How many more hikes has he got left in the bag? If I’m honest, the answer is THREE more including this one. Truly this is just a walk and I will use the #walkwithme tag to show that.

I can see the file stamps on my images are 7th August 2018, which means most of the great weather has finished. I had just been offered a position in Skipton several days beforehand so was eager to check the place out.

As this walk goes right past my future place of work (now present) it seemed a good idea to try this one.

Here is the link from iFootpath, it’s only around 2 miles and is woodland.

The walk start by going down these unsightly steps which then join the Leeds/Liverpool canal.

Passing under the road we were met with a retail business trading on the canal towpath, a novel idea!

From there, the path is raised as it curves through quite dense foliage around the back of Skipton Castle.

Skipton Castle is a medieval castle in Skipton, North Yorkshire, England. It was built in 1090 by Robert de Romille, a Norman baron, and has been preserved for over 900 years.

The castle is in great condition and is not a ruin like many of the ancient English castles I have come across.

Walking around the back of it, you can see it is imposing and enemies would have a hard time getting passage from this vantage point.

See that hole in the wall? (above). That is a shithole I kid you not. Having been here years before I remember the ancient toilets consists of a few of these holes. Handy when your enemies are trying to scale em!

We were a little unsure about our dog ‘Shadow’ whether he was going to start looking through the gaps in the bridge and maybe fall, but it seems he has a little common dog-sense after all.

Crossing this iron bridge, and heading up a short road took us to the entrance of the woods. There was a sign stating, ‘Dogs must be kept on leads’.

We saw many other free-roaming dogs within the woods but decided to adhere to the policy. If not he would have found the muddiest places to frolic in thus creating more work for us.

The woods were pretty but without any great highlights for photography. The small falls took my interest but they are not going to compete with Niagra!

For such a small walk and being in the middle of a weekday, there were plenty of other walkers about. Bad news when @bingbabe suddenly tells me, ‘I need a piss’. So I had to be on guard duty while she tried her best to be innocuous squatting behind a large tree.

The top end of the woods contained the drainage system. Beautiful brown water accosted our eyes, and was a sight of wonder.

We quickly moved past this ‘highlight’ and made our way back and up a steep hill. I can now understand why it stated, ‘Dogs must be kept on leads’.

The drop to the lake below was steep and almost vertical. I would imagine death or serious injury if you fell down here. The photograph does not do it justice.

Exiting the woods, we walked past the entrance to Skipton Castle (cover picture). We have both done the tour before, but its been years ago. I will keep that tale for another day.

All photographs were taken by myself.