9.69 miles.
Explorer Map OL30, - Yorkshire Dales (North)
A superb walk which takes in a mix of gentle walking beside
the River Swale, with some rugged walking across open moorland.
There is a steep ascent up pasture land from Isles Bridge, and a steep
descent again from the open moorland.
Crossing the open moorland is across Open Access Land, and as such there
is no discernable footpath. The walker must therefore be able to use
a compass.
It is also fairly necessary to complete this part of the walk in reasonable
visibility, as there are plenty of shake holes and dips in the ground
which need to be looked out for.
Providing you are a reasonably competent walker, this walk has much
to recommend it. It is especially pleasant if made on a fine day, when
the views are particularly rewarding.
For a Memory Map overlay of the walk described, please select the above
link.
(Overlay made with Version 5 of Memory
Map)
Start from parking area near Gunnerside village hall (SD95082
98241).
Cross over to the lane that runs beside the public house, wher the public
conveniences are found. Just before the public conveniences a footpath
takes you down to the Swale Bridge (Gunnerside New Bridge).
Follow the footpath Eastwards beside the River Swale to Isles Bridge.
Cross the River Swale at Isles Bridge and follow the road South for
a short distance.
Where the road meets another road, there is a footpath South that runs
beside a small beck.
Follow this footpath South, and then South East in the direction of
Robson House Farm. Near this farm, a farm track takes you up to a minor
road.
Turn right on this minor road, and follow it for about two miles.
Where there is a sharp left hand bend in the road, you will see a gate
on your right that leads to a rough track that leads to Summer Lodge.
Go through this gate and follow the track for a short distance. Ahead
of you there are some disused mine workings. Leave the track and head
for these ruins.
From here, the route is a direct line over Open Access Land at a bearing
of baout 290 degrees.
Continue on this bearing until you come to a fence. CRoss the fence
and now head downhill for a short distance until you come to a stream
by a disused sheep fold (the Black Gutter).
Cross the stream and now follow the wall (on your right) over moorland
until you come to a spoil heap just short of Ned Gate (where four walls
meet).
Here head North Westwards along a faint track until you come to a stony
track that heads West South West uphill. Follow this track until you
eventually come to a gate in a wall at Spout Gill.
Now follow the farm road downhill past Gill Head, until you come to
a signposted footpath on your left that takes you to Oxnop Bridge.
From here take the minor road to Ivelet Bridge and then onwards to Ivelet.
In Ivelet village follow the signposted footpath back to Gunnerside.