Dentdale, Dent, Aye Gill Pike, Cowgill, Yorkshire. Fri 26th Oct 2007

I parked in the lay-bye near Ibbeth Peril waterfall and set off under a dark gloomy sky along the road to Dent village. There were few cars about which is just as well at the narrow road has no footpath. Eventually I saw Dent village in the distance and was soon walking along its narrow cobbled street. There was an interesting shop on the left which had various items in the window, including a couple of Brooks bike saddles, which I haven’t seen in any bike shop before. Further on was the small trough and rock memorial to Adam Sedgwick the geologist who was born in Dent in 1785. As I left the village there was an interesting building on the left with some old memorabilia outside, including a car and Allice Chalmers tractor.

Roantree buildings

The road came back to the river Dee and I took a footpath across fields to rejoin the road at Barth Bridge. A narrow lane turns off to the right and I followed it up to a property with the intriguing name of Hacra. A stony track between stone walls followed then the track followed the river up a gully. I then emerged into open fields and could see the deserted buildings of Roantree to my right. I followed the track and wall steadily upwards to the long western approach of Aye Gill Pike.

The path isn’t much used but was fairly easy to follow. This is open access land and stiles are provided at the wall and fence crossings. After a steepish slog up the path levels and then I reached the trig point. It was only a couple of weeks since I was last here but this time I had a faint view of the far hills through the poor visibility. The last time I was in mist and couldn’t see anything. Apart from some detours to avoid boggy areas the path onwards was good and I continued till I came to the pine trees of Snaizwold Fell. Continuing the descent I came to the Garsdale to Cowgill track. This is a bridalway and has unfortunately been used a lot by motorbikers

A goods train approaching Dent Station.

Repairs to Cowgill Bridge in 1702.

I turned right to head for Cowgill and when I came to the first gate to get on the green way I reached the devastating damage done by the bikes. The ruts were so deep I don’t know how they get their machines in them. Eventually the grass flattened and I was wandering along a very pleasant track along High Ellershaw Edge where I had nice views towards the Rail Station at Dent and also a goods train coming along the line. A steep descent followed down to Cowgill where I had a look at the Church of St John but couldn’t get inside because the door was locked. A short walk down the road took me back to my car.