UKC

I'm going to be in Skipton over Christmas. Is there a towpath along the canal which is suitable for running?

Yep. The surface between Skipton and Gargrave is lovely for running on. The opposite direction is good to Kildwick, then a muddy, sloppy mess to Silsden. 

If you have some grippy shoes, Skipton Moor is nice too. Also plenty of options from Embsay onto Barden Moor and Crookrise, from Bolton Abbey and, for what I think is the best view in the Dales, Simon's Seat.

Thanks. I was wondering which direction would be best! We've done a bit up Wharfedale before, including assorted bits and pieces up and down from Bolton Abbey. Given everything else we've got going on, flat and easy is probably going to be the name of the game.

You can get up onto Sharp Haw / Rough Haw (North West) quite easily from Skipton. Can be muddy but a decent summit.

As above, Circuits on Skipton Moor are possible. The canal towpath is quite rural but flat and hard... (Dalesman Cafe in Gragrave, and visit the loos and support GNAT). (cafe on platform at Hellifield)

There are reasonable trains from Skipton either to Steeton of Gargrave / Hellifield.

Thanks Paul. From the map, it looks like you can get up Sharp Haw and Rough Haw along the Dales High Way, which seems to go through the centre of Skipton - could be a nice option.

Unfortunately, we're only there on the 25th and 26th, and there aren't trains on those days, but I'll bear that idea in mind for future trips.

Lovely route, but beware the bogmonster. It can be knee-deep in places up there!

Warning duly noted!

For anyone else that might fancy a cuppa at the cafe on Hellifield station, they are closed 20 Dec 2024 to 3 Jan 2025

https://www.facebook.com/Shed24H/posts/pfbid0veL6NaR7Fucmc3bCsjSuj1J9otUyYS...