Route Ref:  YD01

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A whole 87% of off road bliss! Quite a bit of climb but the views and downhills are worth it. Using Covill Barn as a base, we pick up this circular route at Ramsgill. Pick up the track starting near the bridge which leads up the valley to the west of the river Nidd. Some short climbs lead up to West House Farm with views across to the road climb to Middlesmoor before dropping down to cross Blayshaw Gill. Follow the lane to the road, turning right over the bridge and then left ready for the climb up to Middlesmoor. This climb is as hard as it looks getting steeper on the last bend into the village.

From the village follow the 'In Moor Lane' which climbs steadily over In Moor. As you pass through the gated wall at the highest point on the climb views down and over Scar House Reservoir start to appear. If you want to watch then stop because you need all your attention on the stony track for the steep descent to the reservoir.

Cross the dam and start the climb to Woo Gill making a sharp right turn 200 yards up the track. Keep looking back for goods views back over the reservoir. After a messy descent to Woo gill there is a short, sharp steep climb from the Gill. Somewhere here you should find the proper route heading north onto Woogilll Moor. I missed it and continued along the track to the shooting house picking the bridleway up again a further 200 yards on from the house.

The track around Dale Edge is fairly level but is made more difficult by the ruts and loose gravel. This improves about half way along and eventually opens to a wider stony track along the top of Thrope Edge. The shooting lodge makes a good place to break from the wind and admire the view over Nidderdale. The track continues from the lodge turning sharp left down to the road. Turn left at the road and then right after 100 yards onto a broken up road which turns into another muddy rutted track over Foentains Earth Moor. Turn right at both junctions above Helks Wood before making the fast rocky descent back down to Bouthwaite.

Covill Barn is just 1 k south of Bouthwaite on the east side of Gouthwaite Reservoir.

Start Covill Barn 129702 - Bouthwaite Jnc 123711 - Road Jnc Ramsgill 118711 - Road/Track 118710 - West House Farm 107722 - Blayshaw Gill 098727 - Track/Road 096733 - Road/Jnc 094734 - Middlesmoor 092741 - Scar House Reservoir track jnc 066766 - Track/Jnc 065772 - Woo Gill 078777 - Gate nr shooting house 084777 - Track Jnc 085778 - Track Jnc Dale Edge 110768 - Shooting house 107752 - Track/road 113749 - Road/track 114750 - Track/Jnc Fountains Earth Moor 135727 - Track/Jnc 134718 - Bouthwaite Jcn 123711 - Covill Barn 129702ont>

14.6 Miles, 23.50 Kms, 2081 Feet, 683 Metres, 25 Gates, 72% Off Road