10.6 miles
Explorer Map No OL30 - Yorkshire Dales Northern & Central Areas and Exploer Map No OL19
A walk through some superb Dales scenery, which can be tailored
to be somewhat shorter if needs be,
The footpaths are very easy to follow, being well marked and in
most cases well walked.
The only exception to this was the section betweent the Widdale
Beck railway viaduct and Hawes, where it helped to follow the
1 : 25000 map with respect to the field patterns.
There are a couple of climbs, - one involving a trek up rough
pasture.
The walk can be shortened by omitting the visit to Hardraw Force
waterfall (entrance fee £2).
For a Memory Map overlay of the walk described, please select the
above link.
(Overlay made with Version 5 of Memory
Map)
Some new mapping software is now availabe which you may want to try, - QUO mapping. You can download the software for free from the link below, complete with demonstration maps. Having installed QUO, you can import and export Memory Map overlays. Thus YOU DON'T NEED Memory Map to use any of the overlays provided on the Grey Panthers website, - just use QUO!!
Start from Dales Information Centre in Hawes (SD87532
89873).
Exit up the steps that take you to the Hawes - Hardraw road and turn
right.
Follow the Pennine Way footpath (well marked to Hardraw.
In Hardraw, a visit to the Hardraw Force waterfall is recommended.
Entrance is via the Green Dragon Inn. Cost £2.
FRom Hardraw, continue North West along the Pennine Way footpath.
Just past where the Hearne Coal Road branches off from the Pennine
Way, the footpath to Cotterdale is signposted.
This path crosses rough pastureland, though the path is easy to follow.
The footpath leads you into Cotterdale itself.
Turn right to have a look at Shepherd's Cottage (dates back to 1616).
Head Southwards through Cotterdale, and shortly after crossing the
beck, turn left to take the footpath that takes you to a prominent
footbridge, and continue to where the footpath divides.
Here take the right fork, and continue up the slope to cross the minor
road.
Continue uphill over rough pasture and moorland on the well marked
footpath, which then descends to Thwaite Bridge.
Cross the A684 and continue Southwards to Mossdale Head Farm.
From the farm, the footpath is clearly marked and follows the River
Ure to Appersett.
Cross the Widdale Beck in Appersett then take the minor road to the
Widdale Beck viaduct.
Pass under the viaduct, then take the field footpaths back to Hawes.