I have to train for a trip to the Pyrenees in August. So I drove to Thornton-in-Craven to do a circular walk. It took much longer to get there than I had thought it would so I straightaway had to cut back the length. Where I parked up there were some people using a small motorbike on a footpath so I felt a bit fed up and not at all like challenging them. Instead I drove to a car park marked on the map which was just a lay by and did half the planned walk.
I followed the Pennine Way up to Pinhaw beacon, this was a bit disappointing as all there is only a small pile of stones. It’s quite a good high point though and good views all around. Then I strayed off the PW to find Robert Wilson’s grave. He was the beacon keeper and died tragically trying to get food for his fellow beacon keepers in terrible bad weather. I found the grave, another pile of stones. Back to the PW and cut around the hill.
Crossed into a conifer plantation. The first section was very mucky but then it improved and turned into a pleasant stroll through the forest. I did get a bit fed up with being continually nagged by signs telling me to stay on the path. I did stay on it, even to the point where I could see my car was 50m away but to get to it I had to walk round an extra 250m.
It took me just as long to get back, I don’t understand why there is always a traffic jam in Keighley.
![From the forest](https://i0.wp.com/jakstrips.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/p1030728.jpg?resize=225%2C300&ssl=1)
![I can't help it with lines of trees on the skyline](https://i0.wp.com/jakstrips.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/p1030717.jpg?resize=300%2C225&ssl=1)
![The beacon](https://i0.wp.com/jakstrips.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/p1030719.jpg?resize=300%2C225&ssl=1)
![Pinhaw Beacon](https://i0.wp.com/jakstrips.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/p1030723.jpg?resize=300%2C225&ssl=1)