Hutton's Kilnsey Moor

Downs, Moorland in Yorkshire Craven

England

Hutton's Kilnsey Moor

Mastiles Lane dropping towards Kilnsey Mastiles Lane was the subject of some controversy when the number of off-road vehicles using it was starting to have an adverse impact. Although it is still marked as a Byway Open to All Traffic on the map, it doesn&#039;t seem to remain so for its full length, and even where it is so marked, further west, there is a definite &quot;all motor vehicles prohibited sign&quot;, so I was unsurprised not to meet the sort of continuous procession of trail bikes and four-wheel-drive enthusiasts that one meets on a number of other BOATs in the National Park. Indeed, on an eight mile walk on a breezy day in January, there was one mountain biker and two walkers, apart from myself (and dog). The lane itself continues towards Kilnsey, but the small gate on the right gives onto a public footpath down towards the road junction leading to Coniston bridge - a better parking spot than a village in these times of infectious disease. — Mastiles Lane dropping towards Kilnsey Credit: Andy Waddington

Hutton's Kilnsey Moor is a vast expanse of moorland located in the Yorkshire Dales National Park, in the county of Yorkshire, England. This area is renowned for its picturesque landscapes, rugged beauty, and rich history. Covering an area of approximately 2,500 acres, Kilnsey Moor is a haven for nature enthusiasts and offers breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside.

The moorland is characterized by its rolling hills, heather-covered slopes, and scattered rocky outcrops. It is home to a diverse range of flora and fauna, including heath bedstraw, bilberry, and cotton grass, as well as numerous bird species such as curlews, lapwings, and red grouse. The area is also known for its sheep farming, with flocks of hardy Swaledale and Dalesbred sheep dotting the landscape.

Kilnsey Moor holds historical significance, with evidence of human activity dating back to the Neolithic period. The remains of ancient settlements, stone circles, and burial sites can still be found scattered across the moor. Additionally, the area is famous for its limestone cliffs, including the iconic Kilnsey Crag, which is a popular spot for rock climbers.

Visitors to Hutton's Kilnsey Moor can enjoy a variety of outdoor activities, such as hiking, birdwatching, and photography. There are several well-marked trails that allow visitors to explore the moorland and soak in its natural beauty. The area also offers opportunities for fishing in the nearby River Wharfe, which is renowned for its trout and grayling population.

Overall, Hutton's Kilnsey Moor is a captivating destination that showcases the beauty of the Yorkshire Dales, offering visitors a chance to immerse themselves in its wild and rugged charm.

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Hutton's Kilnsey Moor Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 54.104028/-2.0778996 or Grid Reference SD9567. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Mastiles Lane dropping towards Kilnsey

Mastiles Lane was the subject of some controversy when the number of off-road vehicles using it was starting to have an adverse impact. Although it is still marked as a Byway Open to All Traffic on the map, it doesn't seem to remain so for its full length, and even where it is so marked, further west, there is a definite "all motor vehicles prohibited sign", so I was unsurprised not to meet the sort of continuous procession of trail bikes and four-wheel-drive enthusiasts that one meets on a number of other BOATs in the National Park. Indeed, on an eight mile walk on a breezy day in January, there was one mountain biker and two walkers, apart from myself (and dog). The lane itself continues towards Kilnsey, but the small gate on the right gives onto a public footpath down towards the road junction leading to Coniston bridge - a better parking spot than a village in these times of infectious disease.

Andy Waddington

Mastiles Lane heading for Wharfedale

From the great publicity that once attended the supposed degradation of this "green lane" by overusage of motor vehicles, I had expected something a great deal softer and grassier underfoot than this well-compacted hard track. I was already beginning to feel that wellies had been an unnecessary choice for such a route march with barely enough puddles to keep the dog hydrated. The edge of the grid square is just shy of the 423m high point of the lane as it passes over a col on Holgates Kilnsey Moor, so the view looks back on almost the sum total of the ascent.

Andy Waddington

Mastiles Lane dropping towards Mastiles Gate

Walled lanes make for an extra degree of freedom for the dog, not available when the fell is open and occupied by grazers, but beyond Mastiles gate at the junction of walls seen ahead, the lead will be back on and the walk will get slower. Most of the sheep on the fell ahead are in a large group (just out of view on the right) where a load of hay has just been dropped for them, but south of the track they are more randomly dotted about. The gate is at a slight low point in the lane (about 380m) before it climbs back 20m to the next rise.

Andy Waddington

High Long Ridge

This gently sloping broad pasture is neither high, nor long, and hardly qualifies as a ridge, but drops gently towards the dry valley above Bordley Beck which, after the odd identity change, drains into the River Aire just east of Gargrave. The hill to the right of the photo on Malham Moor has the faint remains of a settlement and field system long predating the modern walls and farms. Being on limestone, the grassland is greener as the soil is noticeably more fertile than in the immediate foreground which provides only a scant living for sheep.

Andy Waddington

Limestone boulders on Tommy High Pasture

Although the bedrock is concealed by a layer of drift, there are plenty of boulders lying about to indicate that a lot of the local geology is limestone. The one in the immediate foreground has smoothed surfaces and characteristic grooves eroded by humic acids whilst partially buried in the soil. Now exposed, lichen finds it a congenial home. In the distance are Clapham High Mark and Parson's Pulpit, where the underlying limestone is much closer to the surface and forms numerous small outcrops.

Andy Waddington

Descending from Green Haw Hill

From Malham Moor Lane, the bridleway passes west of Green Haw Hill and descends to the shallow valley followed by Mastiles lane on its way to Kilnsey. A fence replaces the disintegrating drystone wall on the left but will no doubt prove to be a much more ephemeral presence on the fellside, both rotting and rusting unlike the limestone which fits much better into the landscape.

Andy Waddington