With clear information, an overview and introduction for each walk,
expertly written numbered directions, large scale Ordnance Survey maps,
superb eye-grabbing panoramic photographs, and interpretation of points
of interest along the way, these guides set a new standard in clarity
and ease-of-use.
Many memories of walks in the Dales
are distilled into the fine views one experiences, and it would be a
mistake to assume that great views necessarily entail sustained climbs
up to the top of the nearest fells.
As Wordsworth would have it, one
might be ‘surprised by joy’ when coming out of a belt of woodland into
fields, or onto the edge of a limestone outcrop, or discovering a hidden
valley. Finding a contouring path with a panorama of the bucolic dale
below slowly unfolding is so rewarding, as is contemplating the changes
of light as the shadows of clouds play upon the wide open moorlands so
characteristic of the Yorkshire Dales.
The underlying geology, mainly of
gritstone and limestone, give rise to different farming practices and
other land use which, in turn, provide different vistas and experiences
for the walker. Classic Dales’ scenery of limestone pavements, scars and
screes features strongly as do the atmospheric limestone gorges formed
by glacial action. The two main upland glacial lakes in the Dales and
their associated wetlands also feature, as do some lovely riverside
strolls through flower-rich meadows.
These walks reflect the variety of
scenery in the landscapes of the Yorkshire Dales. They are also an
invaluable guide to the best views and locations for the keen
photographer.
