AUSTWICK is one of the most attractive villages in the Yorkshire Dales, and Feizor one of the finest hamlets with an excellent café.
Between is a mix of farmland and lovely limestone scenery. The walk may be short but it’s a delight.
Park near the Game Cock in the village of Austwick, just off the A65 north of Settle. The area around Austwick has been inhabited for 4,000 years and is popular with archaeologists but its most notable feature is not man-made but the large sandstone boulders which litter the landscape. These boulders sit and protect the limestone underneath and were dumped about 12,000 years ago by the retreating glaciers of the last ice age.
Start the walk from the central cross and head south east for 30 metres, just past a small bridge take a left turn on to Wood lane and in to the open sheep fields. At a meeting of tracks carry on up Wood Lane, through an open gate and on to the fellside. This is Oxenber Wood, a Site of Special Scientific Significance. An information board gives information on the area and you are free to leave the paths and wander around the slopes.
The area hillside used to be the site of Austwick Quarry but now has been covered over with short grass and native woodland. With Spring upon us the area will soon be a field of pretty bluebells and other woodland flowers.
The official path heads north and soon north east next to the wall. The path passes through five gates or stile, past a farm and is most noticeable for the views to the left. The near village is Wharfe but beyond is the massive bulk of Ingleborough.
Austwick Feizor map
The path turns in to farm track, and crosses a small stream. Just past the stream an unsigned footpath goes through a gate back on to the hillside. It is easy to spot due to the rusted remains of an old tractor. Climb the four fields until a stile takes you on to a major farm track. Turn right and follow the track as it passes under some fine limestone scars to your left. Opposite the scars the track starts to drop and bend left as it heads for the hamlet of Feizor. Feizor is a lovely spot, little more than a large Dales farm, extended by a few grey stone houses. There is a little unexpected gem in Feizor in the form of Elaine’s Tea Shop, a perfect place to stop and refresh.
From the café head over the shallow ford in the road and look for a sign to Austwick on your right. Follow the walled lane (part of the Pennine Bridleway) for just over half a mile, passing a derelict barn on your left and crossing another ford on the track. The lane, still walled, turns northerly past a large house on your right and soon meets the crossing of paths near the start of the walk. Austwick is clearly visible to your right and at the crossing of the paths turn left and return to the village. The Norber Erratics can be seen on the hillside opposite, just above the impressive Proctor’s Scar.
* Fact Box:
Distance: Roughly 4.5 miles
Height to Climb: 150m (495 feet).
Start: SD 768685. Austwick. Park near the Game Cock pub.
Difficulty: Easy/Medium: Very straightforward walking, mainly on farm tracks.
Refreshments: The Game Cock in Austwick is good but leave time for the café in Feizor.
Be Prepared: The route description and sketch map only provide a guide to the walk. You must take out and be able to read a map (O/S Explorer OL2 & OL41) and in cloudy/misty conditions a compass (essential on this walk). You must also wear the correct clothing and footwear for the outdoors. Whilst every effort is made to provide accurate information, walkers head out at their own risk.
* Jonathan is the owner of Where2walk, a walking company based in the Yorkshire Dales:
He has written three books on walking in the Dales; ‘The Yorkshire 3 Peaks’, ‘The Dales 30’ mountains and the ‘Walks without Stiles’ book. Buy them direct from Where2walk
Jonathan also runs Navigation Courses for Beginners/Refreshers in the Dales. For those wishing to leave paths and explore further he also runs Hill Skills days. The next available date is June 7 in Long Preston.
He also leads hiking days over the ‘Dales 30’ mountains. Ingleborough and Buckden Pike soon. Dates on the website.
Where2walk.co.uk features hundreds of walks with descriptions across Yorkshire and beyond, from easy strolls to harder climbs. Visit the website for details of all these walks, guiding days and navigation courses.
