Inspiration in Swaledale, Yorkshire Dales
Updated: Feb 29
I spend four days walking, cycling and camping in Swaledale in the Yorkshire Dales National Park.
I camped at Usha Gap camp site just outside Muker. Mid week in May, I nearly had the site to myself.
Walk from Muker to Keld
6 mile circular walk from Muker to Keld.
I walked out along the river Swale and back via the Pennine Way.
If you have the Pathfinder Guides Yorkshire Dales walking book, it’s part of walk number 28.
I stop for a tea and cake at Rukin’S Park Lodge Campsite in Keld.
Keld resouce Centre is an interesting Countryside and Heritage Centre. It explores Keld’s history and tells the story of the village. It also has a great second hand book shop. This is where I picked up my evening reading, 'Thunder and Sunshine' and 'Moods of Joys' by Alastair Humphreys.
Cycling part of the Yorkshire Dales Cycle Way
Cycling Muker to Reeth, Redmire and Askrigg.
30 miles ride 2589ft of climbing
Having cycled the rest of the route a few weeks before I wanted to go back and cycle the rest of it.
On the way I popped into the Dales Bike Centre in Reeth. They’ve got a lovely cafe and gave me lots of ideas for routes on other days. I picked ups copy of the Harvey Yorkshire Dales for Cyclists map while I was there.
Read about the rest of the Yorkshire Dales Cycle Way in my earlier blog, Inspiration in the Yorkshire Dales: 2 days bikepacking. The blog is about the longer section that I did over 2 days. 126 miles from Hawes, Kettlewell, Malham, Ingleton to Dent.
It's always a treat to spot curlews in the Yorkshire Dales and North York Moors. It's inspired my curlew linocut print.
Cycling from Keld to Kirby Stephen and Tan Hill
31 mile cycle ride
2,751 ft climbing
This route was a recommendation by the Dales Bike Centre. The road from Muker through Keld to Kirby Stephen's is just stunning. Much of the road follows the River Swale.
I cycle back over the tops to Tan Hill and the highest pub in the UK.
This is the photo that has inspired my latest linocut print 'Swaledale'.
See how I made the print in my Swaledale linocut print in blog.
This view of Keld inspired my Keld linocut print.
And with a little artistic licence my Keld in winter linocut design.
Walk from Muker to Ivelet
8 mile circular walk
If you have the Pathfinder Guides Yorkshire Dales walking book, it’s part of walk number 28.
You can also pick up 'Every Cow'us tells a Story' leaflets locally, that give walk ideas with history of many of the cowhouses.
I hope that has inspired you to visit Swaledale.
Read about the rest of the Yorkshire Dales Cycle Way in my earlier blog, Inspiration in the Yorkshire Dales: 2 days bikepacking. The blog is about the longer section that I did over 2 days. 126 miles from Hawes, Kettlewell, Malham, Ingleton to Dent.
Michelle
Notes
Camp site: Usha Gap, between the village's of Muker and Thwaite, Swaledale
Pubs: Farmer Arms, Muker, Swaledale
Art Gallery: The Old School Muker Arts and Crafts, Swaledale
Cafe: Rukin’S Park Lodge Campsite
Information: Keld resouce Centre
Route: Some on the Yorkshire Dales Cycleway.
About the author
Michelle Hughes is a North Yorkshire landscape artist. Much of her work depicts the Yorkshire landscape and Yorkshire coast, including the Yorkshire Dales and North York Moors.
Michelle loves exploring the British countryside by bike or on foot, camera in hand, capturing ideas for her next prints. Back in her garden studio, Michelle creates simple but stylised silhouettes based on her photographs, and hand carves these shapes into lino. She hand prints with an etching press, using oil-based inks to create tonal blocks of colour.
Michelle’s original linocut prints are limited editions.
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