Knaresborough Round
Refreshments:
Scotton, Ferrensby, Goldsborough, Knaresborough
had been intending to walk the Knaresborough Round for some time but had never got round to it, putting it off for one reason after another. Three years on from completing the neighbouring Harrogate Ringway it was Spring 2010 and I finally decided to get on with it. After a couple of false dawns because of weekend restrictions and the weather I, along with brother Dave, my regular walking companion set out to do the deed. Unlike the Ringway which was completed in one day and with some fatigue we decided to do the Round over two weekends with the first leg distance decided on a 'see how we feel' format. Thus we set off from Forest Lane Head between Starbeck and Knaresborough not knowing where we would end up. But with my mobile phone and Lil with car to pick us up at our disposal we set off in good spirits. So, how far would we get?
As we set off from Forest Lane Head the first part of our walk was familiar. It took us into Spring Wood and towards Bilton Banks, a favourite part of the Nidd Gorge near Scotton Banks. This stretch of the Knaresborough Round also serves as part of the Harrogate Ringway so we had walked this part before, but the woods and gorge are lovely so it was, as always, a pleasurable passage through the woodland and over the river via a footbridge at Scotton Banks. For me the rest of the day was new adventure. Dave had done sections before but not I as we walked out of the Nidd Gorge to Gates Hill and then after carefully crossing the B6165 along a quiet road to Scotton and then onto bridleway and across fields to Lingerfield then Brearton. The walking was pleasant through quaint North Yorkshire farming land with sights like spring lambs playing and enjoying their new existence and of a kaleidoscope of colourful blossom from many sorts of trees including Blackthorn, Hawthorn, Cherry, Horse Chestnut and Hornbeam. The familiar spring smells were abounding too, new flora springing up everywhere.
Hike
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