Walks in the Swaledale area of the Yorkshire Dales
Classic walks in the Swaledale area of the Yorkshire Dales can be found on this page. All content is free to download including map, GPS route and statistics
Swaledale is a narrow valley with enclosed meadows and fell side fields. Famous for its own breed of sheep it is probably the most rugged of all the Yorkshire Dales. Being in the far north of the national park it is one of the most remote. White stone walls on the glacier-formed valley sides, and darker moorland are typical throughout the dale. The upper parts of the dale are particularly striking because of its large old limestone field barns and its profusion of wild flowers. Occasionally visible from the valley bottom road are the slowly fading fell side hushes (open landslip scars) of the 18th and 19th century lead mining industry. Ruined stone mine buildings remain, taking on the same colours as the landscape into which they are crumbling. Swaledale is home to many small but beautiful waterfalls, such as Richmond Falls, Kisdon Force and Catrake Force, many on the reaches of the river near Keld. You will find walks in Swaledale and in surrounding dales on this page.
Interactive map of Yorkshire Dales walks
| Walk | Miles | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Aysgarth Falls | 2.2 | One of the Yorkshire Dales premier family walks to the most breathtaking series of waterfalls. |
| Keld & the River Swale Waterfalls | 2.5 | This walk centered on Keld in Upper Swaledale is a delight for waterfall lovers. There are four to see. |
| Richmond, Hudswell Woods and River Swale | 3.0 | A delightful short walk from the centre of Richmond to woodland, open countryside and riverside. |
| Mill Gill Force from Askrigg | 3.1 | A real little gem of a walk to some fantastic waterfalls. A splendid walk for a Sunday Morning. |
| Muker and Thwaite | 3.3 | A delightful walk to two of the prettiest and most popular villages in Upper Swaledale. |
| Reeth, Grinton and Low Fremington | 3.7 | A family orientated short walk from Reeth with sublime views of beautiful mid Swaledale to enjoy. |
| West Burton and Aysgarth Falls | 5.0 | A perfect family walk. Pity when we did it we walked in the worse weather of the year! |
| Leyburn Shawl, Tullis Cote and Wensley Park | 5.4 | A walk centered on Leyburn and which explores the beautiful Yorkshire Dales countryside west of the town. |
| Keld, Crackpot Hall, Swinner Gill and Kisdon Side | 5.7 | A walk of contrasts in Upper Swaledale from Keld to Ramps Holme Bridge and back. |
| Middleham, Low Moor, Tupgill Park, Coverham and Coverdale | 5.8 | Walk in history exploring the childhood places of Richard III and then find a forbidden corner near Coverdale. |
| Outhgill, High Seat, Gregory Chapel and Hugh Seat | 6.0 | A ridge walk is achieved by a steep ascent that requires careful navigation. |
| Reeth, Grinton Bridge, Marrick Priory, Marrick and Fremington Edge | 6.6 | A Swaledale walk from Reeth which follows the valley to Marrick Priory before returning by upland and moor. |
| Reeth, River Swale, Maiden Castle, High Harker Hill and Grinton Lodge | 7.2 | A Swaledale walk of riverside and moor with a visit to two iron age hill forts. |
| Romans, Raydale and Semer Water from Bainbridge | 8.3 | Begin by walking back in time over 2,000 years with the romans before visiting Raydale and Semer Water. |
| East Witton, Ellingstring, Jervaulx Abbey and Cover Bridge | 9.1 | An invigorating Wensleydale walk with Jervaulx Abbey and the River Ure being particularly pleasing. |
| Reeth, Fremington Edge, Langthwaite in Arkengarthdale, Calver Hill and River Swale | 9.3 | A fascinating walk in one of the most beautiful but lesser known Yorkshire Dales. |
| Gunnerside Gill & Swinner Gill | 9.4 | Up Gunnerside Gill, across moor and down Swinner Gill, make for a fantastic round trip. |
| West Witton, Penhill, Templar's Chapel & Redmire Force | 10.2 | Lower Wensleydale is the setting for this varied day of delights which begins in West Witton. |
| Gayle, Dodd Fell Hill, Drumaldrace and Wether Fell | 10.3 | A fantastic high level horseshoe walk from the poplular town of Hawes in Wensleydale. |
| Gunnerside, Old Gang Mills, Surrender Bridge and Swaledale | 10.9 | A walk of contrasts, first exploring lead mining heritage and then across flower meadows to a riverside walk. |
| Thornton Rust, Addleborough, Askrigg, Mill Gill and Ellerkin Scar | 12.6 | A very interesting walk in Wensleydale to a hill with history, a super waterfall and to a limestone scar. |
| Wild Boar Fell and Uldale | 13.1 | A challenging fell walk to Wild Boar Fell followed by a scramblers adventure to secluded waterfalls. |
| Great Shunner Fell, Buttertubs and Lovely Seat | 13.9 | A remote and airy walk from Sedbusk via Hardraw to Great Shunner Fell, Buttertubs and Lovely Seat. |
| Dent to Hawes (Linear) | 14.4 | A lovely walk which follows parts of the Dales Way and Pennine Way. (From my Dales Celebration Way) |
| Hardraw Force, Great Shunner Fell and River Swale (Linear) | 20.7 | From Hawes to Hardraw Force and over Great Shunner Fell into Swaledale. (From my Dales Celebration Way) |
| Richmond to Reeth (Linear) | 10.1 | Follow my walk on stage five of my Coast to Coast walk in 1994. |
| Reeth to Keld (Linear) | 11.7 | Follow my walk on stage six of my Coast to Coast walk in 1994. |
| Keld to Grinton Lodge (Linear) | 12.2 | Follow my walk on stage seven of my Coast to Coast walk in 1999. |
| Grinton Lodge to Catterick Bridge (Linear) | 14.0 | Follow my walk on stage eight of my Coast to Coast walk in 1999. |
Feedback and Suggestions:
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(Note: Walking without proper preparation can be dangerous. Information and downloads on this website are provided free of charge; it is each walker's responsibility to check the material and use accordingly. Postscript: My walk reports are not route guides and should not be treated as such. They are written with personal reflections of my walks)
