The Grey Panthers

Explorer Map OL30, - Yorkshire Dales (North)

Potentially, this walk is extrememly scenic. Much of the walk is beside the banks of the River Greta as it tumbles through a steep gorge. There is woodland on both banks, with plenty of flowers and wild life.
The ruined church of St. Mary's in Brignall, and Brignall Mill, both make great photographic subjects. Wandering round the old gravestones in St. Mary's churchyard is a poignant moment.
BUT..... although the walk was described in "Spring Walks" in the Times newspaper in April 2014, this is NOT a walk for anybody who is not sure-footed and with a head for heights.
Significant sections of the walk are long unstable and slippery rocky footpaths, sometimes difficult to see. There are also sections of the walk which cling to the side of a very steep valley, where it helps to have a head for heights.
It was surprising to see this walk in a newspaper where a wide range of people might attempt it, as the walk should really only be attempted by those who are relatively experienced.

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 web site, - just use QUO!!

Start from the road just past the Morritt Hotel (NZ08452 13346). This is a no-through road and carries no traffic.
Head back past the Morritt Hotel and just before Greta Bridge there is a wall stile that leads to the footpath beside the River Greta.
Follow this footpath to the ruined St. Mary's Church, then onward beside the River Greta heading Westwards.
Past Brignall Banks the path climbs upwards along a track to reach a field.
Continue Westwards to the access road to Brignall Mill.
Just before the Mill, follow the footpath waymarks to the bridge over the River Greta.
Immediately after crossing the river, turn left and follow the footpath beside the river.
Continue on the riverside footpath until it ascends so that it now runs at the top of the gorge above Black Scar.
Continue through woodland until the footpath turns right through Thorns Wood.
Follow this footpath to Gillbeck Bridge.
Here turn left onto the minor road (Cowclose Lane) until you come to a signposted byway on your left, just past a plantation.
Follow the byway until you come to a footpath to Crook's House Farm, then follow the track to Wilson House Farm.
Head North along the road, then take the signposted footpath at Mill Wood back to Greta Bridge.