11.7 miles.
Explorer Map OL30, - Yorkshire Dales (Northern & Central Areas)
This walk is recommended for days when the visibility is
good. Although good visibility isn't essential, the superb views are such
that the walk is best savoured when the air is clear and there are no
clouds around.
There are few navigational problems, and with one exception only the walk
follows well defined tracks and footpaths, with some walking on minor
roads.
The one exception to easy navigation is the start of the descent into
Slei Gill, where the "footpath" is by taking a bearing over
rough ground.
For this part of the walk, it is essential that a map is used and you
can see where you are going.
For a Memory Map overlay of the walk described, please select the above
link.
(Overlay made with Version 5 of Memory Map)
Start from the centre of Reeth village (SE03812 99292).
Follow the road South out of Reeth to the bridge over the River Swale
(Care! Traffic!)
Once you have crossed the bridge, take the footpath East over pastureland
to High Fremington. Almost as soon as you are in High Fremington, there
is a track leading North to Fremington Edge. The track starts out as a
rough, stony, track before joining a minor road. Eventually, the minor
road becomes a track again and crosses the boundary wall of Fremington
Edge Top.
Continue North along the track to eventually come to the hamlet of Hurst.
At Hurst, turn right along the minor road towards Washfold. Continue East
North East along Goats Road. This leads to Schoolmaster Pasture Farm.
At the Farm, take Mooresdale Road (a shooetr's track) that takes you West
over Hurst Moor.
Just past the St. Andrew's Cross (NE03195 04007) keep an eye out for some
grouse butts that are at a bearing of about 260 degrees from you. You
will need to leave the shooter's track and descend over rough ground in
the direction of these grouse butts.
There is no discernible footpath until you are past the grouse butts.
There is then a very faint path that leads through the bracken towards
the head of Slei Gill.
Just at the head of Slei Gill, the footpath becomes easy to follow, and
a cairn marks the head of the descent.
Follow the path down Slei Gill almost due South all the way to the farm
at Storthwaite Hall.
From here, the footpath back to Reeth is clearly waymarked and follows
the Arkle Beck to Reeth Bridge.