10.9 miles.
Explorer Map OL30, - Yorkshire Dales (Northern & Central
Areas)
Do this walk on a sunny day, with good visibility, and
you will be rewarded with some stunning views.
On the outward leg the walk is up on the scar that runs between Carperby
and Newbiggin, and you are rewarded with sweeping views of Wensleydale
to the South. Addlebrough dominates this view.
The walk then descends into Askrigg, a perfect place to stop and have
a picnic lunch.
The section of the walk from Askrigg back to Aysgarth essentially follows
the River Ure. In wet weather this river is prone to flooding, and parts
of the route can become a bit wet in consequence.
There are no major gradients or navigational problems. It IS possible
to get lost, though returning to the proper footpath is usually fairly
straightforward.
For a Memory Map overlay of the walk described, please select the above
link.
(Overlay made with Version 5 of Memory
Map)
Park in the public car park at Aysgarth Falls (SE011 887).
A fee is requred for this car park.
At the West end of the car park is a signposted footpath that crosses
the old railway track bed, and then heads North North West over fields
for about 1/2 mile. A curiosity of this footpath is the presence of
two stiles, all on their own (no fencing or wall on either side) in
the middle of the field!
Continue along the marked footpath until you come to the minor road
at SE008 893.
Head North along the road for a short distance, then take the footpath
on your right Northwards to Carperby village.
In the village, take the small lane that leads to a group of houses
in the West end of the village. Here a footpath is waymarked Northwards
through a farmyard. The footpath continues up the hillside through fields
to Ponderledge Scar. It helps to check the footpath against field boundaries
on a 1 : 25,000 scale map.
Once up at the scar, follow the broad track Westwards to Oxclose Gate.
Continue along the broad grass track, Westwards, on the Oxclose Road.
Shortly after passing a ford and waterfall, at SD978 905, you need to
change to the track that continues North West to Heugh.
Shortly after meeting the minor road above Heugh, a field footpath leads
you down hill, South Westwards, to Newbiggin.
Continue South Westwards from the hamlet of Newbiggin, down hill, to
Askrigg.
In Askrigg, find the lane (almost opposite the Church) that leads you
to the flagged field footpath running South East to Worton Bridge.
FRom here, take the footpath to Nappa Mill, then Northwards towards
Nappa Hall. Where the track crosses the disused railway line, take the
waymarked footpath East along the railway track bed. For the first 200
yards or so, the footpath runs to the North of the old track bed, beforejoining
it through a small gate.
Continue along the track bed until at SD968 902, the footpath splits.
Take the Southern footpath, that heads South East, - beside the River
Ure for much of the way, to eventually meet a farm track at SD995 889.
Here turn left and after a few yards return to the railway track bed
footpath heading Eastwards.
At SD999 890 follow the waymarks and footpath signposts to leave the
track bed and cross the fields to Bear Park Farm.
Continue along waymarked footpaths to go round Bear Park Farm and down
to the River Ure at the Upper Falls.
From there, return to the Aysgarth Falls car park.