Knawet two

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We walked this route from Knaresborough to Wetherby on 21st August, a warm, calm and sunny day.

After following quiet back streets the route quickly leaves Knaresborough on part of the Knaresborough Round footpath, along the River Nidd through mixed woodland. There are some barriers narrowing the path (I assume to prevent horses or motorcycles using the path) that would prevent wheelchair access. The path then branches away from the Knaresborough Round and is initially difficult to follow due to an invasion of Himalayan Balsam but then leaves the woods over open fields to Birkham Wood.

Crossing the A658 at Birkham Wood requires great care and patience – the road is busy with fast moving traffic. The well signposted path continues through the woodland and behind Plompton Hall before crossing open fields with sheep grazing and joining the access road to Plompton Hall, which runs through Plompton Square and back over grassland to the A661. This again needs great care, particularly as the traffic approaching from the L comes over a hill so can only be seen when close to the crossing point.

The path then runs through some beautiful countryside with gritstone rocks bursting through the grassland and extensive views to the West. There are some confusing signs through this section, warning of a change in the route of the path. The actual change is minor and is at SE 361 518, 500m after the change of route warning sign. The path simply continues along the edge of the field before turning 90 degrees to re-join the original path at Crimple Beck. This path takes you to Spofforth, where the A661 is crossed again, and then continues on along Crimple Beck.

This section of path becomes increasingly difficult due to fallen trees (one mature fallen tree more than 1m in diameter needs to be climbed over) and great overgrowth of brambles, nettles etc. After crossing the footbridge to the other side of the beck the path is even more overgrown and eventually it became impossible to continue along the path and at SE374 504 rather than turning back we went through the fence, over the adjacent field and joined Harland Way (the cycleway along the old railway line) at this point.

Harland Way provides easy level walking almost into the centre of Wetherby.

This should be a 5 star route except for the blockage of the path after Spofforth due to low footfall and lack of maintenance. Winter and Spring would be a better time to walk this route.

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