Following the Nidd Valley Railway

I had the idea for this walk when I was studying a map of Nidderdale, trying to work out an interesting walk that both went somewhere I had not been before and which might be suitable for a day with a weather forecast of constant rain. I noticed a footpath running along a section of the embankment of the disused Nidd Valley Railway, and wondered if it would be possible to do a walk that followed as much of this old railway line as was possible.

the Severe climberNovember 28, 2025November 28, 20258 Comments

Hiking

Walking Through History in Upper Nidderdale

This was a walk that was not long in distance, but was full of the rich history of Nidderdale. The historic sights included a disused tramway, an abandoned quarry, a former railway line, and a unique, pentagon-shaped chapel. It was a varied and interesting route through a beautiful dale. Continue reading Walking Through History in Upper Nidderdale

the Severe climberDecember 28, 2023May 1, 20249 Comments

Hiking

Nidderdale Way – Stage 4: Bewerley to Birstwith

My fourth day on the Nidderdale Way had a folly, a close encounter with running deer, and a beautiful old packhorse bridge. All of this on a walk that took me over moors, along riverbanks, through woods, and across meadows. It was a walk with variety, great views, and fascinating historical sights. Unfortunately, this walk also involved a horrible path that has been my low point on the Nidderdale Way. Continue reading Nidderdale Way – Stage 4: Bewerley to Birstwith

the Severe climberJuly 13, 2023April 10, 20244 Comments

Hiking

Nidderdale Way – Stage 3: Middlesmoor to Bewerley

The third stage of the Nidderdale Way started with what must be one of the best views in the Yorkshire Dales, and took in hay meadows, rolling pastures, a pretty reservoir, a lovely valley, and the ruins of a lead mine. It was a gorgeous walk that an encounter with some irate cows couldn’t spoil. Continue reading Nidderdale Way – Stage 3: Middlesmoor to Bewerley

the Severe climberJune 26, 2023April 10, 20249 Comments

Hiking

Nidderdale Way – Stage 2: Lofthouse to Middlesmoor

Walking the second stage of the Nidderdale Way was a day of green fields, lush woods, caves, a disappearing river, moors, a castellated dam, and an abandoned village. It was brilliant. Even if you are not going to walk the whole Nidderdale Way, this loop through the upper part of the dale makes for a grand day. Continue reading Nidderdale Way – Stage 2: Lofthouse to Middlesmoor

the Severe climberJune 8, 2023April 10, 20245 Comments

Hiking

Nidderdale Way – Stage 1: Pateley Bridge to Lofthouse

It was an inauspicious start to an amazing walk. Within the first few minutes of starting on the 54-mile (87km) Nidderdale Way, I was a bit lost. My guidebook had directed me to walk down Mill Lane in Pateley Bridge before passing “between houses to reach a footpath that signs you up a narrow alley along the backs of houses.” I was now wandering around the cul-de-sac of Mill Lane wondering where the Nidderdale Way had disappeared to. The large number of signs on houses and gates proclaiming “private”, “no right of way” and “no footpath” suggested that I was not the first person to get confused about where to go, and that the people who had come before me had decided the way to go was through someone’s garden. Luckily, I spotted a small footpath sign pointing to an inconspicuous, narrow alley partly obscured by greenery. Continue reading Nidderdale Way – Stage 1: Pateley Bridge to Lofthouse

the Severe climberMay 26, 2023April 10, 202414 Comments