Nidderdale AONB Visitor Centre

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Walking

There are 820 km of public footpaths and bridleways in the AONB. From long distance routes to easy strolls there is something to suit everyone's ability and interest.

Why not download and follow one of the suggested walk leaflets below to discover some of the special qualities of the area. Each leaflet is designed to be used alongside the relevant Ordnance Survey map.

AONB Walk Leaflets

Hartwith Heritage Walk (PDF 347KB) Nearest Village: Summerbridge Walk Length: 7 miles Difficulty: Moderate This walk traces the agricultural and industrial heritage of Hartwith Parish including iron age circles, a monk's wall and an old pack horse route.
Dacre Walls Walk (PDF 454KB) Nearest Village: Dacre Walk Length: 5.5 miles Difficulty: Moderate This 5.5-mile route takes you through the ancient enclosures in Dacre Parish where you will discover the area's history written in stone. Stone in some of the walls is thought to be the result of prehistoric field clearance.
Bewerley Industrial Heritage Trail (PDF 230KB) Nearest Village: Greenhow, above Pateley Bridge Walk Length: 9 miles Difficulty: Strenuous Explore almost a thousand years of lead mining history on this walk through stunning scenery. The route passes by a hand-cut level, the remains of old smelt mills and a unique 19th Century lime kiln.
Masham Leaves Walk (PDF 1,122KB) Nearest Town: Masham Walk Length: 3 miles Difficulty: Easy A circular walk around a sculpture trail with works by Alan Ayres, supported by Common Ground. Starting from Masham town centre this delightful walk meanders through pastures and woodlands alongside the Rivers Ure and Burn.
Crackpots Mosaic Trail (PDF 1,001KB) Nearest Village: Kirkby Malzeard Walk Length: 6.5 miles Difficulty: Moderate A route waymarked by mosaic panels created by villagers from nearby Kirkby Malzeard. The walk goes over open moorland with great views over the Vale of York in the east, and through hidden valleys with mixtures of deciduous and coniferous wodland.
Sawley Circular Walk (PDF 293KB) Nearest Village: Sawley Walk Length: 3 miles or 5.5 miles Difficulty: Moderate This walk is perfect for exploring the eastern edge of the AONB. Starting and finishing in the picturesque village of Sawley, the route includes a number of historically interesting features, including Fountains Abbey.
Black Swan Pub Walk (PDF 136KB) Nearest Village: Fearby, near Masham Walk Length: 3 miles or 8 miles Difficulty: Moderate Starting and finishing at the Black Swan Inn this walk allows you to explore Colsterdale, a remote and unspoilt valley in the north western corner of the AONB.
Thruscross Pub Walk (PDF 4,357KB) Nearest Village: Between Greenhow & Blubberhouses Walk Length: 5.5 miles Difficulty: Moderate Starting and finishing at the Stone House Inn this walk affords superb views of Thruscross reservoir constructed in the 1960's. When water levels are low, you can very occasionally see the remains of the flooded landscape, complete with farmsteads and village church.
Kirkby Malzeard Pub Walk (PDF1,309KB) Nearest Village: Kirkby Malzeard Walk Length: 4 miles Difficulty: Moderate Starting and finishing at the Henry Jenkins Inn this 4-mile walk takes in the site of a 12th Century castle, and St Andrew's Church which was built around 1150.
Jervaulx Circular Walk (PDF 116KB) Nearest Town: Masham Walk Length: 7.5 miles Difficulty: Moderate This stunning walk starts and ends at the fascinating ruins of Jervaulx Abbey. It takes you through stunning parkland, over lush pasture fields and through the historic village of Thornton Steward.
Fewston to Otley (PDF 59KB) Nearest Village: Blubberhouses/Otley Walk Length: 8.5 miles Difficulty: Moderate This is a very pleasant linear walk which takes in two reservoirs, Swinsty and Lindley Wood, and follows the River Washburn down the Washburn Valley through pasture and woodland, to the town of Otley.
Pateley Bridge Circular (PDF 109.5KB) Nearest Town: Pateley Bridge Walk Length: 6 miles Difficulty: Moderate Starting from the pretty market town of Pateley Bridge this varied walk passes through Brimham Rocks amazing geological formations approximately 320 million years old before dropping down into Low Laithe. The route passes through woodland and rolling fields, providing delightful views across the valley.

Long Distance Walks

Nidderdale Way
The Nidderdale Way is a 53-mile circular walk starting and finishing in Pateley Bridge. The route follows well used public footpaths, bridleways and roads and has its own unique symbol, which you will see on some finger posts and waymarks along the way.

Six Dales Trail
Launched in June 2010, this 38 mile route passes through the entire length of the AONB from Otley in Wharfedale, northward to Middleham in Wensleydale. It crosses the five watersheds seperating the six dales that give the trail its name - from Wharfedale to Washburndale, then into Nidderdale, Colsterdale, Coverdale and Wensleydale. Further details can be found at http://www.waw-otley.org.uk/Site/Six_Dales_Trail_homepage

Photo by Eric Moss: Gouthwaite Reservoir

Reservoir Walks

Yorkshire Water Reservoir Walks - Yorkshire Water have developed a series of circular walks around many of the reservoirs in the AONB. For more information on these please visit the Yorkshire Water website.