11.5 miles.
Explorer Map No 298 - Nidderdale
This walk is adapted from Walk
No 19 in "North Country Walks No 2" by Keith Watson (though
the directions given by Keith Watson are now somewhat out of date).
The route uses public footptahs across farmland, as well as some road
walking. About 40% of the walk follows part of the Ripon Rowel Way,
a long distance footpath.
Careful use of the map, and compass, is essential to make sure that
you follow the footpaths.
We found that the Ripon Rowel Way was heavily overgrown, and very slippery,
in parts. Making progress was surprisingly heavy going.
For a Memory Map overlay of the walk described, please select the above
link.
(Overlay made with Version 4 of Memory Map)
Start from the free car park in
West Tanfield (SE2692578850).
Cross the River Ure by the road bridge, and continue along the A6108,
- CARE with traffic!, to where there is a footpath on your right (by
a gate) at SE2755677132.
Take this footpath to pass Sleningford Park on your left, and then take
the footpath to join the minor road that runs towards Mickley.
Follow the minor road to Mickley, and along through the village, until
you meet the footpath on your right at SE2488576392. This footpath is
slightly hidden, and is accessed by a stile which is heavily overgrown
and difficult to climb over.
The footpath between here and Grewelthorpe needs careful navigation
using the map and compass, studying the field boundaries on the map
as you proceed.
Enter Grewelthorpe by a walled lane.
Turn right and walk along Grewelthorpe's "High Street", leaving
Grewlthorpe by Nutwith Lane.
At SE2261776797take the footpath across the field system to Horsepasture
Hill at SE2248877536.
Enter the woodland by the footpath North, then take the Forestry track
East to the road between Grewelthorpe and Masham.
Cross the road to find the footpath that takes you East to join the
Ripon Rowel Way in the woodlands by the River Ure.
Follow the Ripon Rowel Way all the way back, through Mickley, to West
Tanfield.