Day 5 (Ponden to Gargrave)

Distance: 18 miles
Cumulative: 73.5
Gates: 52
Stiles: 44

The Old Silent Inn couldn't provide breakfast until 9am but offered us a packed lunch in lieu if we wanted to set off early. With even higher temperatures forecast we decided to start walking at 8am, fortified by a couple of biscuits. What a fortunate decision! We set off in cool, low cloud and walked round Ponden Reservoir and up the first climb of the day to Icornshaw Moor in comfort before stopping on the descent for 'breakfast'. While we ate the sun came out as our companion for the rest of the day.

Setting off from the top of Ickornshaw Moor

Going down to Cowling we passed a curious collection of private 'bothies', apparently accessible only on foot, all of which had stoves - hard work getting in the fuel!
From Cowling the second big climb of the day went over Cowling Hill and down a steep-sided valley into picturesque Lothersdale. Back in Craven! Sadly, it seemed that the standard of waymarking dropped as we came into Craven and we twice missed our turning because of overgrown or non-existant waymarks.

Lothersdale

The sight of the Hare and Hounds was even more welcome, with a chance for drinks, a light lunch (too hot to eat much) and, above all, refilling our water carriers. Despite carrying some 2.5 litres each we had used most of it on the way over and would not make it to Gargrave without a refill. The Landlord said that he had been filling water carriers all week!
The third big climb of the day over Elslack Moor gave us views into North Craven and more gentle farmland - but on the tops it was still hot!

Down into Thornton-in-Craven and snacks on a stone seat under a large tree. The fourth and last section started with a climb over Langber Hill to the Leeds and Liverpool Canal.

No time to stop at the Cross Keys! It was up and over Scaleber Hill before dropping down into Gargrave at 5.40pm and welcome drinks in the Old Swan.