Walk Summary
Classic Dale's views along Fremington Edge Top. Visits Marrick Priory (although it is now off limits to the public). Drops in on the quaint village of Reeth. Climbs to the top of Calver Hill for wonderful 360 degree views.
Date: 15/11/2021
Length: 12.27 miles
Height Gain: 539 m
Terrain: Boggy paths. grassy paths, trackless moorland, lightly used roads.
Navigation: Mostly reasonable. Tricky sections noted on map. In bad weather, Calver Hill part requires map and compass.
Start: Roadside parking between Reeth and Langthwaite. Near to turn off to West Raw Croft farm. There is a fingerpost on each side of the road.
Route: West Raw Croft Farm, Stonethwaite Hall Fremington Edge Top, Marrick, Reeth, Calver Hill
Map: OL30 Yorkshire Dales Northern And Central Areas
Weather: Post apocalyptic gloom
Walkers: Nun
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Calver Hill
Captain's Log
Parking Problems
It had been thick mist as I'd driven through Bedale, but by the time I reached Langthwaite it had turned into a post apocalyptic gloom. The gloom didn't lift all day, but at least it didn't rain. I had planned to park at Langthwaite car park but when I got there the payment machine was out of order. I'd noticed a potential roadside parking spot between Langthwaite and Reeth and so I decided to park there instead.
Langthwaite
Fremington Edge Top
It was a steep climb up to Fremington Edge Top although it didn't seem to take long to summit. The path went through a disused quarry. In fact throughout the morning, I'd find old quarry and mine workings all along the edge. There was a well-built cairn at the top. The view down into the valley was stunning. On the other side of the valley I could see Calver Hill. I'd visit the summit of that, as my last stop of the day, before returning to my car. The hills beyond Calver Hill were shrouded in very dark clouds. I wondered if there was a chance of some thunder...I hoped not.
It was a very pleasant walk along the edge of ridge. The path was relatively flat and was easy going. After a while a bridleway disappeared down the hillside towards Reeth. At this point, the edge path moved to the moor side of a stone wall and this restricted the valley views somewhat.
I didn't see anyone else on the edge. It was just me, some grouse and a few rabbits.
View From Fremington Edge Top
River Swale
Marrick Priory
I'd seen Marrick Priory ('Remains of Priory - Benedictine Nuns') on the map and thought it would be worth a slight extension to the walk I had intended. The OS map indicated a bridleway going through the abbey. On arrival I noticed that there was a note on a gate to the abbey. It stated that the bridleway was now closed due to a result of an enquiry. There seemed to be some doubt that a bridleway ever had historically existed, and so was now no longer a bridleway. Bit of a shame really.
I continued down the road towards Reeth. I noticed a sheep had got its horn caught in some wire fencing. I've previously freed a sheep in this predicament and it's not as easy as one might think. As you try to release it, the normally placid sheep turns into a frenzied mammoth. My problem was that the field was lower down from the road that I was on, and as I edged my way down to the slope, I started sliding towards the barbed wire top. The sheep also thrashed about. It really needed releasing from the field side. I decided it would be best to leave it where it was; hopefully the farmer would notice it when he went into the field.
Rocking Reeth
As I walked through the outskirts of Reeth I past a house whose owner was playing very loud music for the benefit of Reeth's populace. It was a terraced house and so the neighbours must have been very understanding...or possibly deaf. I could even hear it as I entered the pretty village centre. Escapee to the country, as they say.
Grinton Bridge
Fremington Edge Top Mine Workings (Calver Hill In Background)
Calver Hill
Just beyond Reeth fire station, my path headed off uphill. It wasn't long before I was out of Reeth and back up on the moors, The path offered views along Swaledale although the hills at its end were still topped with mist, The route to the top of Calver Hill was punctuated by parts of a sheep. The body parts were spread out over hundreds of yards, so I'm not sure it was the remains of just one sheep.
I stopped to eat an apple on the summit. It still looked like thunder was a possibility. The gloom had remained all day. As I reached my car, it started spitting with rain. Perfect timing.