Lakes and Dales Horseback Rambler

  Although Kirkby Lonsdale is in Cumbria it is also in the Yorkshire Dales National Park following a National Park extension in 2016. This ride can be a half day ride or you can make it longer by going over Barbon Fell. One of the features of the area to those with a keen eye are the Andy Goldsworthy sheepfold sculptures, which were built as part of a millennium project. When I first saw these unusual looking sheepfolds they just did not make any sense, but once you know, you know! Starting from Kirkby Lonsdale large layby parking at Devils Bridge take the path out the layby and head along the bridleway along Laitha Lane adjacent to Casterton Golf Club. Here watch out for golf balls and once on the edge of Casterton head up through the lanes and join the Roman Road called Wandale Lane. Here turn left and head towards Barbon.   Looking up Barbon Valley toward Dent  Andy Goldsworthy sheep fold sculpture  Your eventually reach a cattle grid, take the adjacent gate ...

  Starting from the main car park in Clapham, turn right and ride through the village to the tunnels. These tunnels were constructed in Victorian times by the Farrar family to provide a route underneath the Ingleborough Hall Estate connecting the village of Clapham with Thwaite Lane. This is a popular route so expect to see other people in the tunnels. I often get asked can horses do tunnels? The simple answer is yes! Taking these two tunnels in Clapham as an example.  The two tunnels are dark and quiet rocky under hoof, but as horses have great night vison it was really second nature for them going through the tunnels. Horse eyes are large, they have a large pupil, and this allows ample amount of light to enter even in dark situations. On a night lit by a partial moon or stars, horses can see just as well as people can in full daylight. On the way back I decided to lead my horse Ryan through the tunnels as its quite steep, I tripped up several times, but he just picked h...