WHEN I set off for this walk, Skipton was thick with fog; but the sun came out as I hit Kex Gill along the A59 and the views of the Washburn Valley opening up in front of me were wonderful.

I start the walk from Thruscross Reservoir, although it can just as well be started from another of Yorkshire Water’s reservoirs, Fewston, further along the A59 towards Harrogate. That said, Thruscross is certainly the quieter of the two and I’ve never been stuck for a parking place - the car park is much larger, and a way off the beaten track. The walk itself sticks largely to the River Washburn, with half of it following a section of the Six Dales Trail - a 36 mile route that starts in Otley and finishes in Middleham. The route came from the Walkers Are Welcome Otley project and was launched in June, 2010. It winds across the entire length of the Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. I plan to investigate more in the coming weeks, even though it will mean some judicious use of cars - as I can’t quite afford the time to do the entire length in a day.

1 From Thruscross Reservoir car park, take the steep steps facing the dam and then turn right, following the sign Six Dales Trail. The path is wooded on the right, and has the reservoir on the left and gradually drops down to a large open area. Keep to the lower of the two paths, marked Six Dales Trail, and follow path as it crosses a footbridge - next to a ford - and then continues along to the left of the River Washburn. Keep on the path until you reach a cricket pavilion in a field off to your left.

2 Take the stile in front of the pavilion and cross over field, over another stile, and then sharp left to gate, marked permitted path.

3 Follow the permitted path route, which is well marked and goes through a series of gates. At a metal gate, go into the field and head for the top left hand corner - its not particularly well marked here - at the gate, you will pick up signs again. Continue along the track, over a stile and drop down once again towards the Washburn. Follow track, with river now on left.

At the wooden footbridge, which you crossed earlier, you can either go over it and retrace your steps, or take the path off to the right. The path will eventually bring you back to the reservoir dam, where you can re-join the path back to the car park.