With long days of summer holidays upon us, take a day and travel in to upper Swaledale, one of the most scenic and unspoilt areas of the Dales. This walk reflects all that is best of the area including some nice swimming pools!
The walk starts in the lovely village of Keld, drive in to the village and it is on the left. Keld can be a busy place for walkers, it is where the Coast to Coast and Pennine Way meet.
Walk back through the village and join a good track high above the River Swale on your left. After 330m the track divides and a path to your left drops down through the woods to a footbridge over the river.
After a short climb from the bridge it is worth the 200m detour on your right to the impressive Kisdon Force (waterfall). Return along the Pennine Way and climb steeply to East Stonesdale house. The house has surely one, if not the, most impressive gardens and views in the Yorkshire Dales. Maybe my perfect house!
From the house, take the left fork of the path, leaving the Pennine Way which heads up hill on its journey towards Tan Hill. The path at this stage contours the hillside and the views to the south east are superb. After two thirds of a mile the path crosses a minor road before continuing along the hillside.
The River Swale below you has a series of attractive swimming pools which can be accessed from the road on the far side. After a further half mile drop down to Low Bridge and cross it. The path now joins the B6270, turn right and follow it for a further half mile. Although this is along a road the views are still very good, including the one north to Ravenseat.
Take the path to the left before the road crosses the river which is signposted. Did you know that when a path leaves a road it is the only place where there has to legally be a footpath sign, there is no need anywhere else.
The next section of the walk is on a less obvious path over open moorland. The path starts steeply and veers left to a stile. Cross this and head south east to cross two further stiles. From here the faint path eases and soon meets a shooting track. Cross this and continue uphill through another boundary. The path now passes its highest point at Black Hill (439m).
The path bends to a more southerly direction and starts to descend. The descent in to the hamlet of Angram is difficult to find but if you aim for the red phone box it will be close!
The hill opposite is Kisdon Hill, a fine fell which is worth climbing on another day. On this walk head north up the road in Angram and take the lane heading towards the river. Almost immediately turn left and join a path which winds its way through a number of fields between the road to the left and river to the south.
After half a mile return to the road. It is easy at this point to follow the road back in to Keld and a pint at the Keld Lodge.
WALK FACTS
Distance: Roughly 5.5 miles.
Height to climb: 330m (1050 feet) Start: NY 892012. There parking to the left on entry in to Keld.
Difficulty: Medium. There are two distinctive sections, the first part is on very good paths with the second over open moorland.
Refreshments: Keld Lodge and a café just outside Keld.
Be prepared: The route description and sketch map only provide a guide to the walk. You must take out and be able to read a map (O/S Explorer OL30) and in cloudy/misty conditions a compass. You must also wear the correct clothing and footwear for the outdoors. Whilst every effort is made to provide accurate information, walkers head out at their own risk.
Please observe the Countryside Code and park sensibly.
More walk suggestions below:
- Farmland, moors and industrial heritage: Discover the beauty of Rosedale
- Going wild for a spectacular display of blubells on this pleasant cIrcular walk
- See a castle, a ruined abbey and wonderful riverside paths on this one-way walk
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Jonathan Smith runs Where2walk, a walking company based in the Yorkshire Dales. He has published three books on walking in the Dales, The Yorkshire 3 Peaks,The Dales 30 mountains and Walks without Stiles. All these books (and more) are available direct from the Where2walk website.
Climb the Three Peaks in three days (Yorkshire version) on September 6, 7 and 8. Book a navigation (map and compass skills) training day near Settle (next date September 2).
All dates and details are on where2walk.co.uk, which also features hundreds of walks across Yorkshire and beyond, from easy strolls to harder climbs.
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