July’s Adventure walk Buckden Pike
( with a poem by Alan on today’s walk)
Morley walking club, boots in line
Buckden Pike in morning shine
From Buckden green at morning light
Lads and lasses set for height
Boots bite gravel, poles strike ground
The moorland wind’s a whistling sound
We press on through the biting breeze
Triumph earned with weary knees
We touch the trig, the summit won
Faces lifted to absent sun
Trig point reached, the view’s our prize
Yorkshire hills under endless skies
Then down we drop through moor and dale
Past sheep that scatter, curlew wail
Then onward through the dale we race
To Buckden’s river and ducks in place
Mid week walk Thruscross reservoir
The water level looking rather low during this summer’s drought
July short walk Heath
We got lightly damp on this short but scenic pleasant walk from Heath expertly led by our regular canine companions Maeve and Ruby
July Club long walk from Welburn
3 Die hard walkers braved the current heatwave to complete a 13 mile circuit in the Howardian Hills area with some lovely long range views including Castle Howard
Mid week Walk Pompocali July 25
During the latest heatwave there were some welcome shady areas during this circuit of countryside near Scarcroft and Thorner utilising parts of the Leeds Country Way with some interesting historic features along the route
July medium walk from Ripley
16 walkers travelled to Ripley to do an 8.5mile circuit with a riverside stop for elevenses at Hampswaite (where we were had fleeting glimpses of Kingfishers)-we followed the Nidderdale way for a short stretch then onward and upward to our lunch stop outside the cricket club at Burnt Yates. We did have a brief encounter with some inquisitive young cattle which some bypassed by taking a short detour then back towards Ripley along country lanes and farm tracks-some lovely summer wild flowers along the way and views over to the North York Moors.
June’s Adventure walk
6 walkers enjoyed a 9 mile walk on good terrain with a lot of lovely soft peat tracks -1889 ft ascent-some welcome rain first thing after the recent heatwave , then rather breezy which dried everybody out again-some wonderful views
Mid week walk from Fountains Abbey
On a hot and sunny day a shady walk was in order around the outer perimeter land of Fountains Abbey- armed with sunhats and suncream 6 walkers did a 7.5 mile circuit of this area with an ice cream stop at the end
June short walk from Tong
Led by Gary and Julie, a lovely local walk on a warm day with an ice cream stop at Tong ice cream parlour
Mid week walk from Woolley
A 5.7 mile circular walk on a warm and sunny day led by Richard
June tea shop walk
A Linear walk from Morley to Batley then back by Public transport
June long walk Upper Nidderdale
June medium walk Embsay Crag
Mid week walk Bingley 28 May
Six walkers enjoyed a good 9 mile walk from Bingley past Harden Falls and on to the moors
Swaledale adventure walk 25 May
5 walkers travelled to Muker to do an 8 mile circuit following in parts the Pennine way, the Coast to Coast path and the Herriot Way. Along the route we visited Swinner GIll then on past Crackpot Hall followed by waterfalls then Keld. From there we ascended Kisdon Hill where we had lunch before descending back to Muker where we checked out the Farmer’s Arms pub -a little windy with short showers, but mianly dry and some stunning views along the way
Mid week walk from White House May 2025
An 8 mile walk starting from a sunny but extremely windy car park next to the White House Pub, Littleborough, but the views were fabulous. The walk took us past much depleted reservoirs which gave an interesting landscape, a quick stop was had to read Simon Armitage’s Rain poem inscribed on rock at Cows Mouth Quarry. We then headed down into the valley bottom, stopping for lunch on the way, then followed the lovely Rochdale canal before heading up hill back towards the car park. The highlights of the day were the views, seeing a crows nest containing 3 very small chicks, some interesting signage and animals, and the steep path back up to the car park (not walking it!!) but finding out it was one Ian had never walked before!
Long walk Luddendon 11 May
Only 4 walkers undertook a walk across moors above Luddenden. Beautiful day, not too hot, lovely green scenery.
Mid week walk from Wetherby May 2025
An easy 7 mile circuit from Wetherby following in part the disused Church Fenton to Harrogate railway line then passing through Thorpe Arch village where we stopped in the churchyard for lunch-we touched on the river Wharfe several times and passed under the A1 just before the end-an abundance of spring blossom and flowers along the route
Beamsley Beacon May 2025
21 walkers travelled to the vicinity of Bolton bridge to ascend Beamsley Beacon led by Sara and Cynthia-the weather was cool in comparison to recent days but did remain dry with sunny intervals and good panoramic views from the top-we then descended and had our lunch beside Kex beck before completing our circuit the other side of the valley
Mid week walk Middleton Woods and moor, Ilkley
Another hot and sunny day… we started our walk on footpaths through a carpet of bluebells in Middleton Woods before ascending to Middleton Moor where we had good long range views and wall to wall sunshine-we then descended finding some partial shade for a lunch stop-after lunch we went thorugh a further bluebell wood then a stroll down millionaire’s row to the river Wharfe and back into Ilkley where an ice cream mobile parlour was conveniently waiting near the end of our route
April adventure walk 27-4-25
There was a famous mass trespass of Kinder scout in the 1930s, followed by another mass trespass of Morley walking club on Sunday…9 walkers travelled to the dark peak area on a sunny and warm day to complete the historical Kinder Trespass route of the 1930s- we ascended Kinder Scout with excellent long range views of countryside, Manchester City skyline in the distance with passing planes overhead which we could follow each then landing at Manchester Airport.After a lunch stop perched on the edge of the top, we continued along the ridge before descending-initially quite steep followed by meadow paths then a final short riverside stretch rewarded by an ice cream stop at the end
Easter Sunday’s local short walk 20-4-25
Kindly led at short notice by John and Sonia, 19 or so walkers did a 6 mile local circuit visiting Brow Wood, Howden Clough and Lady Ann Dike, Howley
April’s Long walk from Arncliffe 13-4-25
9 walkers travelled to Arncliffe to do an 11 mile walk first ascending along Yew Cogar scar and continuing over towards Malham Tarn then turning for a further gentle ascent towards Hawkswick Clowder before slowly descending High and Low Cote moors to join the River Skirfare at Hawkswick for a riverside amble back to Arncliffe… refreshments at the pub went down well before the journey home, perfect day out !
Mid week walk from Ripley 9-4-25
The weather forecast was for another relatively warm day with sunny intervals, but that never quite happened as it was overcast for much of the day with a very cool breeze-nevertheless we had a very pleasant 8 mile walk from Ripley through pastures and woodland with a stretch along the Nidderdale way
Medium local Walk 6-4-25
Mid week Walk Scammonden 2-4-25
One of those wall to wall spring sunshine days, perfect for our 9 mile ramble over the moors around Scammonden starting with a semi circuit of Scammonden reservoir then ascending to Slaithwaite moor with excellent views across to Meltham Moor and Linthwaite in the valley- we passed unusual named places like Wham farm and had a close encounter with some inquisitive frisky horses before returning over the hill and back down to Scammonden
Mid week Walk Towton 26-3-25
15 walkers and 2 dogs enjoyed a very pleasant and sunny 8 mile walk taking in views of Hazelwood Castle, Towton battlefield and Lead Church finishing with a well earned drink at the Crooked Billet pub.
Adventure Walk Farndale 23-3-25
Led by Ian , our first adventure walk of the year took place in Farndale where the daffodils were coming into flower by the river Dove-the smell of bacon sandwiches was too tempting for some as we passed the Daffy cafe and rather mysteriously a small breakaway group soon formed to complete the traditional daffodil route while others went on to walk along the ridge of Rudland Rigg before returning back to Low Mill where there was a pop up cafe in the village hall, tea and cakes awaiting-overall a very enjoyable day out, may this be the first of many adventure walks for the club
Mid week walk Nidderdale 19-3-25
7 walkers travelled to Pateley Bridge to walk an 11 mile circuit of both sides of the dale on a glorious sunny spring day- we had our elevenses at Yorke Folly before descending to cross the river Nidd (first lunch) then climb to Brimham Rocks (ice cream stop)-in the late afternoon a long meander back to Pateley Bridge the final stretch being along Panorama way
Mid week walk from Leathley 12-3-25
Four seasons in one walk would summarise this pleasant 8 mile mid week walk led by Andy-we had hints of spring with daffodils and blossom, spells of sunshine (fortunately including during both our stops) ,varying temperatures with a chilly wind at times, hale and rain showers all giving rise to dramatic every changing skies and views
March long walk : Lothersdale 9-3-25
Led by Ian (so plenty of hills, particularly near the end!) March’s club long walk was a 10 mile circuit following the Pennine Way in part from Lothersdale- a little walked area for our club but what a well kept secret this area is… we shall no doubt return- we were treated to a lovely spring sunny day warm enough for us to venture into summer weight trousers
Mid week walk Eccup then lunch at the New Inn 5-3-25
Andy and Jill led a 5 mile walk in this area on a sunny day starting out from the New Inn-we stopped for elevenses near the set of Emmerdale, then at the end of the walk we went for a pub lunch (to be recommended-well kept pub with good food and service)… we could easily get used to this!
Curry Night at the Spice Lounge Morley 4-3-25
Twenty-eight club members and their partners turned out for a very enjoyable evening of
chat, laughter and good food at the Spice Lounge. We were there for 3 hours enjoying each
other’s company, requests to do this again will be fulfilled
March medium club Sunday walk: Gormire lake and the Cleveland Way 2-3-25
20 walkers invaded the sleepy village of Boltby to do an 8 mile walk firstly in the vale of York (spring lambs already there) to Gormire Lake then a short sharp climb to the Cleveland Way footpath overwatched by sunday gliders-some good long distance views from the top-we then followed the long distance route northwards past Boltby scar to High Barn where we made our descent back to the valley and we rounded off with visit to Boltby village hall where there was a DIY teashop with cakes before heading for home- the weather was somewhat more overcast than the forecast but at least remained dry
Mid week walk from Otley 19-2-25
13 mid week walkers braved the cold to do a 9 mile circuit from Otley heading towards Leathley (where we had our coffee stop-the sun did briefly show while there) then Lindley Wood reservoir followed by Clifton, touching on the Six Dales trail and the Welcome way for a short while before ending up beside the River Wharfe
February’s short canal walk 16-2-25
Led by Ros, 22 walkers did a 5 mile canal walk from Wooodlesford
Mid week walk from Angler’s Country Park 12-2-25
An easy pleasant 8 mile walk led by Ian starting from Walton Colliery Nature Park and walking on through Haw Park Wood and Wintersett…. we only got lost once in the middle of a housing estate in Walton where a local resident redirected us to the nearby canal path-we also bumped into Wakefield walking club near the beginning then again near the end
February’s club long walk from Greetland 9-2-25
The Calderdale area is near our home patch but we dont walk there often so this was a pleasant change…a land of many hills and we certainly seemed to find them all! We think that we had climbed the equivalent of 2 of the 3 Yorkshire peaks by the end of the walk passing through some places with unusual names like Barkisland -the weather didnt lend itself to long range views but at least we didnt get wet and all things said we had an very good day
Cromer mini break February-25
This year’s Alfa coach trip was almost perfect with a good trip there and back, excellent
weather, stunning coastal scenery and a lovely hotel. The hotel menu was interesting with
servings of grilled fish and sprouts on the first evening! We suppose this was NFN (normal for
Norfolk). Thanks to Lizzie and Tony for researching and promoting this trip, excellent choice
of venue.
Mid week walk from Boltby 5-2-25
6 walkers travelled tp the North York Moors to do a walk from Boltby along the valley to Goremire lake where we had elevenses in beautiful sunshine. We then had a short but sharp climb to join the Cleveland Way northwards for a while with good long range views across to the Dales before descending through forest and field footpaths back towards Boltby-this walk was a test run for March’s medium club walk so hopefully the weather will be as good then as it was on Wednesday
February’s medium walk from North Rigton 2-2-25
Andrew Sanderson led this month’s medium walk from North Rigton -plenty of sunshine made for a pleasant 8 mile wander in this area with good views of Almscliffe Crag and the surrounding area-memorable moments included a very muddy ginnel near the start of the walk, deer spotting, bird spotting ,encounters with some inquisitive horses and a very hazardous stone stile near Beckwithshaw
Mid week walk Harewood 29-1-25
A scenic 8 mile walk with varied wildlife and good long range views given the weather-we saw deer in the woodland and Red Kites kept us company overhead at various spots
Mid week walk in the Nidd Gorge 22-1-25
With the weather a little better than anticipated, we had a very pleasant 8 mile walk in the Nidd Gorge and Knaresborough- scenic with several historical places of interest- wildlife encountered included several ducks, squirrels and a barn owl
January’s short walk 19-1-25
26 walkers did this month’s short club walk from Rawdon in chilly weather- we had reasonable long range views over Leeds and of the Airport, at one stage our route found us heading under the landing lights just beyond the end of the runway- rather muddy in several places but this didnt detract from our enjoyment. Wildlife encountered included 3 Parakeets in woodland towards the end of the walk
Mid week walk Embsay moor 15-1-25
It was good to get back into a normal walking routine in the aftermath of the first snowfall of the year-the snow had mainly melted apart form a few remaining pockets on the moor-a sunny day made for a great walk with excellent long range views
January’s long walk 12-1-25
After icy conditions scuppered our planned walk, we ventured to Woodlesford for a local jaunt. 7 of us started along the River Aire, then a short stretch in St.aidans nature reserve. Here we met a birdwatcher counting the hundreds of birds on the lake, not an easy task. After continuing along the river to Allerton Bywater, we picked up the Linesway and followed it to Great Preston. We had coffee break in a children’s playground ,which suited some of our group, playing with the equipment. After leaving the Linesway we walked through a very smelly farmyard. Lunch was taken in a picnic area in lovely sunshine before heading to Little Preston. We finished with a return to St Aidens which was very icy, but we all managed to stay upright, just!
January’s medium local walk in the snow 5-1-25
Overnight heavy snow led to the planned medium walk from Harewood being replaced by a local walk without the need for transport to and from the start point… 3 die hards braved the ongoing snow falling to be rewarded with some lovely local snowy scenes
