Walking Forum

Regions - Trip reports, destination advice, recommended routes, etc. => Yorkshire Dales & Moors => Topic started by: dittzzy on 22:51:24, 25/06/18

Title: Ravenstonedale and Smardale Gill Nature Reserve
Post by: dittzzy on 22:51:24, 25/06/18
Looking for new walks not too far away from home, I thought we'd try this:- http://www.countryfile.com/walk/smardale-gill-cumbria-yorkshire-dales (http://www.countryfile.com/walk/smardale-gill-cumbria-yorkshire-dales)
Well, I can't recommend it highly enough, especially to those that love wildlife, and flowers in particular.  7 miles in the Yorkshire Dales in Cumbria, (yes, I know!)  Just brilliant at this time of year.
Herewith a few pics.  Start of the walk, looking over to Smardale Gill Viaduct

(http://i64.tinypic.com/1zc277n.jpg)

And this is Melancholy Thistle

(http://i65.tinypic.com/315ilb5.jpg)

Marsh Orchid
(http://i68.tinypic.com/2qjkbcp.jpg)

Rock Rose
(http://i63.tinypic.com/2cgymw7.jpg)


Bloody Cranesbill
 (http://i64.tinypic.com/296eiop.jpg)

Crossing the viaduct
(http://i66.tinypic.com/120j9sk.jpg)


From the other side
(http://i64.tinypic.com/2lkfxok.jpg)


Bird's Eye Primrose
(http://i68.tinypic.com/fp2hdt.jpg)

Looking back at the end
(http://i66.tinypic.com/15foy3a.jpg)

As I said, I couldn't recommend this one highly enough.  We've even decided to buy one one of the houses on route (when we win the lottery).   Will happily go back and do this one again and again.   :) :) :)
Title: Re: Ravenstonedale and Smardale Gill Nature Reserve
Post by: April on 23:19:44, 25/06/18
Nice photos dittzzy  O0 Looks like nice walking there  :)
Title: Re: Ravenstonedale and Smardale Gill Nature Reserve
Post by: adalard on 07:54:29, 26/06/18
Great photos, Dittzzy.  O0   I love all the wildflowers that are around this time of year.  :)
Title: Re: Ravenstonedale and Smardale Gill Nature Reserve
Post by: pleb on 12:54:07, 26/06/18
Great stuff.  O0
I have been over the viaduct..........but what kind of marsh orchid? Southern or Northern?  ;D
Title: Re: Ravenstonedale and Smardale Gill Nature Reserve
Post by: sunnydale on 22:29:36, 26/06/18
Lovely pics Tracey, especially the Birds Eye Primrose! 8)
Title: Re: Ravenstonedale and Smardale Gill Nature Reserve
Post by: dittzzy on 00:05:40, 27/06/18
Great stuff.  O0
I have been over the viaduct..........but what kind of marsh orchid? Southern or Northern?  ;D
I'll be honest Pleb,  I have no idea!  There were so many orchids there, some dark and some light like the one in the pic and some in between.  I didn't check the leaves, so they could be anything.

Lovely pics Tracey, especially the Birds Eye Primrose! 8)
Thanks Tracey, and it wasn't in the nature reserve.  I was dead pleased, since I've not seen one before. 
Title: Re: Ravenstonedale and Smardale Gill Nature Reserve
Post by: richardh1905 on 06:46:44, 28/06/18

Great stuff.  O0
I have been over the viaduct..........but what kind of marsh orchid? Southern or Northern?  ;D


Sounds a bit 'Holy Grail' to me  ;D
Title: Re: Ravenstonedale and Smardale Gill Nature Reserve
Post by: richardh1905 on 06:48:13, 28/06/18
Looks like a lovely spot, dittzzy; it has been recommended to us before, but never got around to it. That may change.