Читать книгу Walking in the Yorkshire Dales: South and West. Wharfedale, Littondale, Malhamdale, Dentdale and Ribblesdale онлайн

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Dentdale is subtly different from the rest, a valley of hedgerows and occasional trees that lend a greater feeling of warmth and intimacy than the grey stone walls defining the field patterns elsewhere. West-facing, it looks out not onto lowland plains, but the mountains of Cumbria, and there is a sense of seclusion from the rest of the world not experienced in the other dales. This perception is heightened in the approach from whichever direction, for the lanes are narrow and twisting right from the start. But, in common with its neighbours, it is grand walking country and every route is enjoyable from the very first step.

THE YORKSHIRE DALES NATIONAL PARK

Centred upon the core of this unique area is the Yorkshire Dales National Park, created in 1954, the seventh of the UK’s national parks. The then omission of Nidderdale, Mallerstang, the Howgills and the western outlying hills was heavily criticised, for although beyond the bounds of Yorkshire, they are geologically and geographically connected and equally deserving of protection. Forty years were to pass before Nidderdale was finally designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and it was not until August 2016 that the National Park’s boundaries were extended to include the remaining areas.