Mastiles Lane, Cow Close Wood, Linton Falls, Kilnsey Crag, Conistone Dib and Pie all names that jump out of the map sheet as you trace your finger through Wharfedale hunting for the perfect day out, I've had this perfect day on the files of my Memory Map for longer than I care to remember, there's something exiting about walking on new ground, it was time to pay Wharfedale a visit.

The sun was shining when I left home, Yorkshire welcomed me with grey skies and the threat of rain, I parked in the picturesque village of Grassington from where I made my way to Linton Falls, crossing the Tin Bridge (it's wooden but that's what the locals call it) to make my way via tarmac lanes and field paths to Threshfield where I entered Skirethorns Lane, at the end of the lane I turned right into Wood Lane then followed the drive into Wood Nook Caravan Site, the path to Bordley was well marked, I was soon to pass Height House and Height Laithe on route, before reaching Bordley I turned right skirting a small limestone escarpment to enter Malham Moor Lane, my ascent to Mastiles Gate was by way of High Long Ridge, now striding out between dry stone walls I was soon to reach Kilnsey with it's impressive crag, after crossing the River Wharfe at Conistone Bridge I began the daunting ascent of Conistone Dib, it looked like a dead end but the sign assured me it was a footpath, the climb up this once raging water course soon brought me to the Dales Way, before heading south to Grassington I felt a visit to the oddly named Conistone Pie was called for, visit it for yourself, even on a grey day like today the views up Wharfedale and Littondale are quite spectacular, now all that remained was a three mile stroll along the delightful Dales Way back to the hustle and bustle of Grassington.

Wharfedale.	back to list view route map
	On the Tin Bridge with views up the River Wharfe.
	The Tin Bridge and the spectacular falls at Linton.
	I would like to have shown you spectacular views to Hebden Moor but all I could manage was a blue/grey horizon that could be anywhere.
	After ascending through Cow Close Wood and passing Height Laithe I came across this well preserved Lime Kiln, it made me wonder how and who originally discovered burning limestone to spread the residue on the land would sweeten the pastures.
	Strolling through vast tracts of rolling moors, over the hill on the skyline lies Malham.
	Nearing Mastiles Lane looking to Hawkswick Clowder, that's the hill with the strange name on the skyline.
	Mastiles Lane, the most famous of all of Yorkshires green lanes, this monastic highway was used by the monks of Fountains Abbey to link their lands in the Lake District to the vast tracts they owned in Yorkshire. I thought this section of the route would be a boring trudge between dry stone walls but as I crested the hill in the distance the views over Wharfedale just blew me away.
	Views over Green Haw Hill.
	There are wonderful views to be had as you descend Mastiles Lane, this one across Wharfedale is of Conistone Dib, my intended ascent route onto the eastern fells.
	But first Kilnsey Crag a spectacular limestone cliff carved out by the Wharfedale glacier over 12,000 years ago.
	A braver man than me, my limit is the bad step on the Crinkle Crags in the Lake District.
	On route to Conistone looking back to Kilnsey Crag.
	In the trees Conistone, to the left Wassa Hill.
	The entrance to Conistone Dib, all around can be found evidence that this exceptional ascent route was once a raging water course.
	A hazy view of Kilnsey Crag as seen from the oddly named Conistone Pie.
	From Conistone Pie stunning views up Littondale with Wharfedale to the right of Old Cote Moor.
	Looking to Malham Moor above Wharfedale.
	Walkers admire the views from Conistone Pie.
	I am now striding along the Dales Way on route to Grassington, there was no views the mist had come down, so I stopped to photograph this kiln, the inscription assured me it was used for burning lime over 150 years ago.
	Descending to Grassington with views over Wharfedale.
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