SwaledaleTo Contents

One of the best dales for walking with an extraordinary variety of scenery and industrial heritage. Swaledale is not as over populated as some of the other areas presumably due to it's distance from large habitations

• Swaledale from near Crackpot / Gunnerside Gill

Contents

• Walk 1 - Gunnerside Gill- Swaledale - Muker -12 miles
• Walk 2 - Muker -Kisdon Hill - Keld 5½ miles (a family walk- recommended)
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Map reading is essential for these walks. The  relevant map is Outdoor Leisure 30 Northern & Central areas (double sided)

Bus services are infrequent in Swaledale. There is a Monday to Saturday service from Richmond to Reeth and Keld (Little Red Bus service 30). On Summer Sundays and Bank Holidays Northern Dalesman DalesBus 831 runs from Ribblehead to Leyburn, via Keld and Reeth- see www.dalesbus.org for details.

Walk 1 - Gunnerside Gill- Swaledale - Muker -12 miles. An excellent walk starting at Gunnerside near Kings Head. If carparking in Gunnerside is a problem proceed to Muker where there is a proper carpark.

Pass along footpath to right hand side of the beck going up-stream. Path goes around house and continues through woodland before opening out into Gill. Many old lead mining workings become apparent. Keep to right  hand side climbing to elevated view in narrow valley. After passing mine entrance start to descend to valley bottom until Blakethwaite Smelt Mill reached.

• Old lead mines in Gunnerside Gill

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• Miners tub in Gunnerside Gill

• Gunnerside Gill

Cross stream at intersection and return for a few yards on opposite side. Path then zig-zags to top of hill. (Do not follow either of the two valleys). After 1/2 mile the path joins a cart track over the summit of the hill. Follow this path for 3/4 mile. The path eventually leaves cart track at marker post to enter Swinnergill descending steeply.

After Swinnergill mine maintain right hand path at fork climbing slightly around shoulder of hill until Crackpot Hall and further track reached. Continue towards Keld dropping down to cross foot bridge across river Swale. Over footbridge turn left and follow river past Kisdon Force Waterfalls.

(a deviation can be made here to visit Keld - a worthwhile trip where there is a farmhouse tea room - turn right after footbridge over the Swale and proceed uphill for 1/4 mile. Retrace steps to footbridge upon return)

The footpath here is not shown on the OS map but weaves it's way through the trees and below the crag eventually rejoining the main  Keld-Muker path. Continue for 2½ miles through wooded section and across several fields until Muker reached.

• Crackpot Hall looking down Swaledale

• Kisdon Force

From Muker retrace steps across fields for ¼ mile but turn right to cross Swale. Turn right across bridge to follow path. After 1½ miles Ivlet Bridge and road reached. Follow minor road into Ivlet. Pass the Estate office and pick up the path across a small ravine and then across fields back to Gunnerside. 

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• Bunton Mine (1) - Gunnerside Gill

• Bunton Mine(2) - Gunnerside Gill

Walk 2 - Muker -Kisdon Hill - Keld 5½ miles (a family walk-  recommended) from Muker car park walk up through village (away from main road). Take track from near post office. This passes through several gates and winds it's way up Kisdon. After a few twists and turns the Pennine Way is crossed near a cottage. Carry on straight up the hill with wall on the left. pass through gate and bear diagonally left to top of hill. Path passes through gate and becomes track descending down to Thwaite-Keld road. Turn right and walk along road for 1/4 mile. Then right into Keld.

• Looking towards Keld from Kisdon Hill

There is a useful tea shop within a farm here. From the centre of Keld near the chapel there is an enclosed path running down to the Swale. Bear left at fork and continue to river  but do not cross the bridge. Follow right hand bank past Kisdon Force waterfalls.

• Swale Gorge near Keld

The footpath here is not shown on the OS map but weaves it's way through the trees and below the crag eventually rejoining the main  Keld-Muker path. Continue for 2½ miles through wooded section and across several fields until Muker reached. Back to contents

• Farmers Arms Muker

• Muker Village

• Muker Village Institute

Important note:- Whilst the author has taken every care in assembling the information on this site, no responsibility can be accepted for any error or omission herein. If in any doubt walkers should consult the relevant OS map.

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This page was last updated on 03-Jan-2010

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©John Carey 2009