THIS moderate walk visits several Craven beauty spots - Linton Falls, Grass Wood and the picturesque village of Grassington.

THIS walk offers something for everyone - stunning scenery, industrial heritage and a nature reserve.

The first point of interest is Linton Falls, the largest waterfall on the River Wharfe. It cascades over limestone bedrock, a feature of the Craven Fault.

On the banks of the Wharfe is a hydroelectric power station, which was originally constructed in 1909 and generated electricity until 1948 when the arrival of the National Grid meant that local power generation was no longer financially viable.

The structure was abandoned and left open to the elements until Skipton-based construction and engineering company JN Bentley started restoring the plant to its former glory in April, 2011.

The plant - designated as a Scheduled Monument because of its importance as an exceptionally rare example of early modern industrialisation in the Yorkshire Dales - has two Archimedean screw turbines, which are capable of generating enough renewable energy to power 90 homes.

Further into the walk, the route goes through Grass Wood Nature Reserve - one of the largest areas of broadleaved woodland in the Dales.

Its importance lies mainly in its extremely rich and varied plant life.

It is located on a series of limestone terraces, with much exposed rock and, therefore, open areas. This habitat contributes greatly to a varied flora which includes characteristic plants such as lily-of-the-valley and rock-rose. Other plants found here are indicators of ancient woodland.

Resident birds include tawny owl, the chaffinch and the exotic looking green woodpecker and the wood is also the home base for a number of returning migratory birds such as ped and spotted flycatchers, willow and wood warblers.

The walk - which is reproduced courtesy of the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority - ends in Grassington, the main centre in Wharfedale, which retains its old world village charm whilst providing the facilities of a small town.

Walkers are urged to follow the Countryside Code. This includes respecting other people (leave gates as you find them and follow paths), protecting the environment (take litter home and keep dogs under control) and enjoying the outdoors (plan ahead and follow local signs).

More walks in the national park can be found at yorkshiredales.org.uk.

Step by step

1. Leave Grassington National Park Centre car park through a little gate at the bottom left-hand corner, and follow a narrow walled path down to Linton Falls. The footbridge over the Falls provides a good viewpoint both after heavy rain and also at times of low water when deep gouged holes in the riverbed can be seen. Do not cross the river but turn right and follow the riverside footpath to the road at Grassington Bridge. Be warned the path can get muddy underfoot. In spring and summer birds such as oystercatchers, dippers and kingfishers can be seen and heard along the riverbank.

2. Cross the road and continue to follow a riverside path through to Gaistrills Strid, where the river passes through a narrow limestone gorge in the rocks just a few feet wide. Keep following the riverside path for a few hundred yards until the path gradually climbs up through Low Grass Wood to a road.

3. Turn left and follow the road for 400 metres, cross the road and take a footpath through the gate.

4. The track climbs up into Grass Wood Nature Reserve, which in spring and early summer are carpeted in wild flowers. The path is rough and rocky in places.Whilst in the ancient woodland, look out for birds such as woodpeckers, tree creepers and warblers. The path climbs and meanders through the wood, passing above limestone outcrops, eventually leaving the wood at Park Stile, which is the site of an Iron Age settlement.

5. From here, cross the fields and join Cove Lane which leads you back to a narrow road.

6. Turn left and it brings you to the top of Grassington Main Street. Follow this back down into the village centre and the national park centre car park.

Fact file

Distance: 7.5km (4.5 miles)

Time: a minimum of two hours

Difficulty: moderate

Parking: Grassington National Park Centre

Other transport: bus 72 from Skipton or 74 from Ilkley

Toilets: Grassington National Park Centre

Refreshments: shops, cafés and pubs in Grassington