Capplestone Gate & Conistone Pie from Conistone

(S/E)Parking is at a premium in Conistone, so leave the Grassington to Kettlewell Road just before Kilnsey Crag, and park on the downstream side of the bridge over the Wharfe (grid ref. SD978675). From the bridge walk into the village. In the centre continue past the maypole and take the left hand lane to a gate. Continue uphill on a very stony surface. The path (now the Dib) narrows and you find yourself walking through a high-sided limestone gorge to arrive at an open area, where the gully spreads wide, and the sides are covered with vast spills of limestone rocks that are most dramatic. The path is easy to follow and you will arrive at a second gate (grid ref. SD990679).

(1)Ignore the path going right to Grassington and continue ahead. The path continues to climb steadily to reach a junction with the Dales Way (grid ref. SD992682). Turn left along the Dales Way for a short distance to turn right onto a track known as Bycliffe Road.

(2)This track continues to climb and becomes enclosed by walls. Reaching a junction of tracks and paths where Bycliffe Road goes sharp right (grid ref. SD997686), go left through a gate and follow a track/path towards a small plantation. The path climbs across the hillside passing to the right of the plantation and continues to pass a small rocky outcrop to pass through a gate and make for the OS trig point at Capplestone Gate (grid ref. SE001699).

(3)To continue follow the sometimes indistinct path that heads just east of north for just over 800 metres to a stile in the wall on your left (grid ref. SD997708). The path descends steeply at first and continues roughly south-west becoming a clearer track as you descend. Exit this field through a gate (grid ref. SD984704) near the right-hand corner of this long field. Continue heading roughly north-west towards a gate into a plantation (grid ref. SD981705). Do not go through the gate but turn sharp left and follow the level path.

(4)You are back on the Dales Way and this should be followed for just over one and a half miles. On the way you will pass the distinctive Conistone Pie on your right before reaching Bycliffe road again (grid ref. SD992682). Turn right down the Bycliffe Road (now named Scot Gate Lane on OS maps), with Conistone Dib below on your left. The track passes a radio mast on your right and then descends Wassa bank towards the Conistone to Kettlewell road. Turn left along this to return to the start.

This walk offers some of the best limestone scenery that Wharfedale offers. The route takes you high above the dale with some glorious views so do choose a fine day to take this walk.

Please note that the first part over the rocky path requires a small element of scrambling over rocks, so not for the less mobile.