Tuesday July 12th



 Settle and Attermire Scar

Having arrived in Settle, unloaded the car and had a break, we decided to do a short walk from the Cicerone guidebook which was easily accessible from our front door. Lesson One: even if GPS has pinpointed exactly where you are, use a compass to check which direction you’re pointing! Having followed David’s “instinct” to walk towards Malham, we retraced our steps to walk north through the village backroads on the Pennine Bridleway, passing a languid black cat lounging on his own patch. 

A laid-back local
We had a steady climb, past the Castlebergh Plantation with its sports-climbing crag (all French grades) and up through some meadows with a view back to Settle. 
Settle from the Pennine Bridleway
After a while we reached the junction with the Dales High Way (that’s correct!) which we followed steeply eastwards, signposted to Malham. After a kilometre or so, it levelled out and started to descend slightly and we were reminded of how spectacular Yorkshire limestone can be. 
Limestone architecture (with black cows in the distance)
After negotiating a field of black and hot-looking cows, we turned north again through Attermire Scar, passing Victoria Cave; David couldn’t resist the steep path up to it but Jacinta (sensibly, as ever) stayed on the main path. 
Entrance to Victoria Cave. It’s big!
Despite having a head torch, David paid heed to the barriers and notice not to go further. 


Shortly after the cave, we met another junction and took the track running west to the Clay Pits Plantation. This was where we rejoined the Pennine Bridleway, this time returning southwards to Settle, to be welcomed by the black panther. 
Settle welcoming committee 

A pleasant walk for an arrival day. 5.2 miles, 350m ascent. 



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