Bain drain

A STRONG wet Wensleydale westerly drove me down the ex-railway line from Bainbridge to Askrigg. At Askrigg, a sign read 'Stepping Stones to Worton impassable when river is high'.

The River Ure was swollen to its bank tops and you could only tell where the stones were by two standing waves. Luckily there is another route, by the river, with no tributaries to cross.

At Worton a plaque reads 'In gratitude to Mrs Margaret A King who gave this bus shelter to the people of Worton'. I am sure the Victoria Arms would have had my bedraggled self as it's on 'The Inn Way' but I really couldn't face peeling off the muddy dripping layers.

Instead I soaked my insides with tepid tea, added my gratitude to Mrs King, and pondered the return higher ground headwind with little enthusiasm.

Then a trundle up to the foot of Worton Scar where an extra lively side stream sprayed down the limestone and jetted through a stone wall like a power shower. Water, water everywhere.

However, quite against expectation it was lovely and sheltered for the kilometre along the top of the scar. OS maps show the path as south of a shoulder-high drystone wall, now it's north and just under the sycamores and beech.

So you walk over the roots with the wall a yard or two to your left, and a couple of yards to the right a steep drop of moss-cushioned rock face, and you see through the bare trees Wensleydale and the River Ure, and when you glimpse over the wall the other way there's unadorned upland.

The scar and trees end at a very good vantage point, overlooking the impressive terraced Roman fort site which itself overlooks the roofs of Bainbridge and commands the valley and the River Ure.

The descent is pleasant, finishing at the cascades of the River Bain in Bainbridge

DIRECTIONS

When in doubt look at the map. Check your position at each point. Keep straight on unless otherwise directed.

1. Leave Bainbridge on Askrigg road, Rose and Crown, road bridge then squeezer on right, 11 o'clock across field, footbridge, cross track, gate to path beside disused railway line (2 stiles and squeezer).

2. Stile on left between houses, 50 yards, right to road (pavement).

3. Track on right then path (signed Worton Bridge, beside Banks Agricultural Merchants) to River Ure (4 squeezers).

4. About 25 yards before river, left to path which drifts about 100 yards away from the river, skirting trees and pond, gate to riverside path (2 squeezers).

5. Right to road, right to main road, bus shelter, 50 yards, squeezer on left and diagonally uphill (just avoiding corner of field beside scar). Squeezer into wood and 1 o'clock on path up Worton Scar.

6. Right at top of scar and ignore all stiles/squeezers either side (stile and squeezer).

7. Squeezer on right in field corner, path down and across field, squeezer, squeezer, cross lane, left to main road into Bainbridge.

FACT FILE

Distance: Four miles.

Time: Two hours.

Start: Bainbridge. Right of way: The complete route is along public rights of way.

Date walked: Sunday, February 27, 2000.

Road Route: Bainbridge is west of Leyburn on the A684.

Car Parking: Roadside.

Lavatories: Bainbridge village green.

Refreshments: Bainbridge and Worton have an inn, Askrigg more than one.

Tourist & Public Transport Information: Leyburn TIC 01969 623069

Map: Based on OS Outdoor Leisure 30, Yorkshire Dales Northern and central areas.

Terrain: Valley bottom then a little climb up to a scar.

Footwear: Walking boots.

Points of interest: Upper Wensleydale, River Ure and fort site.

Difficulty: Moderate.

Dogs: Suitable for dogs but keep on leads or under close control.

Weather Forecast: Evening Press and recorded forecast 0891 500 418

Please observe the Country Code and park sensibly. Every effort is made to provide accurate information, but walkers set out at their own risk.

PICTURE:Splashing stream on Worton Scar

Click here to view a map of the walk