DALBY Forest is known as the Great Yorkshire Forest, and rightly so. The emphasis is on recreation providing a children's playground, walking routes, cycle routes, forest exhibition and shop, light refreshments, floor games, barbecue facilities, picnic areas, a lake and lots of wildlife.

I've obviously missed a few, no doubt you will tell me about them when you have visited the forest! Dalby Forest is now partially open for motorists, walkers and cyclists; please ask at the visitor centre at Low Dalby if you have any doubt about where you may walk.

This month we will visit the picnic area at Swair Dale and take a leisurely walk along the dale to visit the site of a long-lost craft, rabbit harvesting! Approaching the site from Dixon's Hollow, you will learn how the 'warreners' carried out their gruesome business. There is an excellent information board at the site giving details on the history of harvesting rabbits which were in demand for their skins for use in the hat-making industry.

The return route is through an avenue of trees which eventually opens out across Newclose Rigg which has stimulating views into Swair Dale before a devilish descent down the end of the rigg to return to the picnic area.

Part of the route is used by cyclists, please keep a sharp eye out for them. The walk down the end of the rigg is rough and very steep, please take the utmost care if wet.

The Facts

Distance - 4 miles (6.4km)

Time - 2 hours

Start/Parking - Swair Dale picnic area, grid ref.860894. Drive from Low Dalby along the Forest Drive towards Bickely and in about one mile you arrive at Swair Dale, the entrance is well signed.

Map - OS Outdoor Leidure 27

Refreshments - Low Dalby

Public Toilets - Low Dalby

Guide book - Walking in Dalby the Great Yorkshire Forest and other forests by J Brian Beadle has similar walks.

Your Route

Starting from the Swair Dale picnic area walk along the forest road leading into the forest past the barrier. It is a gentle slope upwards for about one mile until you meet another forest road. Go left here then in a few yards turn right, still climbing. The road levels out soon with open views to the left. Ignore all other roads, especially the first right turn, keeping straight ahead at all times until in just over half a mile the road sweeps to the right.

Leave it here to go straight ahead into the forest on a grassy track. Soon the track falls steeply to meet a wide forest road.

Turn left here to go downhill where you will soon arrive at the rabbit warren on the right; here you can learn all about harvesting of rabbits at the information board.

After visiting the warren continue downhill for about 170 paces. A grassy track goes both left and right here, don't miss them! Take the one on the left climbing up through the trees. Soon, at a junction of tracks turn right downhill into an avenue of trees. Continue along as the track sweeps round a long bend to the left then goes slightly uphill to meet a junction of tracks. Go right here then keep right again in a few yards. It is not long before you meet a wider forest road . Turn left onto the road and walk without deviation all the way along this road until it opens out into a clearing with good allround views to soon meet another forest road. Go straight across this road onto a wide grassy track.

Shortly the track goes right at the edge of Swair Dale. If you dare go near the edge you will see the dale far beneath you. Bear right now keeping parallel to Swair Dale to eventually enter the forest. Follow this track until it sweeps sharply to the right, this is a cycle track. Leave the track here to go left down a very steep hill down the end of Newclose Rigg to return to the picnic area at Swairdale. Please take care if wet.

Updated: 11:19 Thursday, July 05, 2001