9.44 miles.
Explorer Map 304, - Darlington & Richmond
A walk which can be undertaken at any time of the year,
with plenty of interest and some superb views.
However, when we did the walk the ground was VERY muddy and VERY slippery,
following a spell of recent wet weather. This somewhat diminished the
enjoyment of the walk, and you may find it best to do this walk when
the ground is reasonably dry.
There are one or two ascents and descents, but nothing that should deter
the average walker.
Navigation is helped by the presence of plenty of waymarks. However,
there is one point wherethe footpath on the map has been diverted, and
you may need to take a bit of care here.
We also found that on the descent from Hudswell, it was quite easy to
follow the wrong path, and although you won't get lost it may possibly
make the journey slightly longer and more difficult.
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 car park outside the station (and Richmond's
Swimming Baths), - NZ17658 00927. This car park is free, and has the
added benefit that the station is now a most attractive venue, with
a restaurant, bar, exhibition gallery and cinema. Worth a quick visit
after the walk! (NOTE: Post 2011 there is a time limit for parking at
the Station - strictly enforced, and the walk should now be started
form an alternative car park.)
Head over Station Bridge, and take the footpath on the North Bank of
the River Swale to Richmond Falls.
Continue along the road to Richmond Bridge.
Cross Richmond Bridge, and just past the house on the right hand side
there is a waymarked footpath that heads upwards through the woods.
Follow this path through the woods and then over fields in a Westerly
direction for a mile or so. The footpath is clearly waymarked.
However, at NZ152 004, the footpath has been diverted through a gate.
Instead of following the edge of several fields, the path continues
in woodland. Just past wherethe path crosses a small stream, take the
left footpath into Hudswell village.
Follow the road through Hudswell village until you come to the lane
leading to the parish church.
In the parish churchyard, the footpath heads East over a footbridge,
to join another footpath heading downhill through wooded valley. At
the junction of footpaths where the wooded valley ends, head Eastwards
along the path past Hudswell Bank to Round Howe.
Cross the River Swale by the metal footbridge.
From the car park on the North bank of the Swale (toilets and picnic
benches) head for the main road and turn left on the main road.
(If you take the footpath that heads West, this no longer leads you
to the main road but instead follows the River Swale for some distance).
Head West along the main road for a short distance until you see a farm
track on your right.
Continue along the farm track until you come to Green Lane on your right.
Follow Green Lane to the minor road.
At the minor road, turn left and walk past High Leases Farm.
Just past the farm is a waymarked footpath that takes you all the way
to Willance's Leap. (NZ135 021).
From Willance's Leap, take the footpath North Eastwards to the minor
road.
Follow the minor road for a short distance until you come to the waymarked
footpath on your right that takes you back to High Leases Farm.
From the farm, continue along the road back to Richmond.