Muker to Thwaite round Kisdon

Three miles and about an hour and three quarters linking the two prettiest villages in Swaledale, out on the field path under the flank of Kisdon to Thwaite and back on a stretch of the Pennine Way with the dale opening out below; short, but with one steady pull and a stone-flagged path that is greasy when wet. Start from the pay-and-display car park behind the Farmers Arms in Muker, the only parking in the village, and note the lane in is single track with few passing places. Straw Beck gives a drink at both ends but sheep graze every field and the meadows are cut for hay in July, so keep the dog on the lead and on the flags; the reason to think hard before bringing a big dog is the stiles, because this route threads through a dozen of the narrowest stone squeeze stiles in Yorkshire and a Labrador or a bull breed will get wedged in them.