Scott's Adventure Blog: 29/30th March 2013- Pennine Way- Hebden Bridge to Gargrave

I parked at Hebden Bridge near the station in a pay and display and then walked along the canal for a couple of miles till I reached the bridge where the Pennine Way Crosses. I followed the Pennine Way north up the steeps sides of the valley until the gradient was less steep but was even more difficult due to the metre high snow drifts which made it impossible to walk at normal speed. I lost my legs up to my waist in the deep snow a couple of times but pushed on along farmers field and moorland.

Stoodley Pike Monument in the distance

After Gorple Reservoir the path had less drifts and it was easier walking past the Walshaw Resevoirs but then again more difficult over the moors at Withins Heights. I passed the ruins of the ruined farmhouse which apparently was the inspiration for the novels location (not read it myself, so can’t comment). I saw few people on most of my walk but saw the most people on the decent down to Ponden Resevoir. I was also surprised to see footpath signs in Chinese (I think) as well as English. After walking round Ponden Resevoir I continued uphill on moorland to Wolf Stones, where I reached the top after battling with the foot deep snow.

Light was starting to fade so I considered a wild camp on the hill but decided to gamble on their being an open campsite in Cowling, so I headed on down the hill till I finally reached the village of Cowling and was happy when the campsite owner let my onto his field for £4 with the use of a toilet and shower. I pitched the tent and got everything in the tent and struggled to take my boots off as the laces had frozen. After eating Super Noodles and Tuna and tried to get to sleep while I was still feeling warm. It was a cold night and I woke a few times, but I eventually woke at 5:30. I made a coffee and had flapjack breakfast and then packed up my gear and after fighting to put on my frozen boots I got out of the tent to pack it up and left the campsite just before 7:00.

Try opening that gate

After quite a few battles with snow drifts I walked onto Lothersdale and then upto Elslack Moor where there was a great 360 view as it had turned out to be another sunny but cold day. I carried on down to Thornton in Craven and then to East Marton across fields occupied by lambs and their mothers reminding me it was spring.

Views from Elslack Moor

There was still some snow, but across the fields it was muddy and I wish I had put my gaiters on. It was undulating grazing land all the way to the end of the walk at Gargrave and I made it to the end of the walk by about 11am with an hour wait for the train to Leeds where I changed to Hebden Bridge, where I had a fish butty from the chippy before driving home.