Yorkshire Dales Walks
Grassington Moor
Date: 7th February 2005
Distance: 8.2 miles
Ascent: 1197 feet
Time: 3 hours 35 mins
With: Lisa
Start Grid Ref: SE002637
Walk Summary:
An easy but fascinating walk exploring remnants of the lead mining industry on Grassington Moor.
Route Summary: Grassington - High Lane - Tinker's Lane - Hebden Beck - Cupola Corner - New Pasture Edge - Yarnbury - Moor Lane - Grassington
Pictures:
1. A misty morning in Wharfedale
2. Hebden Beck
3. Exploring one of the lime kilns with my new head torch
4. Looking across to New Pasture Edge from Cupola Corner
5. Lisa in the base of the chimney
6. The main chimney and flue at Cupola Smelt Mine
7. The trig point on New Pasture Edge
Walk Detail: This was the day I passed my driving test at the first time of asking - to celebrate I drove us out to Grassington for this walk.
The walk did not start off too well as I missed the path from High Lane to Edge Lane. Instead we took the slightly longer route via Garnshaw House that proved to be pleasant enough. As we got on to Tinker’s Lane a friendly local walking out his dog pointed out Patrick Stewart’s house sitting on a hill on the opposite side of Hebden Beck.
Hebden Beck itself turned out to be particularly picturesque with steep sided scars laced with the remnants of Grassington’s mining past including a shaft opening at Bolton Gill and a well preserved lime kiln which, judging by the number of bones inside, is the haunt of a local predator.
Cupola Smelt Mine was a major lead mine and contains miles of well-preserved flues all leading to a very prominent chimney. We made our way up to the latter where we stopped for lunch. The area also provided good views across to New Pasture Edge and north towards Meugher.
After exploring Cupola Corner we crossed back over the dam separating Hebden Beck from Coalgrove Beck and headed towards Yarnbury via Old Moor Lane. Passing Yarnbury we found a gate allowing access to the trig point on New Pasture Edge. A few months before access land came into effect in the Dales I remember being very nervous of this short detour which was technically a trespass.
After visitng the trig point we made our way back to back to Grassington via Yarnbury where we stopped briefly to watch a dog lazily chase a pheasant in the house gardens. The final drop from Moor Lane to Grassington via Intake Lathe was via some particularly pleasant paths with good views down into the Wharfe valley.
After changing our footwear back at the car we went back into Grassington we rounded our trip off by enjoying lunch at one of the local tea shops.
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