Ed
25 September 2015
This lovely walk is from John Kelly, otherwise known as the Happy Hiker. Taking in the pretty villages of Burnsall and Grassington, it's a picturesque trail for a relaxed, relatively easy walk while on holiday.
This is a really easy and popular walk following the River Wharfe and returning through some lovely Dales scenery. There are various cafes and pubs in Grassington where refreshments can be obtained. You may not need a map with this route, however, one should always be carried.
Start the walk in the Dales village of Burnsall. There is a car park, although on quiet days it is possible to park on the main street by the river where there are benches to sit and feed the ducks or put on boots.
Pick out a gorgeous holiday cottage in Grassington so you can enjoy this scenic walk through the Yorkshire Dales from your doorstep:
Stay in Grassington
Begin this Yorkshire walk in Burnsall
Go to the river and turn left to the stone bridge. Follow the footpath beyond the bridge along the left-hand side of the river. You will soon pass through a dramatic limestone “gorge” (SE 030618).
Follow the river until you reach the suspension bridge below Hebden (SE 026624). Cross over it carefully as it is narrow and has low sides. Once over the river, turn left and continue to follow the river. As the path meets a sharp bend in the river, across the river you will see the picturesque Linton Church. There are some stepping stones across the river should you wish to inspect the church more closely but only attempt this at very low river levels. If you go across, return after seeing the church.
Passing the waterfalls
The footpath now turns right (north) away from the river for a short distance, passing a fish farm. Just beyond here, a finger-post points left and takes you back to the river again. Follow the riverside path until you come to the footbridge at Linton where it is worth stopping to inspect Linton Falls (SE 001633). Especially after heavy rain, these can be very dramatic.
Turn right at the bridge and follow the narrow, walled footpath. At the road turn left into Grassington then right towards the market square. At the top of the market square, take the left road (Main Street) and walk up the hill. As you reach the village hall, turn right on to Garrs Lane with the triangle of land used for parking on your right. Shortly beyond here, fork left on to High Lane. High Lane becomes a stony walled track and Hebden is signed. Take this route.
Heading towards Hebden
It is now a case of following this track until it runs out and becomes a footpath. Continue straight ahead following the obvious track to Hebden. You will pass through Grassington Park Estate Meadows where a notice board explains about the site being designated of Special Scientific Interest and the site of the former Grassington Hospital. Through the trees across a driveway and over the stone flags across the fields, the route passes through some more trees and continues to Hebden. The route is easy to follow and is more or less straight ahead all the way.
You arrive at the road close to a bus depot and more or less opposite the car park for the Clarendon Hotel (SE 024631). Turn left.
Just past the Clarendon Hotel itself, take the road on the right. Walk past the post office on the right and the old school on the left. Just past the old school in the wall on the left is an iron kissing gate. Go through this.
Returning to Burnsall
Walk down to the beck and turn right to follow the footpath alongside it. You will pass to the right of the start of the fish farm but then pass just to the left of the main fish farm buildings. This part of the path is a narrow footpath indicated by a finger post and you do not want the broad track on the left.
The footpath comes out on the road at a cluster of houses. Turn right and a few yards later turn left at the finger post down to Hebden Suspension Bridge which you crossed on the outward journey. Cross the bridge and turn left to return to Burnsall.
Most of John’s walking is in the Yorkshire area, especially the Dales because its close to home, but he also loves The North Yorkshire Moors. You can read and download more of John’s walks from his website thehappyhiker.co.uk
Disclaimer: Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information at the time of writing,
please ensure you check carefully before making any decisions based on the contents within this article.