12½ Miles / 20km with 2,150ft / 660m Total Ascent
Nidderdale lies on the eastern edge of the Yorkshire Dales, the River Nidd rising on the wild slopes of Great Whernside far to the north-west of Pateley Bridge. The landscape of the lower dale is quite pastoral but still characterised by rugged natural features such as the weirdly sculpted rocks on Brimham Moor and the gritstone scar of Guise Cliff, both visited on this walk.
From Pateley Bridge we follow the Nidderdale Way by way of Blazefield and White Houses to Brimham Rocks. Carved by the elements over many centuries into a variety of strange shapes including the ‘Dancing Bear’ and ‘The Anvil’, Brimham Rocks occupy a commanding position overlooking Nidderdale. It’s then downhill to Summerbridge, where we cross the River Nidd and begin the longish climb to Heyshaw and rejoin the Nidderdale Way. We traverse Guise Cliff and then comes Yorke’s Folly. What this structure commemorates is open to speculation. Our good friend Professor Bewaldeth from the University of Snittlegarth postulates the Folly was erected in celebration of a primeval warlord who had a habit of marching his troops up and down hills to keep them fit. Others, including Dr Bente Kanin-Vakmester of the Wyre Piddle gymnasium, believe it to be all that’s left of a huge aqueduct built by a Yorkshire faction of the ancient Horveht race of Lakeland pygmies (see ‘Footprints’ January to June 1992) that spanned the dale in Pre-Cambrian times. The truth is, no-one really knows! We return to Pateley Bridge and sanity by way of Skrikes Wood and Sugar Hill.
10 Miles / 16km with 1200ft / 365m Total Ascent
Starting from Pateley Bridge we follow the River Nidd north to Wath then head in a south easterly direction to Ashfold Side via Heathfield and Highfield. Here we join the Nidderdale Way which we follow past the old lead mines and on to Hillend.
We then start to climb up past Coldstones Fold and Partridge Garth to the B6265 and continue up to the Coldstones Cut. This is a grand scale piece of public art from where we can view the working quarry. It is very impressive and is our high point of the day at 421m.
Our route then takes us east past Moor Houses, Haver Garth and into Fishpond Wood. From here we drop down Sugar Hill and back into Pateley Bridge.
9 Miles / 15km with 985ft / 300m Total Ascent
Circular walk starting and ending in Patley Bridge. Following the river Nidd westerly for 2 and a half miles leaving the Nidd at Low Laithe, passing Knox House to Smelthouses, where we join the Nidderdale Way. Passing High Wood Farm to reach Brimham Rocks.
This is the highest point in the area with great views of the surrounding area.
Good information boards are around the Site explaining how the milestone grit rocks formations have been formed.
We will have lunch at the rocks. There is a visitor center and toilets.
We then return passing High Pasture Farm, Mill House on to the Nidderdale Way, passing Blazefield, and on to the " Panoramic Walk" which leads down to the High Street.
Having a snack on the Coach is advisable as we will be having a later lunch.
6 Miles / 9.7km with 394ft / 120m Total Ascent
From the coach park, we will walk north along the River Nidd for about half a mile before branching off to Corn Close. From there, we walk alongside Foster Beck passing the residential caravans. At Spring House Farm, we join the Nidderdale Way northwards and climb gradually through the fields to Heathfield. From there, we walk to Spring Hill Farm where we take the steepish descent towards Wath and enjoy the fine views across the Nidd valley and towards the distant Gouthwaite Reservoir. At Wath we follow the level Nidderdale Way south eastwards back to Pateley Bridge.
