Moss Drive

Rising above the limestone plateaus of the Southern Dales, this high moorland spot offers a quiet alternative to the busier Malham landmarks. Characterised by rough grass and peat hags, the 549-metre summit rewards walkers with clear views across to the distinctive profile of Pen-y-ghent and the massive bulk of Great Whernside.

• •The name is a literal description of the terrain: 'moss' is a common Northern English term for a peat bog or moorland mire, while 'drive' refers to the historic trackway that cuts through the area.
• •This high ground sits near the historic 'Monks Road', a medieval highway that facilitated the wool trade of the Yorkshire Dales by connecting the vast estates of Fountains and Sawley Abbeys.
• •From this elevation, the jagged silhouette of the Forest of Bowland is often visible to the west on clear days, sitting well beyond the closer, darker mass of Fountains Fell.
• •Anyone arriving here expecting a paved road suitable for a Sunday motor will be disappointed; the 'drive' in question is strictly for boots, hooves, and the occasional mountain bike.