The Grey Panthers

A very straightforward circular walk that takes in some of Wensleydale's best scenery.
Although the walk is best done on a clear day in order to enjoy the views, it was found to be enjoyable even on a dull, overcast, day.
Navigation is straightforward and there are no significant gradients.
It helps to have a a 1 : 25000 map to hand at a couple of points on the route so that field boundaries can be checked, but generally the royte is clearly waymarked and signposted.

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 the Dales car park for Aysgarth Falls (SE0147 88765).
Head towards the MIddle Falls (clearly signposted).
Continue Eastwards on the footpath, and at the point where the exit from the Lower Falls is indicated there is a footpath finger post on your left. This footpath directs you to Castle Bolton.
Continue on the footpath past Hollins House Farm and High Thoresby Farm to the road at Brunton Bank.
Follow the road for a short distance (great CARE needed with traffic) until you see a footpath on your left that directs you to Castle Bolton.
To follow the footpath over the fields at this point, you may need to follow the 1 : 25000 map in order to check your field boundaries.
Continue up the hill to Castle Bolton, and turn left at the Castle itself.
Now follow the broad track that is signposted to Askrigg.
At Low Gate the track splits, with the right hand fork taking you towards Askrigg.
You travel aong Oxclose Road, past old lead mining sites, until youcome to a waterfall over which the Thackthwaite Beck flows.
Cross the footbridge over the beck and continue along the footpath. About 100 yards further along, the footpath down to Woodhall is signposted.
Cross the road in Woodhall and continue down a lane to a farm. At the farm, the footpath continues on the North side of the farm buildings. Continue on a South Easterly direction, keeping the field wall on your left, until you reach the road at Ballowfield.
Walk along the road for a couple of hundred yards, until you come to the lane on your right.
Now join the footpath signposted to Yore Bridge that initially follows the track bed of the old railway line.
After about 1/2 mile, the footpath leaves to railway track bed. Follow the finger posts now to follow the footpath to Bear Park, the Upper Falls at Aysgarth, and the Dales car park.