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

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A track leaves the lane behind the small car park, heading west and gently gaining height above the Lower Barden Reservoir. Ahead in the middle distance you can make out the grassy bank of the upper dam and on the skyline is Cracoe Fell, distinguished by its obelisk, clearly recognisable even from here. After a mile (1.6km), take the right branch at a fork, the onward track twisting round to give a view across the expanse of water to Barden Fell. A little further on, ignore a grass track that leaves on the right, shortly after which the grassed dam of the upper reservoir pops into view. Keep walking for another mile (1.6km), the gentle ascent then levelling to another junction above the higher lake at Brown Bank.

The Lower Barden Reservoir from the start of the walk

Despite the intrusions, the area has a splendid sense of remoteness and is a noted site for bird watchers. The reservoirs attract a multitude of water birds, in particular the black-headed gull for which this area is one of the largest breeding sites in the country. The moor is home to grouse and you’ll hear the croaky, laughing call as the birds stumble into the air on stubby wings for a short, faltering flight as you pass them. They feed on the carpet of heather, bilberry and crowberry that cloaks the hillside, periodically burnt off to ensure a steady regeneration of new growth.