Bingley Loop

The day was fair and by the time it got to 10am and I had met Monica for this walk the sky had turned from a dull grey to blue.  Although it was cold – the temperature wasn’t expected to get much above freezing today and there was a wind with it too.  Monica had done this walk last year and she had a leaflet with the route.  This walk is an addition to the Welcome way.  We were starting from East Morton and I was really looking forward to this. We made our way to the canal walking past the Five Rise Locks and over the flyover to the Brown Cow – walking alongside the River Aire to Myrtle Park. 

We crossed over the Beckfoot Packhorse bridge facing Beckfoot Farm which has lanterns of the Knights of St John on its corner. 

From here we carried on towards the golf course eventually crossing the busy Bradford road to head off towards Dowley Gap and Saltaire. 

We then entered Hirst wood.  There were lots of Robins bobbing around in here and before climbing up through the woods we had flask stop.  Apparently Hirst wood is the sight of an ancient settlement.  We didn’t see any signs of this but there must have been some.  From here we headed up through Trench wood through Shipley Glen.  Here on the top we stopped for lunch.  Monica said there was a bit of a cheeky wind, I thought it was freezing.  From here we headed off towards Loadpit beck and Eldwick. 

Here we turned off at the Acorn inn following paths and tracks to Micklethwaite Green. Finally dropping back down to East Morton.  On the way back we encountered a field with 8 horses in it and a collie dog racing round and round the field – the horses must have been used to the dog they didn’t bat an eyelid.  I had to keep telling myself to stay calm, with Monica behind me saying just give off calm vibes don’t let them know you’re scared. 

Easier said than done.  Anyway it had been a good walk – just about 9 miles and it took us 4 hours 20 mins, we hadn’t hurried and we’d stopped twice for drinks and something to eat. Really good walk.