Embsay Crag Walk

OS Map: 

Start Grid Reference: GR:  SE 010 538

Walk distance:  7 miles

Date walked: 28th April 2012

Time: 3 hours approximately

Route: Self planned.

View Embsay Crag Walk in a larger map

This walk starts from the village of Embsay (the home of the Embsay Steam Train) a short distance from Skipton.  This is the first time I have walked on Embsay Moor and was really impressed with the Crag and the moorland walk.  In the main the walk is fairly straight forward, although there are a couple of places little more care in following the route needs to be taken.  These are pointed out on the map.

Start of the Walk

The walk starts by going through the field (with sheep on our walk) at the back of the car park.

View towards Embsay Crag

There are two features that dominate this walk the Crag and the Embsay Moor Reservoir.

View over Embsay Moor Reservoir from Embsay Crag.

Past the Crag, the walk takes you up onto the moors.  This is one of the places where care needs to be taken (see map Waypoint 6).  These moors are grouse shooting moors and, before turning left from the broad track, you will find a two turf-roofed buildings with tables and chairs for the shooters.

Shooting huts

Now the walk follows the track to the shooting buts, beyond which the path becomes less distinct, but it is not difficult to reach the path by the reservoir.  By now the clouds had cleared somewhat and we had more great views of the Crag and the Reservoir.

Embsay Crag over Embsay Moor Reservoir

This walk was fitted in to coincide with a visit to Skipton.  It was an area I was unfamiliar with, being more familiar with the Dales further north, so it was a surprise that it was such an enjoyable walk and an area I will certainly return to.