The Grey Panthers

A walk to be reserved for clear, fine days when the visibility is good.
However, even on a damp, misty day the walk remains enjoyable. The highlights of the walk include the walk along Haw Lane with the views down into Bishop Dale and the village of Thornton Rust, the Gayle Ing Beck near Gayle Ing Farm, and the 4,000 year old neolithic monument of Castle Dykes.
Generally, navigation is straightforward, but it certainly helps to have a 1 : 250000 OS map to follow the footpath across fields in the first part of the walk. There are many "squeeze stiles" in this section of the walk which could pose problems.
There is some open moorland, where poor visibility could pose a problem.
Before the Gayle In Bcek is crossed, there is a very steep descent, which requires care (especially if the grass is wet).

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).
Cross the road bridge over the River Ure that overlooks the Upper Falls (CARE : Traffic!).
Staright ahead there is a stepped footpath that ascends to the churchyard.
Continue Southwards through the churchyard, cross the busy A684, and take the field footpath through the next two fields.
At the bottom of the second field, turn right before the stone wall, and head Westwards along the sometimes rather indistinct footpath. Continue on field footpaths to reach the minor road just South of the corner where the A684 enters Aysgarth village.
Near the garage, a lane takes you due West to meet another lane (just South of the Friends' Burial Ground).
here turn left and head South for one field, before taking the field footpath over a succession of fields to Folly Lane.
Head Southwards down Folly Lane and field footpaths until you come to Haw Lane.
Head Westwards along Haw Lane, gradually ascending all the time. You will pass the summit (though this isn't marked) and just past this point there is a gate in a stone wall.
About 200 yeards past this point, now on the Stahe Road, there is a small cairn on your right that marks the start of the footpath to Gayle Ing Farm.
Follow the footpath down to the Gayle Ing Beck (crossing by the footpbridge), then up to Gayle Ing Farm.
Follow the field wall Northwards to pass through a stile where you meet a track across Flout Moor.
Follow the track to the Flout Moor Lane and then onwards to Ayssgarth.
The Castle Dykes henge is passed on your right. This ancient monument is indicated by a metal plate in the field wall, and a stile enables you to walk across rough ground (no footpath) to view the henge.
Back in Aysgarth village, take the field footpath found at the Eastern end of the village to return to the church at Aysgarth Falls, and the car park from where you started.