1. Raby Castle
Meeting Point: Raby Castle
We begin the Big Smile in the magnificent grounds of Raby Castle. We follow a broad path through the grassy landscape where Red and Fallow Deer herds live wild. We pass the impressively maintained medieval castle, built between 1367 and 1390 by John Neville, the 3rd Baron Neville de Raby.
We wander through Ladywood and then up towards Raby Home Farm and then Shotton enjoying the beautiful countryside home to some superb flora and fauna.
Eventually, we leave the Raby estate and find ourselves heading over Cockfield fell, common land pock marked with evidence of human habitation including flint arrowheads dating back to 8000BC.
We skirt around Cockfield itself and back through the estate to finish back at Raby Castle in a wonderful start to the Big Smile Walks.
Distance: 20 km ( 12.47 miles)
Difficulty Rating: ★★★☆☆
Sponsored By: The Ramside Hall Hotel
1. Raby Castle
Meeting Point: Raby Castle
We begin the Big Smile in the magnificent grounds of Raby Castle. We follow a broad path through the grassy landscape where Red and Fallow Deer herds live wild. We pass the impressively maintained medieval castle, built between 1367 and 1390 by John Neville, the 3rd Baron Neville de Raby.
We wander through Ladywood and then up towards Raby Home Farm and then Shotton enjoying the beautiful countryside home to some superb flora and fauna.
Eventually, we leave the Raby estate and find ourselves heading over Cockfield fell, common land pock marked with evidence of human habitation including flint arrowheads dating back to 8000BC.
We skirt around Cockfield itself and back through the estate to finish back at Raby Castle in a wonderful start to the Big Smile Walks.
Distance: 20 km ( 12.47 miles)
Difficulty Rating: ★★★☆☆
Sponsored By: The Ramside Hall Hotel
43. Buckden Pike Challenge
Date: 18/08/2021
Meeting Point: Car Park, Buckden, Skipton, BD23 5JA
Today, The Big Smile walk begins in the village of Buckden in Wharfedale. We cross the River Wharfe and follow it south, passing Foss Gill Cave, before recrossing the river at Starbotton.
From here, we follow Walden Road upwards around Starbotton Fell, and then up onto Buckden Pike at 700 metres. We descend from Buckden Pike to Cray, before winding our way around the valley towards Yokenthwaite. We then follow the Wharfe back towards our start point at Buckden.
This is a great fell walk which showcases some of the best countryside within the Yorkshire Dales, with the undulating landscape making it a good challenge for walkers wishing to stretch themselves.
Distance: 22.0 km (13.67 miles)
Difficulty Rating: ★★★☆☆
Sponsored By: