When I’m in the Yorkshire Dales it only takes me 25 minutes to drive over Cross Top and into Muker. Of all the dales I think that Swaledale is my favourite as it is more intimate than the other dales and it is full of character and glorious vistas. The steep sides soon provide fabulous views down and across the valley whilst the Swale itself is fast flowing and provides an urgency not apparent elsewhere in the valley.
In the summer there is a carpet of flowers and in winter there is often snow to be seen on the fell tops. The walk along the river from Muker to Keld is the most well known walk but it isn’t my favourite. I love to get up onto one of the many fell tracks and look down on the valley with it’s laithes, sheep, and the River Swale cutting a trail along the valley bottom. It is also very peaceful as most people don’t venture beyond the obvious paths.
