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Penhill & West Burton from Aysgarth Falls

Yorkshire Dales Walk

Nat Park - Yorkshire Dales - Wensleydale

County/Area - North Yorkshire

Author - Lou Johnson

Length - 10.0 miles / 16.3 km    Ascent - 1500 feet / 455 metres

Time - 6 hours 30 minutes    Grade - moderate

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Walk Route Description

Photo from the walk - Penhill & West Burton
Click image to visit gallery of 2 images.

Wensleydale, unlike most other dales, is not named after the river that runs through it. This Yorkshire Dales walk visits a superb series of waterfalls on the River Ure and then continues to Pen Hill, which offers fine views across the dale before returning via the attractive village of West Burton. The start is the large car park adjacent to the National Park Centre (Grid ref. SE 011887) near Aysgarth Falls. This car park can be reached from the A684 Leyburn to Hawes road from just east of Aysgarth village.

From the car park exit south to the River Ure and cross the road bridge from where there are views on your right to High Force. On reaching the south bank of the river leave the road and follow the path to the church. Turn left and take the signed path to reach the river bank and views of Middle and Lower Force. More dramatic after heavy rain they are still an impressive sight in drier weather. Continue on the path to reach the A684. Sadly this road has become very busy in recent years and you need take care as you head east towards Leyburn.

Just before Temple Farm (Grid ref. SE 032889) turn right along a signed right of way. This leads after a short climb through woodland to the Knights Templars' Chapel where several interesting graves can be seen. After visiting this historic site return to the right of way and continue to a gate (Grid ref. SE 039886). Do not follow the path heading east instead turn right and follow the track south keeping the wall on your left. This leads to High Lane. Turn left and continue on this walled lane for two kilometres to a point where a path crosses the lane (Grid ref. SE 059877). Turn right here and ascend through fields to reach Flint Lane.

Go straight over this track and continue climbing to reach the main path that heads west to Penhill Beacon. Turn west (right) and continue to the Beacon from where you have superb views over Wensleydale. Following the path along the edge, which should be on your right, continue to Black Scar (Grid ref. SE 043867). The path is about 150 metres short of the second wall after leaving the trig point. Should you miss this path then descend alongside this second wall (Grid ref. SE 041866) trending northeast to locate the path that leads down to a wall (Grid ref. SE 043872). The onward path descends steadily to reach High Lane (Grid ref. SE 044879).

Turn left along the walled lane and continue until you reach Morpeth Scar. Ignore the lane descending the escarpment instead forking right in a southerly direction and climbing steadily to reach Hudson Quarry. Just before the quarry turn right down a signed footpath following this down the escarpment into the attractive village of West Burton. A popular place with car-bound visitors refreshments are available here and a short visit to the waterfalls adds further interest to the walk.

Leave West Burton on the main road heading north to the A684. At the road junction (Grid ref. SE 019872) take the left fork - Eshington Lane. The footpath runs in an adjacent field parallel with the road for s short distance before reaching Eshington Bridge. Where the road bends right locate the signed footpath on your left. Ascent at the end of a walk is never welcome and the climb is short and sweet with the A684 soon reached. Cross over the main road and follow the footpath past the church and down to the River Ure. Access to the car park is on your left.

Other walks nearby

Walk 1680 Haw Lane & Aysgarth Moor easy/mod6.3 miles
Walk 3333 Redmire Force & the Templar's Chapel from West Witton easy/mod6.7 miles
Walk 1694 Nappa Hall & Whitfield Gill Force easy/mod6.0 miles
Walk 2822 Aysgarth & Castle Boltonmod/hard14.5 miles
Walk 3524 Semer Water and Cam High Road from Bainbridge easy/mod5.7 miles
Walk 2265 Semer Water, Stalling Busk & Marsetteasy4.0 miles
Walk 2190 Calver Hill & Reeth Low Mooreasy/mod6.0 miles
Walk 1056 Gunnerside & Surrender Bridgemoderate10.3 miles
Walk 1197 Gunnerside & Swinner Gillsmoderate8.5 miles
Walk 3093 Bunton Hush, Blakethwaite & Gunnerside Gilleasy/mod5.5 miles

Recommended Books & eBooks

Trail and Fell Running in the Yorkshire Dales

Trail and Fell Running in the Yorkshire DalesGuidebook to 40 of the best trail and fell runs in the Yorkshire Dales National Park. Ranging from 5 to 24 miles, the graded runs start from bases such as Ribblehead, Dent, Sedbergh, Malham and Grassington and take in the region's diverse delights, from castles and waterfalls to iconic mountains such as Whernside, Ingleborough and Pen Y Ghent.
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Walking in the Yorkshire Dales: South and West

Walking in the Yorkshire Dales: South and WestPart of a two-book set, this guidebook describes 44 walks in the southern and western Yorkshire Dales, including the famous 23 mile Three Peaks circuit over Pen-y-Ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough. The other, mostly circular routes of 3½ to 13 miles cover the scenic region between Sedbergh, Kirkby Lonsdale, Settle, Skipton and Grassington.
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