Walking along the edge of moorland to the picturesque village of Healaugh and back by the banks of the River Swale to Reeth.
Map:
Outdoor Leisure Map No.30
Distance:
2.5 miles; Easy
walking along a high track with excellent views of the Swale valley.
Walking
time:
1
to 1.5 hours
Getting
There:
Catch Monday to Saturday bus service 30 from Richmond,
or Summer Sunday bus 830 from Richmond or bus 831 from Hawes (connection on bus 832 from
Ribblehead).
Alight Reeth.
The
Route:
Make
your way from the village green down to Reeth bridge on the left just past the
filling station there is a stile, pass through and turn right and follow the
path through four fields to High Fremington. Just past the cottage on the left
the road rises, to the left and right of the road at this point the remains of
earthworks known as
the Grinton- Fremington Dykes can be seen. The dykes can be traced on
both sides of the valley. Although the date of
the earthworks are unknown, they may well be post Roman to mark the
boundary between native and Anglian territory. Continue up the metalled road
through the village bearing left until reaching the Bridleway signed Ark/dale 4
turn left along the grassy track known locally as the Low Common
From this track there are
fine views of Reeth and the Swale valley. At the end of the track go
through the gate and out on to the open common and along the path for 300 yards
until reaching a stile on the left pass though the stile into the field. keeping
to the right of the barn head down the field towards the stile. Along this path
traces can be seen of a stone paved way this dates back to the lead mining era
and was used by the miners on their way to and from work.
Go
over the stile and across to another immediately opposite, go through that stile
and bear left down the field to another stile, keep straight on across two
fields and back to Reeth Bridge.
Getting
back:
Return on the same buses.
This webpage is provided by the Yorkshire Dales Public Transport Users Group, you are advised to confirm details of bus services with operators before travelling. Please check bus and train times carefully, particularly that of the last return journey.