Walk Description

Dave very kindly offered to take Steve and me on one of his local walks on Barden Moor.  This is an area of wild moorland, away from the easy to follow paths it is wet, rough and covered with thick heather and bracken with weird outcrops of weathered millstone grit along its edges.  We met at the Embsay Reservoir carpark and weighed up our choices for the ascent and descent route.  We decided to tackle the route anti-clockwise and head straight for Embsay Crag.  Today's weather forecast was mixed and promised showers.  Steve and I had decided to try out our new "Allday" trousers and brave the showers without waterproofs.

We walked around the back of the reservoir and looked for a suitable place to cross the slightly swollen Moor Beck.  I found the narrowest part of the beck and with Steve's help, made it safely across.  Now it was time for the climbing to start.  We made our way up the steep path to the top of Embsay Crag.  I had been lookking forward to the view from there, however as we got to the top, the drizzle turned into a heavy squall.  It was now time to put away our cameras.  The heavy rain was certainly testing our new trousers, however it felt good not to have the cumbersome waterproofs on.  The wind and rain were behind our backs as we turned northwards and skirted Wayshaw Bogs and Rotten Park.  It wasn't long before we reached the main east/west bridleway across the moor.  This bridleway is the only part of the moor that dogs are allowed onto, even then they should be on a lead.  We crossed the bridleway and still heading northwards, made our way to the Upper Barden Reservoir.  This is was unusally quiet today.  It is usually very noisy here as it is a favorite spot for blacked headed gulls, we didn't see a single gull.  We stopped for a while to take some photographs of the reservoir outflow and the distant views of Simon's Seat.

We continued northwards towards the small reservoir below the Debley to Thorpe path.  This was also deserted.  It would make a lovely spot for a picnic on a warm bright day, however it didn't look inviting today.  We joined the main path and headed towards Thorpe .  Not far along here are the remains of some old working and a large chimney.  We spent a few minutes exploring the area and trying to find the best vantage point for our photographs.  I was now feeling a little peckish and so we walked to the shooting hut and lodge above Numberstones Edge.  It looked very austere but we were glad of its shelter.  There were a couple of walkers inside who had infomred us that it was an ideal place for a New Year's Eve party.  I don't think that I will go there this year!

After lunch we headed for the Obelisk on Watt Crag.  This was the start of the most interesting part of the walk.  The path follows the western edge of the plateau and snakes bewteen many rocky outcrops.  These millstone grit outcrops have been weathered over the centuries into weird and wonderful shapes.  We could have spent ages exploring them and trying to decide what shapes or faces we could see in them.  The narrow path now started to deteriorate and passed through some very muddy and boggy areas.  However the worst of the mud and bog could usually be avoided. The weather started to deteriorate and we decided not to cross the wall and visit Rylstone Cross.  We still had to cross Waterfall Gill and we weren't sure how swollen that would be.  Steve as usual seemed to float across the semi-submerged stepping stones.  I didn't have enough confidence to try that, so I went up stream a bit and found an easier crossing.  I waited uintil I had climbed the steep slope back up the moor before I took some photos of the waterfall. We contued along the path passing the wondefully named Nettlehole Wood, the Fairies Chest and Crookrise Crag. 

Then it was time to start the steep and in some places slippy descent back to Embsay Reservoir. It wasn't long before we were back at the car.  Rucksacks and boots were packed away.  Whilst Dave took off his waterproof trousers, Steve and I remarked how comfortable and waterproof our trousers had been.  Today's walk had certainly put them through their paces and won our approval.  We were still dry, warm and comfortable.  We took Dave home, as previously arranged, and were treated to tea and a slice of wonderful chocolate cake. 


Despite the weather, we had had an enjoyable day. Thanks to Dave for suggesting this walk and supplying the tea and chocolate cake.  Thanks also to Steve for pulling me up the steepest bits.

 

Route & Planning

Details and Route Map

Photo Opportunities

Walk Profile

The route map shown here should not be used as a replacement for the appropriate map(s). Before attempting the walk you should check the suitability of this route in relation to your capabilities and experience.