Crummack Dale and the Norber Erratics

Starting point  and OS Grid reference:  Village green Austwick (SD 767684) – on street parking		Ordnance Survey Map OL2 Yorkshire Dales Southern and Western. Buy this map from List of OS Maps   Note: If you use OS Maps on-line, you can download this route via this link.
Distance: 9 miles	Date of Walk: 23 November 2008
Ascent: Descent: See Walking Time Calculator	1186ft (362m) 1187ft (362m)
Traffic light rating:   (For explanation see My Walks page)
For advice on .gpx files see My Walks page	Click the PDF logo above to give a printable version of this walk without the photos.

To view route as a dynamic Ordnance Survey map click here.

Introduction: This is an easy walk with very little hard work in one of the lesser known Yorkshire Dales. You could well meet no-one else on this walk. It takes you across some classic limestone scenery and also gives you an opportunity to visit the Norber Erratics, a group of sandstone boulders which were transported from their “proper” place about a kilometre away by glaciers about 13 to15,000 years ago and left perched (in some cases dramatically) on top of limestone rocks.

The walk starts in the lovely classic Dales village of Austwick  and for the sake of a common reference point begins at the triangular village green with its restored  “cross”. Parking is on the street. To get to Austwick, turn north off the A65 between Long Preston and Ingleton where signposted.

Start: From the village green in Auswick (SD 767684) with the church behind you, walk along the main street in the direction of the signpost for Horton 5 miles. At Townhead Lane (SD 770687), turn left and continue for 5/600 yards until it meets broad tracks off to the right and left at a “crossroads” (SD 770692).

Turn left  and almost immediately right on to a footpath over a ladder stile. Cross the field to the wall on the left and follow it round and go over the stile in the corner. As you approach the rocky bluff, turn right then left at a 4 way fingerpost (SD 767697) to see the Norber Erratics. There is a slight climb and you will see the Erratics scattered around and you need to wander around them to see some of the more interesting ones.

When you have finished, there is a broad obvious grassy track which runs more or less through the middle heading more or less easterly and slightly downhill back towards Crummack Dale. Follow this to the stone wall then turn right. Walk along the side of the wall until you come to a stone step stile (SD 768698). Cross this and follow the footpath going slightly left passing under the cliffs of Nappa Scars. On reaching the tarmac road over a stile, turn left (SD 772697).

The tarmac road becomes a stony track. Remain on this passing a bridleway sign for Thieves Moss 2¹/₃ miles. Ignore a turning on the right to Wharfe and stay on the main track.

Eventually, the main track turns right over a cattle grid with a no public access sign and at this point, branch off the track straight ahead and through the gate which has a public footpath yellow marker next to it (SD 774717).

Keep straight ahead passing a bridleway sign for Horton in Ribblesdale. Ahead of you are the limestone cliffs of Moughton Scars. The path forks. Take the right fork heading for the ladder stile (marked as Beggars Stile on the OS map (SD 777726).

Climb the stile and on reaching the top of Moughton Scars, fork left and stay on the main path between the areas of limestone pavement heading roughly north heading for the limestone cliffs ahead of you. Ingleborough comes into view on the left.

As you approach the foot of the cliffs, this is the area known as Thieves Moss. Turn right here along a faint path walking  more or less parallel with the cliffs (SD 777731). After about a third of a mile, the path starts to move away from the cliffs heading in a south easterly direction between limestone pavement and past a stone cairn. It arrives at a finger post at a ladder stile (SD 790722). Do not cross the stile but turn right signposted Austwick 2¾ miles. You pass a row of grouse butts.

As you reach the south eastern end of Moughton Scars, turn right where a rectangular depression looks as though it has been cut into the rocky ground        (SD 787720). Descend, go through a gate (SD 784719) and follow the grassy walled lane. Stay on this walled lane until you reach another broad track (SD 779716). Turn left and stay on this track ignoring any turns off.

The track exits into the hamlet of Wharfe, a place you might never know existed as no road signs seem to point to it. As it does, turn left then immediately right and follow it down to the road where you turn right (SD 781792).

Turn left at the entrance to Woodend Farm signposted Feizor 1¾ miles and at the farm, turn right.

If you need to buy any hiking equipment/clothing before your trip see the Hiking Store

All information on this site is given in good faith and no liability is accepted in respect of any damage, loss or injury which might result from acting on it.