Hardraw Force.
Start. Hawes.
Route. Hawes - Brunt Acres Road - Haylands Bridge - Hardraw - Hardraw Force - Sedbusk Lane - Sedbusk - Haylands - Brunt Acres Road - Haylands Bridge - Hawes.
Notes. Come take a wander with us to a magical gorge cut by a Dales stream, we'll wander across the flood plane of the meandering River Ure and end the day strolling along an ancient highway. It's a grey day, the hills are shrouded in mist, it may rain, or may not, either way we're out in the fresh air.
We left Hawes via Brunt Acres Road, the twin arched Haylands Bridge assisted our fording of the river before a finger-post announced we'd reached the path to Hardraw. Through sheep pastures we wandered, easy walking over the flood plane of the River Ure, stiles topped with small gates aided our crossing of field boundaries. On reaching Hardraw we entered the public bar of the 13th century Green Dragon. In this inn they don't only serve food and drink, they pride themselves on being a waterfall provider, across the bar you pay your entry fee, the foot-path runs through the pub, we resisted a drink, crossed the landlords palm with a crisp fiver then strolled up the sylvan gorge.
The ninety foot cascade was in dramatic mood, thundering over the lip of the ravine, the noise was deafening, massive curtains of spray soaked the unwary rambler that got too close, of course that unwary rambler was me. We wandered along the paths that follow the waters of Hardraw Beck before returning to the village for lunch.
With full stomachs we hunted out the path that leads through some poor souls back yard, it's to the right of the Green Dragon signed Simonstone. Back on field paths rather than climb the hill we swung east, a green trod guided us to the start of Sedbusk Lane, an ancient road part of Lady Ann Clifford's Way, the narrow road (lane) kept us on track until we reached a finger post inviting us to Haylands Bridge. A short descent followed, a quaint cobbled packhorse bridge guided us over a stream before we stepped onto the tarmac of Brunt Acres Lane once more, all that remained to re-trace our steps back to Hawes.
From the outskirts of Hawes views to Pike Hill part of the Abbotside Common massif.
Seen over the flood plane of the River Ure, Wether Fell rising into a vale of cloud.
Viewing Cotter End from field paths south of Hardraw.
A quintessential part of the Yorkshire Dales, the field barn roofed with thackstones.
At 90ft the highest single drop waterfall in Britain, Hardraw Force.
The sign read, "it is strictly prohibited to walk behind the fall", it's a bit like the one on the bright red post box, "wet paint", the rebel in you just has to touch, so there I was behind the waterfall, and a wonderful experience it was.
From behind the forever falling curtain of water, views down the wooded gorge.
Your 're looking at perfect waterfall building geology, layers of sandstone, shale, carboniferous limestone and coal resting on a base of shale, over a few million years the stream cuts back into the hill creating a wonderful ravine and stunning water feature.
Wether Hill across Wensleydale.
Widdale Fell as seen over the tiny hamlet of Hardraw.
Another barn topped off with a thackstone roof, this one is a barn with a view, Dodd Fell with Wether Hill to the left and Widdale Fell rising out of shot to the right.
Strolling along Lady Ann Clifford's Way. I could waffle on for a couple of pages about Lady Ann Clifford but we're rambling today.
Widdale Fell seen over Haylands.
I feel this bridge with its single arch and cobbled walkway should have a name, but alas I can't find one.