Steve P meets cattle on the Dales High Way

Report number: 985
Date of incident: 3/9/2024
Location: On the Dales High Way, arriving in Appleby, Cumbria.

No dog, lone walker

Report: “I was reaching the end of the Dales High Way, with Appleby now in view. A clearly signposted stile gave access to a field. There was a cow stood directly blocking the stile, with a large herd spanning the field behind it. The cow was clearly refusing to give up any ground. I had to walk further along and scale a tall fence to enter the field. I then waited and then plotted a course to try and avoid the herd. Suddenly, a cow from the group began charging at me without any warning. With no chance of a quick escape, I shouted and clapped loudly. Luckily it swerved and stopped, but was only a few feet from me by that point. By the time I reached the exit, I realised there were indeed young cows amongst them. Although unscathed, this was a very frightening experience and could have ended up badly wrong. This is a well used national walking trail.”

Steve P comments “Large herds with young cows should be kept off public footpaths. There should have at least been an alternative option, like there are in other places in this trail. It is do-able.”