Walking
along lanes and paths close to the river from Gunnerside to Reeth in one of
Yorkshire’s most beautiful valleys.
Map: Outdoor Leisure Map No.30
Distance: Normal Route: 6½ miles (
10½ km); Temporary
Route: 7¼ miles ( 11½ km) Easy walking and
virtually level.
Walking time: 3¼
hours
Getting There: Monday to Saturday
service 30 from Richmond or Summer Sunday service 803 from
West Yorkshire, Ripon and Leyburn. Alight at Gunnerside.
The Route:
From the main square in Gunnerside head south on the B.6270 with Gunnerside Beck
on your left and cross the Swale at New Bridge by its confluence with the Beck.
Continue on the road as it rises a little and turns right, then left to a
minor junction.
Turn left there, over the cattle grid, and bear left straight after it,
taking the lower of two alternatives.
This old, enclosed lane continues for a mile and a half until it comes to
a junction with a slightly wider road just after Haverdale House.
Turn left.
After
300 yards, a road goes off to the left.
Ignore it and continue straight ahead.
In 650 yards, just after a curve to the left and the properties at Low
Houses, take the left hand alternative at the fork.
This is Low Lane which continues for 1½ miles where it meets another
road.
Joining that road go forward, pass the end of the road to Scabba Wath
Bridge, and on for a further ½ mile.
Leave the road there bearing left onto a bridleway close to the river.
After almost a mile, the bridleway turns half-right away from the river
for ¼ mile which brings you to a junction of paths.
In
normal times, turn left there to the foot-bridge over the Swale. At the
far end of that bridge turn half-right to another bridge over a minor stream.
Bear left ascending up the enclosed path and follow it where it turns right.
This leads into the edge of Reeth. Take the second lane left to reach the
centre of the village. Unfortunately the bridge was washed away in the
winter of 2000/2001 and is not expected to be replaced until late 2002.
As a temporary measure, continue straight ahead on the bridleway for a further two-thirds of a mile where you join a surfaced road. Bear slightly left along it into Grinton village. Turn left at the road junction and over Grinton Bridge. Immediately after the bridge, turn left onto a field path which soon curves gently right to the side of the Arkle Beck. Follow this upstream to re-join the road, then left along the road, over the bridge, and into Reeth.
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 times carefully, particularly that of the last return journey as there is only a limited service on routes 30 and 803.