From the vicinity of Old Springs on the west bank of the Swale an excellent prospect presents itself looking north along the River Swale. On the far bank the long band of grey limestone cliffs known as Arn Gill Scar is prominent all along this stretch of riverbank.

On the opposite riverbank to Arn Gill Scar is Kisdon Hill. Kisdon Wood sits above the river bank and, above it, North Gang Scar. Over the lip of Kisdon Hill from Old Gang Scar, are scores of shake holes and swallow holes, stretched in a north-south line that follows the contour of the Hill as it curves west and then north.

At Kisdon Side you can see the huge ravine that separates Buzzard Scar from Arn Gill Scar. Occupying the ravine is Swinner Gill. Both Buzzard Scar and Arn Gill Scar continue north in line with the Swinner Gill, until reaching East Grain.

West Arn Gill issues from the top of the Scar and bites deeply into the softer earth beneath as it trundles towards the River Swale.

For much of the year the West Arn Gill is dried up, but as the stones in its riverbed demonstrate, in stormy weather the downflow of the Gill is sufficient to wash sizeable stones down to the Swale.

On the opposing riverbank to that attached to Arn Gill Scar is Kisdon Side, a steeply inclining north east face of Kisdon Hill. Directly opposite to Kisdon Side are Swinner Gill, Buzzard Scar and Arn Gill Scar.

From the entrance to the Swinner Ghyll, Arn Gill Scar becomes increasingly impressive and dauntingly dangerous for those on the path just above the Scar. There are three paths, at different heights. The upper path is the least dangerous.

From Bracken Hill a stunning Swaledale valleyscape opens out towards Muker. Arn Gill Scar is to the east (left) and Kisdon Hill to the West. Muker Common, in the background, turns the Swale east again. The visible flat plain is where the Hartlakes settlement once was.

As walkers who have trodden this section of the Arn Gill path (the first one up, mostly turfed) we speak from experience. The path is narrow, and the drop giddily dangerous. Safety overcame our sense of adventure and we returned the way we began after only 100 yards. All three paths are quite conspicuous in the image.

The lower of the three paths on Arn Gill Scar is turfed and narrow, and in wet weather, quite slippery. To stumble here would be fatal. The Coast to Coast path along Buzzard Scar (on the right) is also narrow, slippery and turfed.