Starting at Harewood, we take a relatively steady route to Otley – firstly, on the Ebor Way, around part of the perimeter of the Harewood Estate to pass through Stank, Stub House farm and then to skirt the northern side of Eccup where we pick up The Dales Way.
We’ll leave the Dales Way/Ebor Way at Bank Top to pick out a path running alongside Arthington Quarry and then take quiet paths to avoid most of the town of Bramhope and rejoin the two ‘Ways’ after our lunch and visit to the Fox and Hounds on the western side of Bramhope. Steady climbing is the order of the day when we first reach the outskirts of Bramhope (nothing too severe though) and then we aim for ‘Surprise View’ atop The Chevin.
After lunch and leaving Bramhope we take field paths and head through Caley Deer Park (keep your eyes peeled), followed by another ‘steady’ climb up to our highest point of the day at ‘Surprise View’, surprising and very enjoyable it is too! We will take refreshments now and have a bit of a rest (weather permitting as it is rather exposed up’top).
Suitably refreshed and loins ‘girded’ we will start our descent of the rather steep and direct path down to the town of Otley – walking sticks will be a distinct advantage here so, unpack those carry-sticks as their time has come but fortunately, we’ll be going down and not up!!!
All too soon we arrive in the town – hopefully, safe and sound following 
our descent - there are many café’s and pubs to choose from and, hopefully, they will still be open for us to enjoy.
'B' Walk - Leaders-Elaine, Jean, Isabel. Dist.- 8.2 miles. Ascent - 900 ft. Grade - Mod+. Clockwise.
After leaving the coach in the town centre we cross the stone road bridge over the River Wharfe, turning eastwards along the riverside path as far as the first footbridge. We re-cross the river, passing through Gallows Hill Nature Reserve and head towards the Garden Centre on Pool Road. We will pause here for a coffee stop and toilets.
We now take a footpath from the rear of the Garden Centre, across fields to emerge briefly on to the busy road. A change in direction, southwards and eastwards along more field paths, leads to a disused railway track which we follow briefly before making a short steep climb through Caley Hall Farm on to Pool Bank. This is an ideal place to take an early lunch and to enjoy superb views of the Wharfedale Valley below.
After lunch we join the Dales Way long distance path westwards through Chevin Forest Park and on to the highest points on the ridge at 'Surprise View'.
After taking in the views we begin our descent through woodland following various paths, some steep in places, back into Otley. A short road walk will take us back to our starting point.
This is an interesting, varied walk in this delightful area. The section along the Chevin is spectacular and well worth the effort needed to get there. Please note the Mod + 'grading of the walk, so a walking pole is strongly advised, particularly for the descent from The Chevin back into Otley. There are also several tricky stiles to contend with on the route.
We hope you enjoy the walk as much as we did on the recce.
C' Walk - Leader - Jane Taylor. Distance - 5.7 miles. Ascent - 468 ft. Grade - Mod.+ Clockwise
I have suggested that this lovely and varied walk out of Otley is moderate plus
because it involves a long climb on our way out of the town, although I’m led to believe that when Dennis took the C group along a similar route in 2019 the ascent was even greater. All the footpaths are good and there are only four stone wall stiles to climb over and a few contented cows, not interested in us, to contend with.
We will be dropped off on Cattle Market Street and take a short walk over the bridge crossing the River Wharfe to the Riverside Café which offers a variety of breakfast sandwiches, toast, teacakes, cakes and scones to name a few of the options available. Card payments only though.
Afterwards we retrace our steps to the bridge and cross the road to the Six Dales Trail then walk along Green Lane to Weston Lane. We will be climbing ever so slightly as we go but it is only when we leave the houses and go through a gap in the hedge that the real ascent begins. From here on it is steadily onwards and upwards at our own pace over fields, along wooded lanes, and past farmland to the edge of the village of Clifton.
This is the highest point of the walk and we will have covered about
three miles, so over half way. Our descent begins over lush grassy meadows to Newall Carr Side where we will call at a pub called The Roebuck. On the recce it was closed and we sat on the wall outside to eat our sandwiches but I found a quiet corner away from the pub itself which I am sure that we could use. They also have an outside patio where weather permitting it might be nice to call and have a welcomed drink (and use the facilities).
Suitably refreshed we carry on to Copmanroyd Farm which is where Alan and I came across the cows and the 
stone stiles. Once over their land we have a bit of road walking, along a good footpath, down towards the River Wharfe and back to the park and Riverside Café, and the bridge on the edge of Otley.
From here on it will be up to the group what they wish to do as I imagine there will be plenty of time left before we need to board the coach.
Otley has a variety of shops, cafes and pubs to explore and a fish and chip café close to where the coach will pick us up. I will bring a few copies of a street map of the town with me then no one should worry about getting lost and can make the most of the time available to us. All we need is good weather, so fingers crossed!!
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