THIS is a short walk between two pretty villages, through farming and limestone scenery with a lovely café half way through.

I walked this recently after the heavy rains, it was still mainly dry and it was my first sighting of the young lambs.

Park near the Game Cock in the village of Austwick, just off the A65 north of Settle.

The area around Austwick has been inhabited for 4,000 years and is popular with archaeologists but its most notable feature is not man-made but the large sandstone boulders which litter the landscape.

These boulders sit and protect the limestone underneath and were dumped about 12,000 years ago by the retreating glaciers of the last ice age.

Start the walk from the central cross and head south east for 30 metres, just past a small bridge take a left turn on to Wood lane and in to the open sheep fields.

At a meeting of tracks carry on up Wood Lane, through an open gate and on to the fellside. This is Oxenber Wood, a Site of Special Scientific Significance.

An information board gives information on the area and you are free to leave the paths and wander around the slopes.

The area hillside used to be the site of Austwick Quarry but now has been covered over with short grass and native woodland. With Spring upon us the area will soon be a field of pretty bluebells and other woodland flowers.

The official path heads north and soon north east next to the wall. The path passes through five gates or stiles, past a farm and is most noticeable for the views to the left.

The near village is Wharfe but beyond is the massive bulk of Ingleborough.

The path turns in to farm track, and crosses a small stream. Just past the stream an unsigned footpath goes through a gate back on to the hillside. It is easy to spot due to the rusted remains of an old tractor.

Climb the four fields until a stile takes you on to a major farm track. Turn right and follow the track as it passes under some fine limestone scars to your left.

Opposite the scars the track starts to drop and bend left as it heads for the hamlet of Feizor.

Feizor is a lovely spot, little more than a large Dales farm, extended by a few grey stone houses. There is a little unexpected gem in Feizor in the form of Elaine’s Tea Shop, a perfect place to stop and refresh.

From the café head over the shallow ford in the road and look for a sign to Austwick on your right.

Follow the walled lane (part of the Pennine Bridleway) for just over half a mile, passing a derelict barn on your left and crossing another ford on the track.

The lane, still walled, turns northerly past a large house on your right and soon meets the crossing of paths near the start of the walk.

Austwick is clearly visible to your right and at the crossing of the paths turn left and return to the village.

The erratics can be seen on the hillside opposite, just above the impressive Proctor’s Scar.

Fact file

Distance: Roughly 4.5 miles.

Height to Climb: 150 metres (495 feet).

Start: SD 768685. Austwick. Park near the Game Cock pub.

Difficulty: Easy/Medium: Very straightforward walking, mainly on farm tracks.

Refreshments: The Game Cock in Austwick is good but leave time for the café in Feizor.

Be Prepared: The route description and sketch map only provide a guide to the walk. You must take out and be able to read a map (O/S Explorer OL2 & OL41) and in cloudy/misty conditions a compass (essential on this walk). You must also wear the correct clothing and footwear for the outdoors. Whilst every effort is made to provide accurate information, walkers head out at their own risk. Please observe the Countryside Code and park sensibly.

Jonathan Smith runs Where2walk, a walking company in the Yorkshire Dales:

• Jonathan has written a book, the “Dales 30” based on the mountains in the Yorkshire Dales.

• Beginners and Intermediate 1 Day Navigation Courses. Courses available throughout the year, check web for dates.

• Offers a Guiding serve for those less confident in the outdoors

To find out more details on any of the above and details of the 100s of walks in the Yorkshire Dales & Moors visit his popular website, Where2walk.co.uk https://where2walk. co.uk/