DALES TRAVERSE

A 25 MILE WALK IN THE YORKSHIRE DALES ROUTE

Start Kilnsey Village—GR 975678 under the imposing Kilnsey Crag (GR 974681).  Take the main road S from the village and after 500 yds TL to Conistone on the opposite side of the valley. Head N out of the village, taking the first track on the R, climb up to Wassa Hill and onto the top of Hill Castles Scar (at GR 991682).  Walk N along the Scar towards Kettlewell, noting the view up Littondale to the W. After about 11/2 miles, join the track which comes in from your L through gate into the wood (GR 982706) and follow it down to the road and at the edge of Kettlewell Village turn RT at the Junction, go towards the Church.  TL over the bridge then TR in front of the Village Shop, and take the Coverdale Road until the road takes a sharp turn (GR 972725).  At this point you follow on the rough track up to Cam Head.  TL along the Starbottom Road, go through two gates with stiles TR through wall up track to where the track bears left.  TR just before the fence to a wall corner. Follow the wall on R to a fence gate and boundary wall. Cross over TL and follow it all the way to Buckden Pike (2302‑961788). The highest point of the walk at Trig Point you will see a path along side of the wall going down to the main track, follow this bearing left to the gate (GR 952791) continue along track, this then takes you to Buckden car park (GR 942773).  From the car park you take the road past the Village Shop.  Cross over the Village Green and continue straight on the Main Hubberholme Road for about 600 yards to the track on the left which goes to Redmire Farm.  Just before the farm you will see a footpath sign on your R, this takes you over to Litton passing Redmire Pot on your L. (GR 933766) again this is a hard climb but the view from the top in good weather is marvellous.  From the Trig Point (GR 926748) the path becomes easy down to Litton passing the Queen's Arms.  Turn R on the main road for a few yards past the Village Shop to the footpath on the L which goes over the foot bridge, turn L along the river to East Garth, then follow the footpath to Arncliffe Village.  Go over the bridge towards the village. TR past the green at the Falcon Inn take the footpath over to Malham passing Yew Gogar Scar. Taking note of the view as you go along, noting the small cairns along the path to Middle House, follow track through to gate (GR 907678) then to wire fence over stile then along farm track to Street Gate (GR 905656) passing West Great Scar on R at Street Gate turn L and follow the ancient Mastiles Lane, a former drovers road, E over Gordale Beck. Walk along Mastiles Gate then start to climb over Kilnsey Moor which you will now have a good view of the finish and what you have just walked, go past the quarry on the left into Kilnsey.

Map 1:50,000 Sheet 98 – “Wensleydale & Wharfedale” or 1:25,000 – “Wensleydale & Upper Wharfedale”