9.0 miles.
Explorer Map No OL30 - Yorkshire Dales, Northern and Central
Areas
The main attraction of this walk is the stupendous scenery
of Swaledale, - including the fascinating field patterns, field barns,
waterfalls, and the rugged gash of Swinner Gill. As such, the walk is
best made on a sunny day with high visibility.
However, we made the walk on a misty day with very poor visibility,
and even though many of the views weren't available the walk was still
enjoyable.
There is some climbing involved, and the track from Crackpot Hall to
the top of Swinner Gill is steep. You need to have a sure footing to
use this track.
The descent from Kisdon Hill is also fairly steep, especially from Kisdon
down to Thwaite.
In good visibility there are no navigational problems, but in poor visibility
it helps to have a map, compass, and satellite navigation aid.
For a Memory Map overlay of the walk described, please select the above
link.
(Overlay made with Version 4 of Memory Map)
Start from Muker village. There is a pay car park at SD90994
97694.
Take the footpath that takes you down through the meadows to the footbridge
over the River Swale at SD910 986.
Cross over the footbridge and immediately take the broad track on your
left, keeping the River Swale on your left.
Continue along the track to reach Swinner Gill.
At Swinner Gill, continue along the signposted track, uphill, in a North
Westerly direction.
At SD904 008 a broad track meets the track you are on. Immediately turn
on yourself to use this track, which heads East, - passing above Crackpot
Hall. The track comes to a gate in a wall, beyond which the track becomes
a rather steep and narrow footpath on which you need to have a sure
footing.
Continue on this footpath to the head of Swinner Gill.
Retrace your steps to Crackpot Hall,and then head West towards Keld.
The Pennine Way footpath meets this track at NY896 011. Here, turn left
and cross the Swale by a footbridge, passing some very attractive waterfalls
on your left.
Continue along the Pennine Way footpath into Keld.
Head due South out of keld along the roadway, until you come to a farm
track at NY892 005. Turn into this track, and follow it over Kisdon
Hill until you meet the Pennine Way again at SD903 985.
Here, follow the Pennine Way down towards Thwaite.
Before entering Thwaite, at SD893 982, turn sharp left and take the
footpath through meadows (single file!) to reach the road at SD900 979.
Continue East along the road for about 200 yards, and then take the
signposted footpath to Muker at the farm / camp site.