Capplestone Gate & Conistone Pie from Conistone

This Yorkshire Dales walk traverses some fine limestone scenery above Wharfedale. The start is near the village of Conistone and the route takes you high above the dale to enjoy some wonderful views. A section of the Dales Way is used for this walk.

Technical sheet

293185
A Conistone with Kilnsey walk posted on 04/07/16 by Walking Britain. Last update : 27/02/18
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 11.48 km
  • ◔
    Calculated time: 4h 15 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: Yes
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 346 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 346 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 516 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 185 m

Description

(S/E)Parking is at a premium in Conistone, so leave the Grassington to Kettlewell Road just before Kilnsey Crag, and park on the downstream side of the bridge over the Wharfe (grid ref. SD978675). From the bridge walk into the village. In the centre continue past the maypole and take the left hand lane to a gate. Continue uphill on a very stony surface. The path (now the Dib) narrows and you find yourself walking through a high-sided limestone gorge to arrive at an open area, where the gully spreads wide, and the sides are covered with vast spills of limestone rocks that are most dramatic. The path is easy to follow and you will arrive at a second gate (grid ref. SD990679).

(1)Ignore the path going right to Grassington and continue ahead. The path continues to climb steadily to reach a junction with the Dales Way (grid ref. SD992682). Turn left along the Dales Way for a short distance to turn right onto a track known as Bycliffe Road.

(2)This track continues to climb and becomes enclosed by walls. Reaching a junction of tracks and paths where Bycliffe Road goes sharp right (grid ref. SD997686), go left through a gate and follow a track/path towards a small plantation. The path climbs across the hillside passing to the right of the plantation and continues to pass a small rocky outcrop to pass through a gate and make for the OS trig point at Capplestone Gate (grid ref. SE001699).

(3)To continue follow the sometimes indistinct path that heads just east of north for just over 800 metres to a stile in the wall on your left (grid ref. SD997708). The path descends steeply at first and continues roughly south-west becoming a clearer track as you descend. Exit this field through a gate (grid ref. SD984704) near the right-hand corner of this long field. Continue heading roughly north-west towards a gate into a plantation (grid ref. SD981705). Do not go through the gate but turn sharp left and follow the level path.

(4)You are back on the Dales Way and this should be followed for just over one and a half miles. On the way you will pass the distinctive Conistone Pie on your right before reaching Bycliffe road again (grid ref. SD992682). Turn right down the Bycliffe Road (now named Scot Gate Lane on OS maps), with Conistone Dib below on your left. The track passes a radio mast on your right and then descends Wassa bank towards the Conistone to Kettlewell road. Turn left along this to return to the start.

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 185 m - Start: bridge over the Wharfe
  2. 1 : km 1.32 - alt. 278 m - Continue straight on at gate
  3. 2 : km 1.77 - alt. 331 m - Turn right onto Bycliffe Road
  4. 3 : km 3.95 - alt. 508 m - Continue north at Capplestone Gate
  5. 4 : km 6.99 - alt. 318 m - Turn left onto the Dales Way
  6. S/E : km 11.48 - alt. 185 m - Finish: bridge over the Wharfe

Useful Information

This walk offers some of the best limestone scenery that Wharfedale offers. The route takes you high above the dale with some glorious views so do choose a fine day to take this walk.

Please note that the first part over the rocky path requires a small element of scrambling over rocks, so not for the less mobile.

Always stay careful and alert while following a route. Visorando and the author of this walk cannot be held responsible in the event of an accident during this route.

Reviews and comments

4.2 / 5
Based on 3 reviews

Clarity of route description
4.3 / 5
Clarity of route map
3.7 / 5
Walk interest
4.7 / 5
Endorphin
Endorphin

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : 24/07/20
Clarity of route description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Walk interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Some stunning views most of the way round, really enjoyed the Dales countryside.

lynshaun
lynshaun

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of walk : 15/07/18
Clarity of route description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Walk interest : ★★★★☆ Good

This was a lovely walk we were blessed with glorious weather though , the only confusing part was once we had gone past the gorge through the gate into the fields, It is a bit confusing with lots of paths going off in different directions. that really was the only let down in the description.

Sarita J
Sarita J

Thank you for your feedback on this walk. I've added your comment on scrambling to the walk description. If you have any suggestions of how we can improve the wording around the Dales Way, I could make that change as well. It sounds like it could be helpful for future walkers

nicola27
nicola27

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : 23/02/18
Clarity of route description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Walk interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Fantastic scenic walk. Would be useful to note that the first part over the rocky path requires a small element of scrambling over rocks - definitely not for the less mobile, but was a fantastic experience.

Slightly confusing in the part before you join the Dales Way for the first time - its through a gate then left onto the path then left then through a gate then right. Just took us a while to work out.

Thoroughly recommend!

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The GPS track and description are the property of the author.

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