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WALK 3 - Mossdale and Cotterdale Starting
from the sleepy village of Appersett, this walk
visits two secluded valleys at the head of
Wensleydale. The walking is easy and the views of
the surrounding fells are
impressive. Hardraw
Force Englands highest single drop waterfall at 92
feet. The
falls are not on the route but I would reccommend a
short diversion to Hardraw at the end of the walk
the falls are reached through the Green Dragon Inn
(fee payable). Cotterdale
looking towards Great Shunner Fell. Mossdale
is Wensleydale's smallest side valley, stretching
from Appersett to the Mossdale viaduct. Appersett,
lying in a sheltered position below the slopes of
Widdale Fell, is a peaceful village with most of
its cottages facing away from the main road. The
green, enclosed between the road and Widdale Beck,
is often crowded with ducks, geese, goats and
children. Appersett is of Norse origin and the name
means 'The shieling near the apple tree' &endash; a
'shieling' was a farm or summer pasture.
The
road from the village is followed over Widdale Beck
to New Bridge, where a stile descends to the bank
of the river Ure. The path leads through pastures,
woodland and meadows to the farm road near Birk
Rigg Farm. From
here a detour to visit the most attractive
waterfall of Cotter Force is highly recommended. A
short and easy stroll along the tree-lined
Cotterdale Beck leads to the secluded waterfall,
which cascades over a series of limestone ledges on
its way to join the river Ure further
downstream. After
returning from the falls, the route leads back to
the river, and then continues to Mossdale Head. The
four-arched viaduct, crossing the ravine of
Mossdale Beck, once carried a branch line of the
Wensleydale Railway from Hawes to Garsdale Head.
This route linked to the Settle and Carlisle line.
The
branch line was almost six miles in length.
Climbing steadily from Hawes it attained a height
of over 1,000 feet at Garsdale Head. This new
section of line, passing through beautiful but
rugged countryside, required the construction of
several viaducts and a 245 yard tunnel near
Mossdale Head. The views, after emerging from the
gloomy tunnel, must have been inspiring. The
area around here is much more peaceful now with
only the cascading waterfalls of Mossdale Beck
framed by the backdrop of the viaduct arches. The
beck rises on Widdale Fell, whose summit stands at
2,203 feet and is called Great Knoutberry Hill.
At
Thwaite Bridge a steep path leads up through a wood
and over the ridge of Cotter End into Cotterdale.
During the crossing of this ridge some of the
finest views of the walk are to be seen. Lunds Fell
to the west and Great Shunner Fell to the east rise
up from this peaceful and secluded side valley.
Cotterdale,
'The valley with the huts,' is also the name taken
by the lovely hamlet at the head of the valley.
Being situated at the end of a narrow lane, it
became the subject of a rhyme when three of its
families were the Halls, Kirks and
Kings; Three
Halls, two Kirks and a King, A
survey, taken in 1603, shows that six titled or
wealthy men occupied houses in the hamlet. They
were descendants of men involved in Catholic plots
in the reign of Elizabeth I, and their ancestors
are likely to have been given the houses for refuge
during times of persecution. There is also evidence
of an Iron Age settlement in Cotterdale, a sword
dating around AD 50 was found here and is now in
the British Museum. A
survey, taken in 1603, shows that six titled or
wealthy men occupied houses in the hamlet. They
were descendants of men involved in Catholic plots
in the reign of Elizabeth I, and their ancestors
are likely to have been given the houses for refuge
during times of persecution. There is also evidence
of an Iron Age settlement in Cotterdale, a sword
dating around AD 50 was found here and is now in
the British Museum. The
route from Cotterdale traverses the lower slopes of
Great Shunner Fell, with exceptional views of
Cotterdale and Wensleydale. To the south Wether
Fell, Dodd Fell and Widdale Fell dominate the
landscape. Cotter End lies to the west and winding
its way through the valley bottom is Cotterdale
Beck. After
crossing Bluebell Hill, a section of the Pennine
Way is followed before descending through the
fields and returning to Appersett. |
