Turner Trail Walks
Walk 1: Semerwater.
A Circular walk, of around 9 miles starting and finishing in the ancient village of Bainbridge, a medieval hunting ground, and the site of a Roman Fort.
Ordnance Survey Map OL 30. Yorkshire Dales Northern & Central.
Enjoy looking round the village, and note Brough Hill, at the eastern end of the village, which is the site of Braccium, a Roman Fort.
Cross the bridge from where you can see the river Bain cascading down, pass a garage and then take the footpath on the right to Semerwater. Forward, going up hill to reach the brow of Bracken Hill and go forward parallel to the river. Continue over 3 stiles and then go down towards the riverbank. Forward once more, coming out at the triple arch Semerwater Bridge and Semerwater, the only natural lake in Wensleydale.
From the bridge turn right up the road to Countersett, climbing uphill, with a good view of the lake to the left. At the top of the village take the path signed “Hawes End” going up 2 fields, passing 2 arns then cross a stile and go onto the road. From here there are lovely views of Semerwater and Addleborough.
Turn right along the road for around 100yards, and then go through a stile on the right and forward, at a left angle, to come out onto the Roman Road. Turn left, and walk along this ancient highway for around 1 mile, enjoying the same journey Roman Soldiers, and later on drovers, taking their cattle and sheep, from Scotland to the towns of northern England made.
Turn left, over a stile with a sign marked Marsett. Go forward and climb up, and then down the hill to the village of Marsett and enjoy wonderful views of Raydale and Buckden Pike.
Walk beside Marsett Beck ,then continue along a walled lane to a footbridge over Raydale Beck to another footbridge over Cragdale Water. Walk along Busk Lane to the village of Stalling Busk.
Go left through the village and turn left at the sign for the ruined church. This church, was built in 1722, there are lovely views of Semerwater from the churchyard. Go forward, coming down to the edge of Semerwater, continuing along the edge of the lake until you reach a road.
Go forward, through the farmyard of Low Blean and cross the meadow to the next farm Low Force. Cross the Farm Track and go over the ladder stile. Beyond the farm follow the cart track up to the road.
Left up the road for around two thirds of a mile and turn left over a ladder stile bearing left to the far corner of a field beyond the brow of the hill joining the outgoing footpath back to Bainbridge. There are wonderful views off Wensleydale and the Roman Fort from here.
Walk 2: Hardraw Force.
A Circular walk, starting and finishing in Hawes. Around 4.5 miles.
Ordnance Survey Map OL 30. Yorkshire Dales Northern & Central.
Hardraw Force is the highest single drop waterfall in England. It was much admired by William Wordsworth and painted by J M Turner. The famous Hardraw Force Brass band contest is an annual even at Hardraw.
Start the walk from the Yorkshire Dales National Park Centre in Hawes. Walk out of the car park, and turn right, onto Brunt Acres Road. Pass the business park on your left, and go through a gate on the left, signed “Pennine Way”. Follow the flagged footpath across a large meadow to go through a kissing gate and carefully cross Haylands Bridge, a little further on go through the gate on the right signed for Sedbusk.
The path angles right, and crosses a footbridge and then climbs to a gated stile. Coming out onto a road by Stone House. Carefully cross the road and go through the stile on the other side. Go forward to the crown of a small hill and a gated stile and then descend to a ladder stile and climb once more to the right of a barn and then to the left of a wall, coming out onto Sedbusk Lane, turn right along the lane and then almost immediately left Look for a stile signed Simonstone.
Over the stile look for a stile in the left hand corner of the narrow field you are now in. Turn left through the stile and then go forward over a number of narrow meadows, going through stiles and field gates. After two ladder stiles the path turns into a farm track and comes out on a road, opposite Nova Farm. Turn left for a few yards, then right into the driveway of Simonstone Hall, which is a hotel and restaurant. Follow the signs, which take you down the meadows, to the village of Hardraw. To visit Hardraw Force, go to The Green Dragon Pub, where you must first pay a fee. Please note this is the only way to visit Hardraw Force – there is not a footpath through the churchyard!
From the Green Dragon cross the road and go in between the buildings following the signs which take you back to Hawes.
Walk 3. Hawes, Hardraw, Mossdale, Appersett, Gayle, Hawes.
Distance around 10 miles.
Ordnance Survey Map OL 30. Yorkshire Dales Northern & Central. & Ordnance Survey Map
OL 19. Howgill Fells and Upper Eden Valley
This is a lovely walk, offering outstanding views of Upper Wensleydale, visiting two of the scenes which Turner painted. Hardraw Force and Mossdale Falls.
Starting from the Yorkshire Dales National Park Car Park in Hawes.
Coming out of the car park turn right onto Brunt Acres Road, passing a small business park which will be on your left. Go through the gate on the left marked “Pennine Way” and follow the flagged path to come out onto the road once more. Cross Haylands Bridge and go through a gate on your left and over several meadows to Hardraw. If you wish to visit Hardraw Force, the only access is through the Green Dragon Inn, there is a small fee payable to the landlord.
Coming out of the Inn turn right, and walk through the village until you see a sign on the right “Pennine Way and Cotterdale” .Take this good lane, which later becomes a track going uphill, until you come to another sign on the left marked Cotterdale. The way to Cotterdale is clearly marked, and the views down into the valley are splendid.
When you come into the village turn left on the metalled lane and walk for around half a mile, until you see a sign on the right for Thwaite Bridge the way over is a bit rugged, but the National Park wardens have made a good job placing way markers all the way to Thwaite Bridge and the A684.
Carefully cross the road to a marker on the other side “Mossdale and Appersett”. Again follow the clearly defined markers which take you round the farm of Fall Rigg. You can now see the viaduct and the falls of Mossdale. Come off the footpath, just before the farm buildings and go through the gate on your right, and under the viaduct to get a closer look at Mossdale Falls. (Good spot for lunch!). Retrace your steps, coming through the gate and turning right; to go through the farmyard, between the white buildings, being careful to follow the way marked signs for Appersett.
The way is easy, following the line of the infant river Ure for some time passing to the right of Birkrigg Farm and continuing forward to join the A684 at Appersett.
Turn right and go over the bridge of Widdale Beck, and then take the “No Through Road” on your right. This quiet lane takes you passed Appersett viaduct, a wonderfully preserved relic of the grand age of the railway. Continue on the lane to Thorney Mire House. And where the road turns sharp right, turn left onto a footpath which takes you onto the B6255 just outside of Gayle. Cross the road and take the footpath ahead, which leads to Gayle. Walk down the road passing the Wensleydale Creamery, where the famous Wensleydale Cheese is made, or the Pennine Way footpath, back to Hawes and the start of the walk.
Walk 4. Aysgarth Falls & West Burton
A Circular Walk starting in Aysgarth, going to Aysgarth Falls, West Burton Falls, and back to Aysgarth. Around 5 miles.
A lovely walk, taking in two of Turners scenes where he painted, Aysgarth Falls and West Burton Falls.
Ordnance Survey Map OL 30. Yorkshire Dales Northern & Central.
Start the walk in the village of Aysgarth, by the bus shelter. With your back to the shelter walk down the lane, passing the Methodist Chapel. Go to the end of the lane and go through a stile on the right, just passed Field House. Go diagonally right, and through another stile, coming onto a walled lane, forward, and then forward over meadows, going through several gap stiles, to come out onto a road. Carefully cross the road, and go through a stile and into Aysgarth Churchyard. Forward to the church entrance, then turn right, and walk up to the road, this time the A684. Carefully cross this and go through a stile on the opposite side. Go forward, downhill, over several meadows and through stiles until you come to a road.
Turn right along the road and go over the bridge spanning Bishopdale Beck. Immediately turn right, through a stile. Go diagonally left, on a well-worn path across a meadow, and when you come to a sharp bend in the stream turn left and walk forward over the meadow to a road. Carefully cross the road and go up some steps on the other side, following the footpath into West Burton. Turn right, to come to the village green and then go left, to the end of the green, and then right, to visit West Burton Falls.
After visiting the falls cross the packhorse bridge which goes over the stream and go up the footpath and then turn right, with a wall on your right. Forward through a stile and where the wall bears right go across the field to a stile. Turn left with a fence on your left and woodland on your right, eventually going through a gate and then another. Turn right up a lane and after about 200 yards go left, through a gate signed Temple Farm.
Go straight ahead with a wall on the left passing a barn, and then through a gateway and a series of gates and stiles, going through 5 fields in all. Then follow the signs for Temple Farm turning left onto the road, just before the farm.
Carefully walk down hill, and cross over Hestholme Bridge. Turn right, onto the farm track of Hestholme Farm, and then immediately left. Over a stile and forward, following footpath signs, with the river Ure and Aysgarth Falls to your right.
When you come to Aysgarth Church, take the right hand footpath after the church, going down the steps of Aysgarth Mill. Cross the bridge at the bottom of the steps, and turn left to visit the Upper Falls. Retrace your steps to the bridge, and go through the Yorkshire Dales National Park car park, to visit the Middle and Lower falls.
Come back over the bridge, up the steps and through the churchyard, to retrace your footsteps back to Aysgarth.
Walk 5. Leyburn, Castle Bolton. Aysgarth, West Burton, Aysgarth
Ordnance Survey Map OL 30. Yorkshire Dales Northern & Central.
A lovely linear walk! Discovering quite a few of Turners painting places!
Starting from Leyburn Market Place.
1. Cross over the zebra crossing to the H.S.B.C. bank. Turn left and then right, passing Campbell’s grocery store and going straight on, up Shawl Terrace and onto the Shawl. Walk the length of the Shaw.
2. Go through the kissing gate at the end, on your left and then diagonally right over the meadows. Forward over the last meadow, aiming for the trees in the distance. Go through a gate in the left hand corner. Then left on the lane, then immediate right into the wood, following the yellow direction signs and repeatedly crossing the stream. Over a wall stile, and then forward over a meadow, to go through a gate and onto a lane and then walking through the village of Preston under Scar.
3. At the end of the village carry on, walking passed 3 bungalows on your right, forward, passing Preston Springs house on your right. Go through the wood and over the meadows eventually coming out onto a road. Turn left and carefully walk down the road to the junction. Turn right and almost immediately right, onto a track. Follow this to its end, coming out onto the Reeth/Redmire Road.
4. Turn left and then at a footpath sign on the right turn right, crossing the footbridge over Apedale beck and following the footpath to Bolton Castle, in the village turn left and walk up to the castle.
5. After the car park follow the signs on the left for Aysgarth, eventually coming out in Carperby village. Look for the footpath opposite The Wheatsheaf Inn and follow the signs, over meadows, always bearing right, to come out at Freeholders Wood and Aysgarth Falls.
6. After admiring the lower and middle falls, go to the Y.D.N.P. visitor centre, and then over the car park, and across the bridge, and up the steps by the old mill. Forward through the churchyard and then cross over the road and through a stile and go downhill, through a series of stiles, to come to the road. Go over the bridge and turn right, onto a footpath which goes over fields, eventually coming out onto another road. Cross the road and go up the steps, and into West Burton.
7. To visit the falls turn left on the village green and right at the end of the village, passing an old mill to visit West Burton falls , which were painted by Turner and then take the footpath over the little bridge and up the hill turning left, and following the signs for Temple Farm . On reaching the road carefully turn left walking down the road, and over a bridge, and then take the footpath on the right, at Hestholme farm, which takes you on the opposite side of Aysgarth falls.
8. Follow this footpath through the churchyard, and straight on, crossing a road, and then through a series of wall stiles, which eventually take you back into Aysgarth village, to catch the bus back to Leyburn.
Walk 6. Redmire and Bolton Castle
A Circular Walk starting in Redmire, visiting Bolton Castle and returning to Redmire.
Around 4.5 miles.
Ordnance Survey Map OL 30. Yorkshire Dales Northern & Central.
1. Walk up the Reeth Road in Redmire, and turn left., after going under the Railway Bridge and go over the footbridge of Apedale Beck. Go forward, walking to the right of the railway track bed. Turn right, and go up the fields towards the village of Castle Bolton, passing a roofless old barn, with a tree growing out off the middle! After passing a rusty tin barn, keep going forward, diagonally right, until you come to a farm track, where you turn left, to come out into the village, just by the castle.
2. After visiting Bolton Castle retrace your steps to the east end of the village, and take the path you came up on, but instead of bearing left, go forward straight down the fields to the road. Turn left and carefully walk back to Redmire. When you come to a right turn, signed to the church, take the right turn and go down Mill Lane to the end. Turn left by Mill Farm, over a stile and walk high above the river Ure.
3. Turn left at the end of the footpath, and follow the path up Well Lane turning right at the top to visit Redmire Church.
4. Carry on passed the church, looking for a stile on your left. Go over several meadows, passing through wall stiles to come out into Redmire village, just passed Rook Cottage.