The nine-mile circular walk from Garsdale Station via Grisedale, crosses the Settle-Carlisle Railway in Mallerstang and turns back along the Pennine Bridle Way. Mallerstang is the remote dale that formed the background for my book "Frozen Ground”, with its storyline of sheep rustling beside snow-covered Wild Boar Fell. Fortunately there was no snow but I was subjected to strong winds and sudden heavy showers! Nevertheless, I was able to spot plenty of curlews in Grisedale, and High Abbotside filled with the song of skylarks.  Even the boggy area at the beginning of the walk was enhanced by the bobbing fluffy heads of bog cotton - I was interested to learn that it was once used to stuff pillows and is the county flower of Greater Manchester. The route finally emerges beside the Moorcock Inn where I was revived with a very welcome pot of tea before a short walk under the viaduct back to the station. You can find the route on the Yorkshire Dales National Park’s free walking app .