11.2 miles
Explorer Map OL30, - Yorkshire Dales (North)
A walk in a lesser known part of Swaledale, which is nonetheless
highly rewarding. Part of the Coast-to-Coast footpath is used,
and the views are of farmland rather than the high moorland of
Upper Swaledale.
The first section of the walk utilises farm tracks and minor roads,
with short sections of footpaths over farmland.
The return section of the walk crosses open farmland on field
footpaths.
Navigation is very straightforward, and there are no gradients
that are too demanding.
The only tricky sections are 1) the Nun's Steps by Marrick Abbey,
where a descent / ascent is made of a flight of very old, uneven,
flagstones, and 2) a footpath detour in Marrick where a farm lane
has notices posting it as being off limits.
PLease note that in Summer the fields that are crossed may contain
cows with their calves, and all precautions need to be taken in
this respect.
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 available 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 Point : The lay-by by the disused quarry close
to Downholme Bridge (SE11288 99547).
The route can be adjusted, - and shortened by 1 mile or so, by parking
near the cross-roads in Marske (NZ103 004) where a lay-by has been
created (voluntary donations to the local church).
From Downholme Bridge walk along the road to Maarske, and where the
road bends right take the minor farm road to Marrick Park.
Pass through the gates of Marrick Park's farmyard, and continue along
the track to Marrick.
Continue to the cottages at Helmsley House, then cross a short section
of field footpath to enter the lane between Marrick and Marrick Abbey.
At Marrick Abbey continue along the minor road to Grinton.
About 1/2 mile outside Grinton, a field footpath takes you to Grinton
Bridge. Cross the bridge to visit St. Agatha's Church, Grinton.
Retrace your steps to Marrick Abbey and head along the lane to Marrick
itself.
Continue ahead at the old Wesleyan chapel along the lane into Marrick
and continue Eastwards through the village until you come to a road
junction.
At this point, the map indicates to go straight ahead down a lane
to join the footpath to Marske. However, notices indicate that this
lane is off limits to both pedestrians and vehicles.
Instead, turn right and follow the minor road in a "loop",
until a footpath sign shows you the way to rejoin the Coast-to-Coast
footpath.
Now head North Eastwards using field footpaths towards Marske, passing
the isolated house "Ellers" by the Ellers Beck.
At the cross roads in Marske, take the road South Eastwards to Cat
Bank, then take the field footpaths to return to Downholme Bridge.