Tracks and Trails

Walking in Yorkshire

Favourite Yorkshire Dales Walks- Swaledale

Here are three of the best walks in Swaledale

1.Maiden Castle and Harkerside

Start and Finish: Reeth centre
Approximate time for the walk: 5 hours
Distance: 8 miles
Landscape: Lead mine spoil heaps, hushes and bell pits, yellow wagtail and redstart
Map: Outdoor Leisure Map 30, Yorkshire Dales, Northern and Central areas
Description of the walk:

A. The walk starts from centre of Reeth. Walk past the Black Bull and Half moon and number of houses and buildings to reach Quaker Lane. Turn right down Quaker Lane to its end and then left immediately heading towards the riverside to meet a swing bridge.
B. Cross over the swing bridge and turn right, upstream with the River Swale which is first is open and then passes into area of wooded area. You reach some stepping stones and stile and continue up by a wall to a road. At the road, turn left for a third of a mile. When you reach the brow of the hill, turn right and head for Hawthorn tree and Maiden Castle hill-fort. Continue to Maiden Castle hill-fort.
C. From the top of the hill fort, head in a south west direction away from that for half mile to meet a reddish-brown tip heap of Harker lead mine and a broad track.
D. Continue along this broad bridleway track to meet a shooting box and onto to the summit of Harker’s Top.
E. Continue straight-along along the summit of the Harker’s Top. Continue straight-ahead when you meet another track, to reach a Grinton beck by a gate.
F. Go through the gate and turn left down a path which leads and descends to Grinto village. When you reach Grinton village, cross a stone bridge over the beck to reach the road. Follow the road through the village of village.
G. After 330 yards, turn right along a walled path which brings back to the River Swale. Follow this path to the swing bridge you encountered on outward route. Go over the swing-bridge and retrace your step back to Reeth.

2.Gunnerside Gill
Start and Finish: Gunnerside
Approximate time for the walk: 4 hours
Distance: 7 miles
Landscape: Former lead mining area with minerals galena, spharlerite, fluorite, barite with St Johns wort, early purple and spotted orchid, wild strawberry, coltsfoot and large bittercress and meadowsweet.
Map: Outdoor Leisure Map 30, Yorkshire Dales, Northern and Central areas
Description of the walk:

A. The walk starts from the Kings Head in Gunnerside. From the Kings Head, go along the side of the beck, past the old school. Turn right and exit into a glassy plain which are remains of Bunton Hush and reach fingerpost once again.
B. Go straight up now the gully called Bunton Hush. The path is steep at this point. Turn off and aim for a sheep fold and two iron gateposts. From here you will find a good track and follow this track on the slopes over Melbecks Moor. This path comes to another path which comes from Gunnerside Gill. Turn right and down the slope in an straight direction farmsteads of Winterings.
C. Continue past the old farms of winterings, passing a settlement to reach a gate and tarred road on the right. Take this road which is steep down to Gunnerside village itself.

3.Kisdon
Start and Finish: Muker
Approximate time for the walk: 4 hours
Distance: 7 and a half miles.
Landscape: Yoredale limestones, sandstones and shales in Swinner Gill. Glacial diversion of the River Swale, wood craneswil
Map: Outdoor Leisure Map 30, Yorkshire Dales, Northern and Central areas
Description of the walk:

A. Start in the centre of Muker. Go through the village to a paved path which leads through the meadow to the river edge. Turn right at this point, cross the footbridge and immediately turn left to go up the right-hand side of the River Swale.
B. Continue along this path for one and a half miles, then turn right off the main path. This turn point is near a fence corner, where a small streamlet crosses the track and a narrow path emerge. Go up this narrow path and climb up it until you go onto the right of Swinner Gill. This leads to a crossing place near top of the ravine, with the junction with Grain Gill. Cross over and continue to follow the path
C. Take the upper path and continue along it to reach Crackpot Hall.
D. Carry on above the wooded gorge to a tributary waterfall. Go down the footbridge over the Swale, to join a path from the left path.
E. Continue straight ahead on to reach the village of Keld.
F. Leave Keld by the road, by going left at all junctions. Turn next left from the road along a cart track over the little stream.
G. Follow this broad track all the way back to Muker. This stay with this path as it heads towards the village of Muker, with excellent views of Swaledale. The path ends at road and follow the road back in the centre of Kisdon.

Walking in Yorkshire: An Introduction | Walking in Yorkshire | The Yorkshire Dales | North Dales | Favourite Yorkshire Dales Walks- Wensleydale | Favourite Yorkshire Dales Walks- Swaledale | South Dales | Favourite Yorkshire Dales Walks- Wharfedale | East Dales | Heriot Country | Favourite Yorkshire Dales Walks- Nidderdale | West Dales | Favourite Yorkshire Dales Walks- Dentdale and the Howgills | Yorkshire Coastline | West and East Yorkshire | Favourite Walks in the Yorkshire Pennines | More favourite walks in the Yorkshire Pennines | North Yorkshire Moors | Favourite Walks in the North Yorkshire Moors | More favourite walks in the North Yorkshire Moors | Hope Cove Walk

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