THIS walk is currently my favourite Yorkshire Dales walk, and that's because it has a bit of everything - apart from a sea view.

It starts off from Threshfield Quarry, which is magnificent in itself, and heads off across moorland, over and in between fells, taking in wonderful views of Kilnsey Crag.

It then drops down to attractive Conistone, before taking in the dramatic gorge of Conistone Dib - which is quite a surprising scramble.

There is then a lovely walk across moorland and fells and into Grass Wood, before dropping down to the lovely River Wharfe and its wonderful abundance of wildlife.

Step by step

1. From Skirethorns Lane, head up and through Threshfield Quarry. It is a brisk, slightly uphill climb, passing waterfall on your right and at three-finger post, take the right one signed to quarry viewpoint. Stay on path, with quarry on your left, pausing for a while at the viewpoint, before returning to path, as it winds around head of quarry and to an information board and gate. Exit the quarry, and follow the path off to the left, keeping closely to the wall, which climbs sharply upwards, and then down, with limestone pavement on your right.

2. At the bottom of the hill, where there is a fingerpost, take the right bridlepath marked to Kilnsey. Follow the delightful path, it's not always obvious, but there are blue waymarkers and you want to head generally towards Kilnsey Crag, which you can see in the distance. At the bottom of the gradual drop, follow the path as it joins a track, at the end of the short track, turn right along another track. Continue along here for a short distance, as it winds its way around and take the signed footpath off to Kilnsey. This path continues dropping down, through fields and alongside a beck on the left, to exit at some farm buildings, continue past the farm and out onto the road. Turn left here and then almost immediately right over the bridge into Conistone (Kilnsey Crag is behind you). Continue along the quiet road, passing Kilnsey Trekking Centre on the left and into the centre of the village.

3. Ahead and to the left of the village fingerpost, take the rough uphill track, passing the memorial Walter Hebden bench on the right. Through a gate and follow path marked Conistone Dib. It's quite a tight scramble uphill before opening up. At three-finger post, take the right footpath to Grassington, and then join Dalesway footpath, to Grassington, passing a limestone kiln on right. Continue along well-defined paths, marked to Grassington.

4. Bear off to right - leaving path heading off to left - and over wall stile marked to Grassington, up and over moorland and head for wooden five-bar gate. Follow the well-trodden path.

5. In Grass Wood at the four-finger post, take right marked Grass Wood Lane. The path winds around the wood, and just before it meets the road, take the path off to the left, which runs parallel to the road, it climbs steadily uphill before dropping back down to the road. Turn right onto the road for a short distance and take the footpath down to the River Wharfe. Continue along the path, as it continues along the side of the river and into the outskirts of Grassington.

6. Climb up to the road, and turn right, over the bridge and continue along the road, passing Upper Wharfedale School, Threshfield, on the right. At the road junction, turn right and then left, back into Skirethorns Lane.

Fact file

Location: Yorkshire Dales National Park

Start and finish: Skirethorns Lane, Threshfield

Parking: At the entrance to Threshfield Quarry

Distance: About 12 miles, allow four to five hours

Level of difficulty: Moderate, with some quite serious scrambling

Terrain: A real assortment, lanes, grassy tracks, moorland, quiet roads, some scrambling

Livestock: Plenty of sheep and cattle about – keep dogs under control and preferably on leads

Refreshments: In Grassington and Threshfield

OS Map: Explorer OL 2