EarbySkipton

Earski two
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Slow Way not verified yet. Verify Earski here.

By Mary Oz on 22 Nov 2023


Distance

12km/8mi

Ascent

-

Descent

-

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Description

I thought I’d try out this former railway route, hoping that it would be a good wet weather alternative to EarSki One. It follows the former Colne-Skipton rail link. Campaign for Better Transport has this as a priority one candidate for re-opening:
https://bettertransport.org.uk/campaigns/reopen-rail-lines/ and
https://www.selrap.org.uk/ is campaigning specifically for this line.
There’s an interesting article here
http://www.disused-stations.org.uk/features/colne_and_skipton_line/index.shtml and some good videos here
https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=pGG9dL1rt5M and here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1vfhD9cy0Y .
The route may not last forever, but it’s worth exploring while you can!

I thought I’d try out this former railway route, hoping that it would be a good wet weather alternative to EarSki One. It follows the former Colne-Skipton rail link. Campaign for Better Transport has this as a priority one candidate for re-opening:
https://bettertransport.org.uk/campaigns/reopen-rail-lines/ and
https://www.selrap.org.uk/ is campaigning specifically for this line.
There’s an interesting article here
http://www.disused-stations.org.uk/features/colne_and_skipton_line/index.shtml and some good videos here
https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=pGG9dL1rt5M and here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1vfhD9cy0Y .
The route may not last forever, but it’s worth exploring while you can!

Status

This route has been reviewed by 1 person.

There are no issues flagged.

Photos for Earski two

Photos of this route will appear when they are added to a review. You can review this route here.


Information

Not verified

Route status - Live

Reviews - 1

Average rating -

Is this route good enough? -  Yes (1)

There are currently no problems reported with this route.

Downloads - 1

Surveys

What is this route like?

Surveys are submitted by fellow users of this website and show what you might expect from this Slow Ways route. Scroll down the page to read more detailed surveys.

Grade 4X based on 1 surveys Sign up or log in to survey this route.
Description Note
Grade 4: Route includes very rough surfaces including deep ruts, steep loose gravel, unmade paths and deep muddy sections. Wheelchairs may experience traction/wheel spin issues.
Access grade X: At least one stile, flight of steps or other obstacle that is highly likely to block access for wheelchair and scooter users.
Grading is based on average scores by surveyors. This slow way has 1 surveys.
Full grading description

Only people who have completed our training can become Slow Ways surveyors and submit a survey. We do not vet contributors, so we cannot guarantee the quality or completeness of the surveys they complete. If you are dependent on the information being correct we recommend reading and comparing surveys before setting off.

Survey Photos

Facilities

Facilities in the middle third of this route.

Not present at time of survey Public toilet (1)
Not present at time of survey Wheelchair accessible toilet (1)
Not present at time of survey Supermarket (1)
Present at time of survey Restaurant (1)
Maybe present Vegan restaurant (1)
Maybe present Accommodation (1)
Maybe present Accommodation < £50 (1)
Not present at time of survey Campsite (1)
Not present at time of survey Bothy (1)
Not present at time of survey Free wifi (1)
Not present at time of survey Public phone (1)
Not present at time of survey Mobile phone coverage (1)
Not present at time of survey Train station (1)
Not present at time of survey Bench (1)
Not present at time of survey Picnic table (1)
Present at time of survey Bus stop (1)
Not present at time of survey Ferry (1)

Challenges

Potential challenges reported on this route. Some challenges are seasonal.

Maybe present Scrambling (1)
Maybe present Wading (1)
Not present at time of survey Swimming (1)
Not present at time of survey Climbing (1)
Not present at time of survey Stepping stones (1)
Maybe present Very slippery (1)
Present at time of survey Very muddy (1)
Maybe present Very icy (1)
Present at time of survey Likely to flood (1)
Maybe present Long grass sections (1)
Not present at time of survey Crops encroaching on path (1)
Not present at time of survey Diverted path (1)

Obstacles

Obstacles on this route.

Present at time of survey Stiles (1)
Present at time of survey Step and kerbs (1)
Not present at time of survey Possible to avoid steps, if applicable (1)
Present at time of survey Flights of steps (1)
Present at time of survey Gates (1)
Present at time of survey Kissing gates (1)
Not present at time of survey Locked gates (1)
Not present at time of survey Disables access gates (1)
Present at time of survey Cycle barriers (1)
Not present at time of survey Ladders (1)
Maybe present Cattle grids (1)
Not present at time of survey Fords (1)
Not present at time of survey Narrow bridges (1)
Not present at time of survey Ferry required (1)
Present at time of survey Acceptable road walking (1)
Not present at time of survey Unacceptable road walking (1)
Not present at time of survey Dangerous road crossings (1)
Present at time of survey Walking on paths beside roads (1)
Present at time of survey Walking on verges beside roads (1)
Not present at time of survey Railway crossings (1)
Not present at time of survey River crossings (1)
Present at time of survey Cattle possible (1)
Present at time of survey Horses possible (1)
Not present at time of survey Tidal area (1)
Not present at time of survey Potential falls (1)
Present at time of survey Exposed to elements (1)
Not present at time of survey Remote area (1)
Not present at time of survey Mountainous area (1)
Not present at time of survey Military training area (1)
Present at time of survey No visible path (1)
Maybe present Seasonal nesting birds (1)
Present at time of survey Other hazards (1)

Accessibility

Is this route step and stile free?

Not present at time of survey Free of stiles (1)
Not present at time of survey Free of single steps/kerbs (1)
Not present at time of survey Free of flights of steps (1)
Not present at time of survey Free of other obstacles (1)

Measurements

Surveyors were asked to measure the narrowest and steepest parts of paths.

The narrowest part of the path is 40.0cm (1)

The steepest uphill gradient walking East 38.0% (1)

The steepest uphill gradient walking West 29.0% (1)

The steepest camber gradient across the path 10.0% (1)

How clear is the waymarking on the route: Clear (1)

Successfully completed

We asked route surveyors "Have you successfully completed this route with any of the following? If so, would you recommend it to someone with the same requirements?". Here is how they replied.

Small Pug-sized dog (0)
Small Labrador-sized dog (0)
Large St. Bernard-sized dog (0)
Standard pram (0)
Off-road rugged pram (0)
Standard wheelchair (0)
Off-road rugged wheelchair (0)
Standard mobility scooter (0)
Off-road rugged mobility scooter (0)

Recommended by an expert

We asked route surveyors "Are you a trained access professional, officer or expert? If so, is this route suitable for someone travelling with any of the following?" Here is how they replied.

Small Pug-sized dog (0)
Small Labrador-sized dog (0)
Large St. Bernard-sized dog (0)
Standard pram (0)
Off-road rugged pram (0)
Standard wheelchair (0)
Off-road rugged wheelchair (0)
Standard mobility scooter (0)
Off-road rugged mobility scooter (0)

Terrain

We asked route surveyors to estimate how much of the route goes through different kinds of terrain.

There is no data on how much of this route is on roads

There is no data on how much of this route is lit at night

Thereis no data on amount of route paved

There is no data on muddiness

There is no data on rough ground

There is no data on long grass

Report a problem with this data

1 surveys

Information from verified surveys.

4X November 2023 by Mary Oz
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Geography information system (GIS) data

Total length

Maximum elevation

Minimum elevation

Start and end points

Earby
Grid Ref SD9071746813
Lat / Lon 53.91739° / -2.14282°
Easting / Northing 390,717E / 446,813N
What3Words wounds.scrambles.continued
Skipton
Grid Ref SD9891051470
Lat / Lon 53.95933° / -2.01810°
Easting / Northing 398,910E / 451,470N
What3Words mash.regulator.mingles

Sorry Land Cover data is not currently available for this route. Please check back later.

review


Mary Oz

22 Nov 2023 Autumn

I walked this from Earby on a dry day but after a fair bit of rain, partly because I like exploring transport heritage, and partly because I was hoping it would be drier underfoot than all the field crossings of EarSki One. It was indeed interesting as well as picturesque, however it wasn’t dry!
Some of the track, especially at the Earby end, was quite well used. Its challenges included a few short but steep paths where the elevated line crossed roads but the bridges have been removed. Also, there was a tall gated barrier fence right across the route, but the gate was not locked, and I have the impression this is its normal state.
The biggest challenge was the amount of water on some sections, particularly where the line goes through a cutting in the middle of the Elslack to Carleton section. There is a section which is fully flooded by a permanent little stream at Railway Plantation. There were worn footpaths around this, slightly up the embankment through the woods.
I discovered the reason for this as I encountered two big Land Rovers pushing their way through the floods. I had a short chat with the someone from Land Rover Experience in one of the cars, he was very friendly. They do a certain amount of maintenance here, in order to enhance the driving experience. They are very aware that people walk here sometimes, and try to keep it pleasant for walkers too.
Most of the rest of the route ran along embankments, with good views of the countryside. There was one section along a concrete road, and another section where it was necessary to cross a couple of fields, but mostly the route is extremely easy to navigate.
Unfortunately, the viaduct over the River Aire has been removed, so it was necessary to walk a bit of road to Carleton, then cross some fields to a subway under the busy A629. The final field was extremely muddy, as caused by cows.
There were some nice “living” railway views along the last section to Skipton Bus Station.
I really enjoyed this route – it was a fun challenge, but I suppose some of the challenges mean I should downgrade its star rating.
There are lots of facilities at either end of the route, and pubs at Elslack and at Carleton, but nothing in the middle section.
And another warning – any route going close to the River Aire in this flood plain area, will risk being flooded after significant rainfall. This also applies to EarSki One.


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Other Routes for Earby—Skipton See all Slow Ways

Earby—Skipton

Earski one

Distance

12km/8mi

Ascent

267 m

Descent

240 m

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