wood, that led to a
road with some very nice houses either side. This ended at the
main road and then it was just a short stroll to the car park.
The end of another enjoyable walk. We then wished Uncle Bob a
safe journey home and waved him off. We were initially mystified
why Dad took the road towards Horton in Ribblesdale, but soon
tumbled that he was going of course to Eileens at Newby
Head Farm, to stock up on cakes. What is he like?