The Grey Panthers

A walk through Swaledale meadows, riverside footpaths, and along country lanes that provides some of the best scenery in this dale.
Navigation is straightforward and there are no especially steep gradients.
The only difficulty we found was with some of the wall stiles, where there could be a bit of a drop on the other side.
If you choose a good day, the views are stunning.
There could be problems if the River Swale is running high, so best to do this walk when you know that the river is not in spate.

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!!

Park in the centre of Reeth (SE03814 99276).
Leave Reeth by the footpath that is signposted to the River Swale and Grinton.
Where the footpath leaves the lane to drop down to the River Swale, continue ahead. Follow the waymarked and signposted footpath to Healaugh.
Continue Westwards in Healaugh until you come to the street road that heads Northwards. Continue for about 100 yards, and then take the footpath Westwards. This footpath emerges at the lane that runs Southwards from Thiernswood Hall.
At the minor road, turn right and after a short distance, - after crossing the Barney Beck High Bridge, take the field footpath towards Low Row.
Just before reaching a house that is on the B6270, the footpath descends to meet this road. Continue Westwards along the road for about 1/4 mile. Great care is needed here as the road is narrow and traffic can appear unexpectedly.
On your left if a finger post that directs you to the footpath beside the River Swale.
Follow this footpath all the way to Isles Bridge.
Cross Isles Bridge and follow the minor road for a short distance.
At the junction, turn left and follow the road to Low Houses Farm.
Just past the farm is a lane marked "Not suitable for motor vehicles".
Follow this lane until it emerges at a minor road.
Continue Eastwards past Scabba Wath Bridge until you come to a footpath indicated by a finger post on your left.
Now follow the footpath down to and along the River Swale, and continue to the suspension bridge over the river.
Cross the suspension bridge and then return along the lane to Reeth.