The Grey Panthers

Explorer Map OL30, - Yorkshire Dales, Northern & Central Area

The highlight of this walk is the ascent of Penhill, - the hill that dominates much of Wensleydale. The ascent is quite strenuous, - especially if using the route shown on the OS map.
The walk starts from the village of West Burton, and uses footpaths and field lanes to reach Penhill.
Once up on Penhill there is a walk along the summit before reaching the Penhill Beacon, and a gradual descent down from the summit.
There is then a descent down a section of raod which is very steep, with sharp bends, before returning to West Burton along country lanes and field footpaths.
Navigation is reasonably straightforward, but use of a 1 : 25,000 OS map is recommended.
This walk is best undertaken in clear weather and good visibility in order to enjoy the views from Penhill.

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 centre of West Burton village, where there is space for cars parked beside the village green (SE017 866).
Head towards the West Burton falls, and cross the beck by the footbridge.
Head due East along the field footpath and continue until you reach some woodland straight ahead. Here turn left on the footpath signed to Morpeth Gate.
When you reach the lane, turn right and continue along this farm lane until you reach the field gate on your right at SE044 879. (Opposite this gate is the track of Green Gate Lane).
Now follow the field footpath as per the OS map to Black Scar. From Black Scar there is then a difficult scramble to the summit plateau.
An easier footpath to the summit plateau is NOT shown on the OS map, but is visible by eye and can clearly be seen on Google Earth.
Once up on the summit plateau, cross the field boundary wall and walk Eastwards, past the trig point and onwards to where there is a gate in the wall.
Head Northwards from the gate to where there is a large cairn with a cross on top.
From here there is a clear footpath down to the road above Pen Hill Farm.
Continue down the road from the farm (Great CARE, - the road is steep with bends, and with traffic ascending / descending).
Just before Capple Bank Farm there is a lane on your left which takes you to ther Chantry Caravan Park.
Walk through the park until you come to Langthwaite Lane at the park's exit.
Follow Langthwaite Lane, and then field footpaths to the Templar's Chapel.
From here take the lane down to Temple Farm.
Just before the main road there is a footpath, shown by a finger post, on your left.
Follow this footpath back to West Burton.