The day of our habitation check we travelled across the moors to Bingley. Danny (the guy doing the check had moved into an industrial estate near the railway station. We did not know how long the check would take, but I planned a walk that could be cut short, or extended as required.
I planned to cross the river and climb up to a local landmark - the Druid's Altar, then loop back around to the river. From here if time allowed we could follow the canal up past 3 lock rise and 5 lock rise, before cutting back to the industrial park.
leaving the industrial park and following the B6265 past a school and down to the only bridge across the river Aire near here.
On the far side the path went diagonally up the slope behind flats overlooking the river.
The path came out onto a lane that continued climbing past some pastures.
Where the lane levelled out on the top of the ridge we continued to the end of Altar lane. Then onto a footpath leading into the trees.
Up to the rocky outcrop that was the site of the Altar, then continuing along the outcrop back to a second lane.
Following the lane back tot he end of Altar lane, where we crossed over down the side of the golf course to some dilapidated ruins. The view across the town of Bingley to the other side.
Next we dropped down Blind Lane, and into a wood sponsored by cancer research.
Just after the new plantation we turned into the woods, passing the first flush of Bluebells.
This section had been replanted with birch and beech.
Nearly back at the initial lane we paused to look over Bingley, before dropping down a steep slope (with steps).
Into Beech woods at teh bottom, before crossing the stone wall back onto the lane.
Finally down the lane and the subsequent footpath tot he bridge over the river.
No phone call yet, so we continued over the B6265 and a longer bridge over the rail line and the A650 to reach the Liverpool and Leeds canal.
We arrived at the 3 lock rise, and turned up the tow path towards the larger rise.
Along the canal tot eh 5 lock rise, and climbed up the side.
A pause at the top for a coffee and the phone call that the van was ready.
Along the canal a little further into Crossflats, before we could drop down to the A650 and hence back to the industrial park.
