Thursday 1 September 2022 - The Dales High Way - Day 1 - Saltaire to Ilkley

I did this walk with Andrew in 2011. My daily reports start here. Should you wish to work your way through them, just click on 'Newer Post' at the bottom of each page.

I'd had the walk in mind for a while, but I wouldn't have set off without the encouragement from Cary, who has organised everything for the two of us to do the walk. Not bad going, as we only decided to go a week ago. Sadly Sue couldn't join us due to a long standing work commitment.

Leaving home at 7:30 this morning meant that I had to pay for the tram to Manchester Victoria. But having sorted out a Senior Railcard a couple of days ago, the journey to Saltaire, via Leeds, cost less than £12. My last Railcard was a card. Now I have to store it in an 'App' in my 'phone. I'm not a fan of this, but it worked today, and to be fair, in the past I've forgotten the card but remembered my phone!

The train to Leeds was cancelled, but another slower service still managed to get us to Saltaire by 10:40.

After a couple of hours in Salt Mill appreciating the galleries of wonderful Hockney images, we set off on the 12km stroll to Ilkley, taking rather less than four hours to reach the comfort of a well presented twin room at One Tivoli Place.

It was a lovely day for walking, with others enjoying being outdoors near the flesh pots of Saltaire and Ilkley, and deserted dessicated moorland in between.

Very little bird life - just a few Martins on view, with smaller birds no doubt busy in the heather, which is close to assuming a glorious purple colour.

Here's Cary on the moor near Horncliffe Well.

We passed the Twelve Apostles stone circle.

Being rather ahead of schedule, we lingered in the lovely weather at White Wells before ambling into Ilkley to reach our B&B by 4:30.