My Photographic Hikes: (7) Barnard Castle to Reeth (Yorkshire Dales)

Barnard Castle (a town in County Durham), to Stang Forest, to the County Durham/Yorkshire Dales borders, down Stang Lane to Langthwaite in Arkengarthdale (which is in Swaledale, itself in the Yorkshire Dales National Park), along part of Fremington Edge (a fell), then down to the village of Reeth.

July 1st, 2023.

Calver Hill (near Reeth), Arkengarthdale. Yorkshire Dales National Park. Photo taken on Fremington Edge.

As can be seen, there aren’t many towns, villages or even hamlets in this area. The wilder and remoter area is to the west/left (i.e., from Reeth to Kirkby Stephen). To the right/east, you reach the flatlands, on which there are some towns and villages.

Although I set off from the town of Barnard Castle (in County Durham), I didn’t take any photos there. I needed to get going straight away, as it’s a long walk to Reeth, and there’s no public transport anywhere in between. In fact I didn’t take any photos until I reached Stang Forest, which is around 6 miles from Barnard Castle.

It was fairly uneventful up to Stang Forest. This forest is impressively placed on the outer hills of the Yorkshire Dales National Park. A road goes straight through it, then up a steep hill. More or less at the very peak, there are signs that mark the border between County Durham (Teesdale) and the Yorkshire Dales. This must mean that Stang Forest and the northern part of the hill are still in County Durham.

Once on the top of the moors, I made my way down into the Yorkshire Dales. More particularly, to Arkengarthdale, which is itself in Swaledale. (So Arkengarthdale is in Swaledale, which is the Yorkshire Dales.) There are some very impressive views high up there — in all directions.

I made my way down to the village of Langthwaite, past Scar House, went up Fremington Edge, traced the edge for a couple of miles, and then came down into the village of Reeth.

Stang Forest, which is in Teesdale, County Durham.

A growing part of the Stang Forest. This is fairly near the Yorkshire Dales National Park border.

Stang Lane. The car is just about to pass the County Durham/Yorkshire Dales border. The signs can just about be seen on the brow, slightly to the right. The word “stang” has so many different definitions (or meanings) that it’s not worth citing them.

The high border between County Durham and the Yorkshire Dales. This road (Stang Lane) leads down to Arkengarthdale (a dale in the Yorkshire Dales) — though in the opposite direction of the photograph. The nearest town in the direction of the photo is Barnard Castle. Teesdale is an area within County Durham.

Sheep guarding the Yorkshire Dales/County Durham boundary. On this side of Stang Lane, it’s County Durham (Teesdale). Over the border, the lane heads down to Arkengarthdale in the Yorkshire Dales National Park.

Stang Lane — heading down to Langthwaite in Arkengarthdale.

Stang House, which is a shooting hut, in Arkengarthdale.

Stang Lane, heading down to Langthwaite, in Arkengarthdale.

Stang Lane again. The tandem bicycle (!) is climbing toward the County Durham border. I was going down — looking back at the cyclists.

A farm in Arkengarthdale, near Langthwaite.

The start of Fremington Edge. This view is from Stang Lane. I’m not sure if this rocky area is actually classed as Fremington Edge, which may begin farther on.

Near Langthwaite, in Arkengarthdale.

Scar House, in Langthwaite, Arkengarthdale.

I took this cheeky shot over a stone wall into the yard of a farm. There are two interesting names for hamlets in this area: Booze (which is made up of 11 houses) and Whaw (population: 231).

Fremington Edge. This fell characterises many of the fells in the Yorkshire Dales. They’re not as high as the mountains in the Lake District and Scotland. However, they’re often bulkier, longer, wider, and more expansive.

“Fremington Edge stretches for over three miles. [] situated to the north of the village of Reeth in Swaledale in the Yorkshire Dales National Park, England. Fremington Edge forms the south-eastern edge of Arkengarthdale.”

Gibbon Hill (in the background), and a house in Reeth.

My Flickr photography account: Paul Austin Murphy | Flickr

Camera: Sony / DSC-HX90V (compact)