Map:
Distance: 11 miles
Getting There: Hawes is served by buses from Garsdale Station (bus 113) and Bedale (connections from Northallerton on bus 73) and Leyburn (buses 156/157). On Summer Sundays and Bank Holidays there are DalesBus services from York, Leeds, Ilkley and Grassington (bus 800), Northallerton, Bedale and Leyburn (bus 856) and from Settle, Ingleton and Ribblehead (bus 832). In the summer months there's also Vintage Bus 127 from Ripon and Leyburn.
Risk Assessment: A difficult walk with steep climbs, moorland, difficult stiles and heavy gates! A walk for experienced walkers only.
The
Route:
1. Walk up Brunt Acres Road, on the left hand side, to a gate, with a sign for
the Pennine Way. Walk on this paved path, across a meadow to come out just
before Haylands Bridge. After crossing the bridge turn leftand walk over field
paths to Hardraw (no time to visit Waterfall on this walk). Walk through the
village and turn right, onto a lane with a sign Pennine Way [A].
2. This is a steep climb up the Pennine Way. Turn left, soon after going through
a large farm gate to leave the Pennine Way after 1 mile, signed Cotterdale. Go
on this rough moorland path, above Cotterdale to Cotterdale village [B].
3. Near the end of the village turn left after crossing Cotterdale Beck and
gradually walk up hill to the minor road which you cross. Now climb steeply up
Low Rigg over rough moorland, crossing The High Way and down hill to Thwaite
Bridge. Cross the A684, and climb up to Mossdale Waterfall [C]. This is a good
place for lunch before setting off for Appersett.
4. Field paths beside Mossdale Gill and the River Ure to Appersett. There may be
a flooded stream to cross.
5. At Appersett cross the bridge over Widdell Beck and take the “No Through
Road” lane on the right to Thorney Mire House [D].
6. Just after Thorney Mire House take the bridleway on the left and, when the
path divides, continue on the right hand path. Coming out on the B6255. Cross
the road and go slightly left and take the footpath which skirts a large barn.
Follow this path through several meadows, going through gate stiles in the
walls, to come out at Mossy Lane which you cross, continuing on to Gayle [E].
Walk down the road from Gayle to Hawes.
Getting
Back: Return from
Hawes on bus 113, 127, 156, 157, 800, 832 or 856.
Points of Interest:
This was one of the remotest sites visited by Turner. He arrived late in the
afternoon of Saturday 27th July 1816 and did several sketches; the watercolour
which he later painted makes Mossdale Falls look very dramatic.
[A] Pause for a rest as you climb up and turn around to admire the view of
Addleborough.
[B] Cotterdale refers both to the dale and the village, it is a very quiet
peaceful place where Cotterdale beck can be seen meandering along the valley
bottom.
[C] Mossdale Head looks very different now from when Turner visited, the railway
between Hawes and Garsdale was built in the late 1870’s, and this rather
attractive Viaduct, is all that remains now.
[D] There is another good example of a Victorian viaduct along the lane.
[E] The often derelict field barns which you pass were used to house 4 or 5 cows
in the winter. Their food was stored in the loft above and the farmer would walk
from the farmhouse to milk them each day.
Walk details provided
by
Leyburn Walkers are Welcome - June 2010
Public transport information is available at www.dalesbus.org
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 those of the last return journey.