Independent Trails: Fact File.HERRW
Following moorland tracks, meadow and riverside paths, the Herriot Way explores the northern Yorkshire Dales of Swaledale and Wensleydale. Gradients and terrain are generally fairly easy, but the paths may be muddy underfoot in wet weather. There are also many 'squeeze stiles' and 'kissing gates' to negotiate. The final day includes an ascent of the fine viewpoint of Great Shunner Fell.
Total
distance: 52 miles (83km)
Duration:
5 nights, 4 days walking
Minimum/maximum
daily distances: 13 miles (21km)/13 miles (21km)
Season:
All year
Starting
point of holiday: Hawes
End
of holiday: Hawes
Code:
HERRW
Day 1: Travel to Hawes where your first night's accommodation has been booked. Either explore the charming little market town of Hawes or follow one of the short walks provided to Gayle, Burtersett and the waterfall at Aysgill Force.
Day 2: Hawes to Aysgarth. 13 miles (21km). The day begins with a visit to Hardraw Force, England's highest waterfall; then leads down Wensleydale to the village of Askrigg, before following the River Ure to Aysgarth. Askrigg is a fascinating place, seeming of another age to the 'typical' Dales village. Originally a market town and famous clockmaking centre, Askrigg gave way to Hawes as the centre for upper Wensleydale. The heart of the village still recalls those days; three-storeyed houses line the main street and 15th century St. Oswald's church overlooks the market cross of 1830, with its bull-ring set in the cobbles.
Day 3: Aysgarth to Reeth. 13 miles (21km). After visiting the famous Aysgarth Falls, the route leads past Carperby, where Herriot spent his honeymoon at the Wheatsheaf Hotel, to the massive ruin of Bolton Castle, where Herriot proposed marriage. An old lead miners track is taken over East Bolton Moor, which provides some glorious views across Swaledale, before descending through Grinton, an attractive village of snug stone cottages, an ancient inn and St. Andrew's church, the 'Cathedral of the Dales', to the delightful village of Reeth, the 'capital of Swaledale'.
Day 4: Reeth to Keld. 13 miles (21km). From Reeth the Herriot Way heads upstream besides the River Swale to Healaugh. After passing through the village an old miners' track is taken over the heather moors above Swaledale, past the ruins of smelt mills, peat stores and crushing mills - the relics of a long-deceased lead mining industry - before descending through the dramatic ravine of Swinner Gill to the tranquil hamlet of Keld at the head of Swaledale.
Day 5: Keld to Hawes. 13 miles (21km). The final day follows the Pennine Way around Kisdon Hill to the village of Thwaite, before returning to Hawes over Great Shunner Fell with its far-reaching views over Wensleydale and Swaledale.
Day 6: Another chance to explore Hawes before departure.
Travel Information
Detailed instructions on how to get to the start of the holiday and back from the end of it are sent to you on booking. A summary is given below.
Most convenient major city and International airport: Manchester Airport. 3 hours to Garsdale Railway Station via Leeds.
Outward journey from London to Hawes: Train from London King's Cross to Leeds, then change trains for Garsdale (4 hours). The first night's accommodation in Hawes is a short (6 miles) bus or taxi ride from Garsdale station.
Return journey to London at the end of the holiday: Taxi or bus from Hawes to Garsdale Railway Station. Train to London King's Cross (change trains at Leeds).