Thorpe and Elbolton Hill from Burnsall

Five miles and about two and three quarter hours over the reef knolls behind Burnsall, taking the walled Kail Lane up to the hidden hamlet of Thorpe and then the short steep grass climb onto Elbolton for one of the best low-level views in Wharfedale; the fields hold water badly after rain. Start at Burnsall bridge, where the riverside car park is pay-and-display and the 74 bus from Skipton and Grassington stops on the green. Every field on this route is grazed and Elbolton is open sheep pasture so the lead stays on, the Wharfe below the bridge gives a safe shallow drink and swim at the start and finish with nothing to drink on the hill, and the wall crossings between Burnsall and Thorpe are traditional Wharfedale squeeze stiles - narrow gaps between upright slabs that a Labrador cannot pass without being lifted.