THIS is a truly wonderful walk involving some steepish climbs, but with gorgeous rewarding views from the top of Flasby Fell and Sharphaw.

TODAY'S walk follows a popular route, but parts of it can get extremely boggy at the first sign of wet weather, so sturdy footwear is a must, and perhaps even long boots.

If you're taking a dog - and my English Pointer just loves this walk - remember to be wary of livestock at all times and of nesting birds. The most well behaved of dogs can take off after a running sheep, so keep them on leads and don't upset the farmers, or game keepers. Always close the gates after you.

I've started from the hamlet of Flasby, but parking is extremely limited. It is perhaps more advisable to set off from Gargrave or Skipton.

Step by step

1. From Flasby, take the footpath signed Grassington Road, 2.5 miles. A fairly steep climb along a footpath with woodland on either side. Pass through a double metal gate and continue up along the farm track to another metal gate. Cross over the field, keeping the wall to your left and to another gate.

2. Go through the gate and you will be faced with a small ravine, with a stream at the bottom. This ravine can be difficult to cross at the first sign of any rain, and does get very boggy. Get across it as best you can and climb up the other side, a walking stick to help you on your way might be useful here, or an obliging, strong dog!

3 The footpath continues along the drystone wall on the right for a way before opening up into Flasby Fell. Here it can get very boggy indeed. Particularly muddy patches are often hidden by vegetation, so be very wary, and perhaps grab hold of a stick to judge the safeness of the route.

4 Make a steady climb along the path, which is likely to be very muddy, with many diversions off it, and climb to the point where you have a rocky escarpment on your left. You are looking out for a gate in the wall to the right - opposite the rocks.

5 Passing through the gate, and the path is much easier to see now. Follow it up to the pinnacle at Sharphaw. There are several different winding routes, but they all lead to the same high point.

6 From the top of Sharphaw, you will have wonderful, 360 degree views, with Skipton to your left, and Gargrave to the front. Turn right, and follow the well trodden path down to a wooden gate. Pass through the gate and downwards, through a lovely tunnel of rhododendrons - well worth a visit when they're in flower.

7 Continue along the path, passing a memorial bench to former teacher and Craven district councillor, Helen Handley, who died in 2007. This a lovely spot, once again with wonderful views, and if you're lucky, you'll see a buzzard.

8 The path drops down to a gate, which crosses a field. Through another gate and onto a farm track. Pass some derelict farm buildings on the right, and onto a working farm. Continue along the tarmac road, with Flasby Hall on the left, and continue back to your starting point in Flasby.