The views are particularly striking from the two highest points of the walk, on the grassy ridge of Birks. I enjoy starting the walk in the small village of Litton, partly because it is an attractive village but mainly because it has a pleasant pub, the Queens Arms. Start by heading directly towards the River Skirfare, cross it at the footbridge and turn right and head north west along the far bank.
The path does not keep to the river but is on marginally higher ground to the west, this avoids any wet ground and improves the views. The views consist of a peaceful scene, some lovely Dales barns and an impressive U-shaped valley. It is hard to imagine that it was only 15,000 years ago that large glaciers filled this dale and others around.
The tiny hamlet of Halton Gill is a delight but little more than an extended farm and barns. Enter the village by crossing a footbridge back to the north side and follow the footpath into this lovely hamlet. (Image: Jonathan Smith) From Halton Gill a farm track zig zags steeply up the fellside for nearly 1,000 feet.
The effort is worth it though, with dramatic views opening up over the higher fells of the Dales. A quick detour to the trig point at Horse Head brings the "Dales 30" mountains of Fountain Fell and Pen-y-Ghent into view in the south and a personal favourite, Great Knoutberry Hill further north. (Image: Jonathan Smith) The track is excellent as it descends steeply in to Langstrothdale and the hamlet of Yockenthwaite.
One of the del.