Over Giggleswick Scar to Feizor

The Tuesday of our holiday in Settle we spent mooching around the town and the “twin” village of Giggleswick and we went to a concert in the evening at the Victoria Hall to see a band called Moishe’s Bagel who played folk / world music. We’d never heard of them but thought it would be good to get out and we certainly enjoyed the evening. They are, apparently, regulars at the venue and it was certainly packed out with locals.

The following morning I planned a route that would take me over Giggleswick Scar, which we could see from the window in our holiday let, and then on over the moors to the hamlet of Feizor.

So, I booted up, packed my rucksack and set off over the bridge to Giggleswick.

The view from the bridge (apologies to Arthur Miller!)

I skirted the village and was soon walking up on the open moor towards the Scar

The view across to the hills I’d walked the previous Sunday

Starting the climb up towards the scar. The summit of Penyghent just visible in the distance

Continuing up the hill

At the top of the climb I took the path under the dramatic limestone cliffs of Giggleswick Scar

There were a number of caves visible up in the cliffs.

Drystone walls even up here. It must have been hard work building this one that went right up and over the cliffs

Towards the end of the scar the path turned right and climber up on to the moor

Heading north now and Ingleborough appeared on the horizon

I carried on, and after a while the small settlement of Fiezor came into view

It’s a hamlet rather than a village but it has a rather good, and popular, cafe. Time to stop for a brew!

Refreshed, it was time to recommence my walk, climbing over the stile immediately opposite the cafe

On through a field, passing a couple of grazing donkeys

and a herd of cattle. That looks like a bull over towards the wall. It was too busy munching to notice me but I didn’t hang around and hopped over the stile fairly sharpish!

I was back on the open moor now, following the path towards Stainforth on the Dales High Way. That’s Pot Scar over the valley

with Smearsett Scar further ahead. There was the possibility of climbing tot he top, but I carried on following the Dales High Way path. That’s a climb for another day, I think.

The summit of Penyghent appeared in the distance

Looking down into the “Happy Valley”, a glacial valley mentioned by Wainwright in his “Walks in Limestone Country”

A section of limestone pavement

Looking across towards Penyghent as I started to descend

Descending towards Little Stainforth

Coming off the moor

Passing through the small settlement of Little Stainforth, also known as Knights Stainforth

I passed the rather grand Knights Stainforth Hall, an old manor house built in 1672. It’s a Grade 2 listed building

I carried on down the hill, reaching the old packhorse bridge we’d crossed only two days before. I decided to revisit the water fall and have a bite to eat while resting by the water.

There wasn’t another soul to be seen – although an RAF transport plane flew over head while I rested. That woke me up, I can tell you!

I took the path crossing the railway line and passed through Stainforth village, then made my way along the path that climbed up Stainforth Scar.

The view back across the valley towards Ingleborough

and over towards Penyghent

Crossing the fields after climbing up the scar

Taking the path towards Lower Winskill farm

Passing the farm, I tool the path through the fields and started the descent towards Langcliffe

It was a steep descent

Looking back up the hill.

Looking back to Stainforth Scar after I’d finished my descent

I followed the old lanes through the network of fields. We’d walked along them on Monday.

I reached Langcliffe, emerging by the Community hall,

and then walked across the village green.

I decided to take the old road back to Settle and then made my way back to our cottage. I was ready for a brew!

This was another good walk and I could see plenty of scope for variation – including climbing Smearsett Scar and visiting Catrigg Force waterfall. Further exploration of the area is certainly warrented.