~Fremington Edge~
21st April 2018
Some walks and areas are just too enjoyable to visit just the once and Fremington Edge from Reeth is surely one of those.
Fremington Edge
Scroll down for photos and a description of the two-day venture into the Yorkshire Dales....
By 12:30hrs on Friday (20th), we were up at Ribblehead en route to Muker in Swaledale. A steam-hauled charter train is due up the line and we have time to spare, so after some easy wandering across Batty Moss, we head up towards Blea Moor Tunnel.
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Whernside |
Somebody's Watching You |
Just like last Saturday, there is cloud on Whernside...
Blea Moor Tunnel
The steam train is due at 14:21hrs and we take up position above the southern portal of the tunnel.
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Service Train |
Molly |
With the arrival of the service train 20 minutes before the charter train, I realise a good photograph of the steam train was out of the question on this sunny day, but who cares?
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SR Rebuilt Merchant Navy Class 4-6-2 no 35018 British India Line
An unusual visitor to these lines, she is hauling Day Two of the Great Britain X1 rail tour.
All Done
Three photographers head back to their cars and Molly does likewise.
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Ribblehead Viaduct |
Path Improvements |
On the right, a path has been made/improved and this allows walkers to keep off the road en route to their cars. The parking areas have also been improved with a wider hardstanding on the nearside and some levelling on the farside.
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Camping at Usha Gap |
Farmers Arms, Muker |
A little piece of Heaven on Earth...Muker in Swaledale. The camping at Usha Gap is great! This time we got the little corner in the field by the beck, effectively annexing a little garden for ourselves. It's wonderful to get the garden fork back in action; later food and drink at The Farmers Arms in Muker and time to plan a walk for tomorrow.
Reeth
We meet Jo and Amber for a gentle climb up to Fremington Edge from Reeth through the village of Fremington and then up the country road as there isn't an alternative footpath.
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The Hagg, near Fremington
To Fremington Edge
Fremington Edge
The Copperthwaite Lead Mining area to the right of the footpath. Soon we find ourselves on the other side of the wall. This high level walk remains roughly flat for about 3.5 miles and on such a fine day as this, it's a pleasure to be here. Lunch was taken up here somewhere, then Molly found a cairn worthy of a closer look...
Treat Time
Booze
We head down here to the ford over the beck and then back up to the hamlet of Booze.
Looking Back
Ford over Slei Gill
Storthwaite Hall
Langthwaite
Jo and I made the decision not to cross Arkle Beck and tackle Calver Hill, so we walked into Langthwaite and followed the beck, initially on the nearside before crossing over to head for West Raw Croft Farm.
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Walking along Arkle Beck and then across the fields to a refreshment opportunity.
West Raw Croft Farm
Home to "Ramblers Shack" a bothy-type help yourself facility with a kettle, fresh supplies, seats and an honesty till. Messages in the visitor book suggest it might not be here for ever, so apologies from me if you pop by and it's no longer there. Information correct as of the date at the top of this page.
Arkle Beck
Back over the beck to follow a bridleway aiming for Fremington, we'll turn off for Reeth.
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To Reeth
Walkers: Jo Hall with Amber, Molly and Me.
Time taken: 7hrs 15mins over a distance of about 12.5 miles.
Route: Reeth, Fremington, up the road to Fremington Edge Top. All the way along to Fell End, down to the ford and up to Booze. Langthwaite, Arkle Beck, West Raw Croft Farm, Heggs House, bridleway to Cuckoo Hill and farmland back to Reeth.
Weather and conditions: Sunny and warm.
Refreshment Review(s): The Ramblers' Shack remains a great place for a mid-walk break. The Buck Hotel's menu and main course meals are fine, dogs welcome in both places.
All photos copyright Richard Ratcliffe 2018 ©
Take me back to the start ....