Jonathan Smith runs Where2walk, a walking company in the Yorkshire Dales.

Jonathan has written his own book, the Dales 30 which details the highest mountains in the Dales.

He also runs one-day navigation courses for beginners and intermediates. Join his Learn a Skill, Climb a Hill weekends in the Dales.

To find out more details on any of the above visit his website, where2walk.co.uk

THE view over the limestone pavements to Crummock Dale near Horton is one of the best in the Yorkshire Dales. This short and easy walk is a must for anyone wanting to understand what makes this area so impressive.

Between Horton and Selside the Pennine Bridleway crosses the main road to Ribblehead. On the east side there is some parking for five or six cars (leave the gate free). Cross the road and take to the track heading west. The Pennine Bridleway is the parallel footpath to the more famous Pennine Way but more suitable for those with horse, mountain bikes and wheelchairs. Debbie North in her all terrain hopper joined us on the walk. The path climbs and almost immediately take the right fork past Borrins Farm.

Having passed through three gates the bridlepath turns south and gradually climbs in to some open hillside. The views of Pen y Ghent to the east are excellent. For 600 metres the track crosses open access land until it meets the main Ingleborough to Horton footpath at a prominent finger signpost. The footpath is much beloved by those taking on the 3 Peaks challenge, the signpost indicating there is only two miles to completing the day. The footpath is a little rough but if you turn right at the cross roads it is worth the short detour to look for the pothole of Nick Pot not that easy to spot. Worth the hunt though.

Back to the cross roads, we carried on south for 200 metres to a gate and then turned east to follow the fence. It is at this point that the views become extraordinary. To gain the views either pass through the gate and a small gate to your left or simply look over the fence. Below lies the best and most extensive area of limestone pavement in the country. The view stretches over 300 metres of limestone to Moughton Scar and in to Crummock Dale, a delightful area of walking in its own right. Keep walking east along the fence line, there is no path here but it is access land and perfectly acceptable to walk through. The small exposed areas of limestone are fun to pick your way through as are the views which continue to impress. Not only is the limestone rock impressive but they create a habitat of wild flowers, insects, butterflies and juniper trees.

After 500 metres the fence meets a wall, turn left for a 100 metres till you meet the main Horton path. From here turn left, uphill, and follow the path through Sulber Nick. The Nick is a short stretch of path with a limestone scar on each side, only a few metres high. Here the walking is awkward and in the west quite slippy. If you are someone who like to find trig points, the Sulber one lies just to the north with views over all 3 Peaks. You may well see some highland looking cows in the access land, they are a familiar site here and nothing to worry about. When you reach the cross roads turn right and return to the road via your outbound route.

Fact File:

Distance: Roughly four miles. Height to Climb: 100m (330 feet)

Start: SE 788746. There is limited parking just south of Selside.

Difficulty: Easy/Medium: This is really a short, straightforward walk, only medium when it is wet and the limestone becomes slippy.

Refreshments: There are two pubs in Horton in Ribblesdale

Be Prepared:

The route description and sketch map only provide a guide to the walk. You must take out and be able to read a map (O/S Explorer OL2).

and in cloudy/misty conditions a compass (essential on this walk). You must also wear the correct clothing and footwear for the outdoors.