The Dales Way up Oughtershaw Beck to Nethergill and Swarthghyll

The infant Wharfe is called Oughtershaw Beck this high up, and the Dales Way follows it north-west out of the hamlet, first as a walled farm lane and then as a concrete-strip track past Nethergill to Swarthghyll. It is almost level and easy underfoot, which is rare in this dale, with the beck below on the left and the bare side of Oughtershaw Side opposite. Nethergill is run as a conservation farm, so there are lapwing, curlew and oystercatcher on the ground either side and very free-range hens around the buildings, and the farm asks walkers to lead dogs past. Swarthghyll is the sensible turning point: beyond it the Dales Way climbs onto Cam Fell with two miles of open moor and no shelter of any kind.