Short walks in Nidderdale
With its diverse mixture of moorland, reservoirs, woods and hay meadows (not to mention walker-friendly villages, pubs and guest houses), Upper Nidderdale is a wonderful destination for both the keen and occasional walker.
These nine walks offer a glimpse of Upper Nidderdale’s mining past, lead walkers through the pleasure gardens which delighted Victorian visitors, and into areas of the dale containing nationally important sites of flora and fauna.
The audio guides offer the opportunity to follow audio directions for the walk. Download the zipped folder either directly to your device or to a computer. Extract the files and save these to a location on your device (or upload to your device). Many thanks to Jerry Harvey and Joyce Liggins for kindly narrating these walks.
Walk 1 – Fishpond Wood
Along this route you can take a walk through the historic village of Bewerley and enjoy the serenity of Fishpond Wood.
Nearest village: Bewerley. Length: 2 miles (3km). Time (approx): 1-1.5 hours. Difficulty: easy / moderate.
A4 Route guide: Download here
You can find a shorter audio walk through the wood, guided by owner Dr Peter Brambleby, here
Walk 2 – Ladies Riggs and Ashfoldside
Along this route you will walk through the abandoned industrial landscape around Prosperous Smelt Mill, enjoy the secluded beauty of Ashfoldside Beck and take in the atmospheric Ladies Riggs and Bale Bank.
Nearest town: Pateley Bridge. Length: 5.5 miles (8.8km). Time (approx): 2-3 hours. Difficulty: moderate.
A4 Route guide: Download here / Audio route guide: Download here
Walk 3 – Nought Moor
Along this route you can enjoy a range of different settings, from the quiet serenity of the woods at Middle Tongue Bank to the heather moorland and blanket bog of Nought Moor, and take in spectacular views across Guisecliffe and Yorke’s Folly.
Nearest village: Bewerley. Length: 4.7 miles (7.5km). Time (approx): 2-3 hours. Difficulty: moderate.
A4 Route guide: Download here / Audio route guide: Download here
Walk 4 – Scar House Reservoir
This route enables you to enjoy the remote beauty of Scar House and Angram reservoirs, appreciate the labours of the men and women who lived and worked here during the reservoir’s construction, and see how innovative approaches to farming are helping vulnerable species and habitats to thrive.
Nearest village: Lofthouse / Middlesmoor. Length: 4.3 miles (7km). Time (approx): 2-3 hours. Difficulty: moderate.
A4 Route guide: Download here
Walk 5 – Scot Gate Ash
Along this route you can enjoy spectacular views across Nidderdale, take a short detour to the ruins of the 14th century St Mary’s Church, stroll up Pateley Bridge’s historic High Street and view the atmospheric remains of Scotgate Ash Quarry.
Nearest town: Pateley Bridge. Length: 4 miles (6.4km). Time (approx): 2-3 hours. Difficulty: moderate.
A4 Route guide: Download here
Walk 6 – Stean
Along this route you will enjoy the tranquillity and natural beauty of Cliff Woods, see dramatic limestone rocks and cliffs in How Stean Gorge and walk through traditional hay meadows on Low Riggs Farm.
Nearest village: Lofthouse / Middlesmoor. Length: 4.5 miles (7.3km). Time (approx): 2-3 hours. Difficulty: moderate.
A4 Route guide: Download here / Audio route guide: Download here
Walk 7 – Toft Gate
Along this route you will experience a range of different settings, from the industrial heritage of Toft Gate Lime Kiln to Coldstones Cut, a monumental piece of public art with spectacular views, and hear the calls of upland birds on the high pastures of Toft Gate Farm.
Nearest village: Greenhow / Pateley Bridge. Length: 5.5 miles (8.8km). Time (approx): 2-2.5 hours. Difficulty: moderate.
A4 Route guide: Download here / Audio route guide: Download here
Walk 8 – Wath
Along this route you can enjoy a range of different settings, from the wetlands of Nidd Marsh to the tranquillity of Spring Wood Top, take in serene views across Gouthwaite Reservoir nature reserve and see historic buildings such as the 19th century Dutch hay barn at Spring Wood Top farm.
Nearest village: Wath / Pateley Bridge. Length: 1.5 miles (2.4km). Time (approx): 1-2 hours. Difficulty: easy.
A4 Route guide: Download here
Walk 9 – Woodale
This route enables you to enjoy spectacular panoramic views of Scar House Reservoir, Great Whernside and the Upper Nidderdale moorlands, and walk along the Nidd’s unique dry river bed as the watercourse disappears into limestone caverns deep underground before re-surfacing downstream.
Nearest village: Lofthouse / Middlesmoor. Length: 6.5 miles (10km). Time (approx): 3-4 hours. Difficulty: moderate / hard.
A4 Route guide: Download here / Audio route guide: Download here