Walks by Bus and Train in the Dales

Wensleydale Walk 1: Leyburn to West Burton

A long pleasant walk, suitable for experienced walkers who enjoy a long stroll, featuring the attractions of Leyburn, Bolton Castle, Aysgarth Falls and West Burton Falls.

Map: OS Explorer Map OL30

Distance:  12 miles 

Getting There: Leyburn is served by buses from Bedale (buses 156/157/856), Northallerton (bus 856 on Sundays and connections to Bedale on Mondays to Satrdays) on bus 73), Richmond (bus 159) and Ripon (bus 159), and during the summer months by Vintage Bus 127 from Ripon and Leyburn..

Risk Assessment: No steep ascents or descents, no rivers to cross, just a bit of a slippery patch at the Lower Falls, walking along the wet stones of the river banks.

The Route: Set off from Leyburn Market Place and walk along the Shawl [A]. Go over the stile at the end of the Shawl and through the swing gate and walk down the meadows to Gillfield Wood. Walk through the wood, and over a meadow to come out at Preston under Scar. At the far end of the village, pass three bungalows on your right and go through the gate to the wood of Preston Springs. Forward and then at the stile onto the road go left down the road, turning immediate right at the T junction onto the old road above Redmire. Come out onto Reeth Road.

Turn left and just before the railway bridge, go right onto the footpath which goes over Apedale Beck and on a footpath with the bed of the railway track to your left. Then go over the meadows and up to the right, to arrive at Bolton Castle [B]. You mat like to have lunch here. In the car park there are toilets and benches.

Set off for Aysgarth Falls taking the left hand path after the castle (not the one straight on marked Askrigg). Going passed West Bolton Farm and eventually coming out at Carperby at East End Farm. Turn right along the road, to go on a footpath to Aysgarth Falls, which is on the left, opposite The Wheatsheaf Inn [C]. Follow the way marked signs to come into Freeholders Wood [D].

Arrive at Aysgarth Falls National Park Centre and walk to the Middle Falls and Lower Falls. Then walk to the end of the car park avoiding the road to view the Upper Falls from the bridge. Leave for West Burton going up the steps by the mill and straight ahead at Aysgarth Church Yard. Cross the road at the top and go forward following the signs across the meadows to Eshington Bridge which you cross and then go right, over the meadows, coming out onto Bishopdale Road. Cross the road and go up the steps to West Burton. Turn right into the village [E].

Arrive at West Burton and turn left over the green and right at the mill to visit West Burton Falls. Catch the bus back to Leyburn from by the village store.

Getting Back:  Return from West Burton to Leyburn, Bedale or Hawes on Dales & District bus service 156. (On Sundays and Bank Holidays catch bus 856 from Aysgarth Falls Corner).