Knaresborough Round

About trip

As we set off from Forest Lane Head the first part of our walk was familiar. It took us into Spring Wood and towards Bilton Banks, a favourite part of the Nidd Gorge near Scotton Banks. This stretch of the Knaresborough Round also serves as part of the Harrogate Ringway so we had walked this part before, but the woods and gorge are lovely so it was, as always, a pleasurable passage through the woodland and over the river via a footbridge at Scotton Banks. For me the rest of the day was new adventure. Dave had done sections before but not I as we walked out of the Nidd Gorge to Gates Hill and then after carefully crossing the B6165 along a quiet road to Scotton and then onto bridleway and across fields to Lingerfield then Brearton. The walking was pleasant through quaint North Yorkshire farming land with sights like spring lambs playing and enjoying their new existence and of a kaleidoscope of colourful blossom from many sorts of trees including Blackthorn, Hawthorn, Cherry, Horse Chestnut and Hornbeam. The familiar spring smells were abounding too, new flora springing up everywhere.