This a pleasant walk in Wensleydale that allows you to enjoy this beautiful part of the Yorkshire Dales National Park. The highlights of the walk include the River Ure, Redmire Force and the Chapel of the Kinights Templar.
Calculated time: 3h25[?] 
Distance : 6.52mi
Vertical gain : 449ft
Vertical drop : 453ft
Highest point : 866ft
Lowest point : 377ft 
Difficulty : Average
Back to starting point : Yes
Walking
Area : Yorkshire Dales 
Location : West Witton
Starting point : N 54.291419° / W 1.904223° (D/A) The start is the small parking area at the eastern end of West Witton at grid ref. SE063884 where you can park on a wide verge. Luckily this is adjacent to the first section of the route. After parking take the adjacent walled lane heading north from the A684. At the first fork bear right and continuing along the lane as it winds downhill towards the River Ure. The walled lane ends and you enter a field. Keep close to the left-hand wall and continue to the river.
(1) The next section of the route follows the River Ure upstream. The onward path leaves the river and with a wall on your right cross a stile and walk to the corner of the next field where another stile will be found. Cross this stile and following a clear path through trees you soon reach Redmire Force. After Redmire Force the path climbs away from the river and leaves the woodland. Continuing to follow the path across a number of fields you reach Stony Scoop Lane (grid ref. SE031895). Turn left along this partially enclosed track and follow it to reach the A684.
(2) With care turn left along the main road. Just before Temple Farm take the stile on the right and join the farm track that leads south across a field to reach a wood. The track then climbs through trees with a stile on the left allowing access to the remains of the Chapel of the Knights Templar. You may be impressed or not but the remains which include some graves date from the early thirteenth century.
(3) To continue, walk to the top of the field following an indistinct track. Continuing into the next field you reach a concrete track. Continue uphill on along this track until it bends right. Here leave the concrete track and walk uphill to a gate in a wall. Turning east, cross the next field to a further gate and another field. Keep the wall on your immediate right and you will soon locate a stile. This provides access to the walled Langthwaite Lane.
(4) Walk east along this lane with Nossill Scars and the flanks of Penhill above to your right. After three quarters of a mile the walled lane exits onto a tarmac lane (grid ref. SE053882). Walk straight ahead and continue to the A684. Turn right along the main road and walk through the village back to the start (D/A).
Waypoints :
D/A : mi 0 - alt. 584ft
1 : mi 0.76 - alt. 404ft - Follow the River Ure upstream
2 : mi 4.06 - alt. 515ft - A684, turn left
3 : mi 4.63 - alt. 741ft - Chapel of the Knights Templar
4 : mi 5.1 - alt. 866ft - Walk east
D/A : mi 6.52 - alt. 581ft
This walk includes one of the longest sections of footpath beside the River Ure in Wensleydale with a visit to Redmire Force an added bonus. Route finding is generally easy although some care is needed with navigation. The latter half of the walk includes the opportunity to see the Chapel of the Knights Templar which, for some, is somewhat disappointing.
Visorando and this author cannot be held responsible in the case of accidents or problems occuring on this walk.
Global average : 4.39/5
Number of opinions : 6
Description quality : 4.17/5
Routemap quality : 4.5/5
Walk interest : 4.5/5
Global average : 5 / 5
Date of walk
: 15/04/21
Description quality
: Very good
Routemap quality
: Very good
Walk interest
: Very good
Stunning scenery! The beginning of the walk was a little confusing as it stated that the path was adjacent to the parking area. This is not the case, you have to walk approximately 50 meters down the road before you reach the path on the opposite side of the road. Some of the paths across the fields are also a little indistinguishable. Apart from the minor issues, this is a fantastic walk.
Global average : 4 / 5
Date of walk
: 31/03/21
Description quality
: Good
Routemap quality
: Good
Walk interest
: Good
The "Bull in Field" sign is still there but no sign of the bull. We were turned back at Stony Scoop Lane by one of the occupants of the nearby houses and directed across the field to the main road. This added quite a bit to the walk and was pretty irritating as there is a clear public footpath sign at the top of the lane.
The route to the temple past the farm is currently sloppy ankle deep mud for about 15 metres then uphill through a stream. The views from the top were worth it, though!
Global average : 4.67 / 5
Date of walk
: 10/11/20
Description quality
: Good
Routemap quality
: Very good
Walk interest
: Very good
Beautiful autumn walk. Took longer than suggested because I had to stop and take photos - a very picturesque river and waterfall. As previously mentioned there were two 'bull in field' notices which we ignored. Both fields contained sheep, thankfully.
Global average : 4.67 / 5
Date of walk
: 07/11/20
Description quality
: Good
Routemap quality
: Very good
Walk interest
: Very good
Great walk
Global average : 4 / 5
Date of walk
: 08/09/20
Description quality
: Good
Routemap quality
: Good
Walk interest
: Good
Became slightly confused on the first section at end of lane down to river, farmer had put a bull in field sign and not sure if we should go into the field.
The river was in full flow and great to watch all other directions OK
Global average : 4 / 5
Date of walk
: 14/08/20
Description quality
: Good
Routemap quality
: Good
Walk interest
: Good
Instructions generally good, although we went on the wrong track from Redmire Force to the main road.
5.15mi
+673ft
-692ft
2h55
Average
Starting point in Burton-cum-Walden - North Yorkshire This is a circular walk from the lovely village of West Burton. The start has all the uphill and can be steep but the steep part is short lived. The views are great and there is some interest on the way around with the old lime kiln and the ruins of the Knights Templar chapel.
6.13mi
+751ft
-751ft
3h30
Average
Starting point in Aysgarth - North Yorkshire This Yorkshire Dales walk explores the pleasant countryside and moorland of Wensleydale. It starts from Aysgarth village and uses moorland paths and tracks for much of its route.
4.12mi
+833ft
-833ft
2h35
Easy
Starting point in Grinton - North Yorkshire An easy circular walk from Grinton with lots of interest. The moors above Grinton have the remains of the lead mining industry and on this walk, you will see those remains plus a well preserved smelting mill and its flue which runs up the hillside. The area is now a grouse moor and you will pass shooting butts and feeding stations for the birds. Great refreshments in Grinton and also over the bridge in Fremington at the Dales Bike Centre.
6.16mi
+722ft
-722ft
3h30
Average
Starting point in Askrigg - North Yorkshire Wensleydale in the Yorksire Dales National Park offers some wonderful walking. This route takes in a stretch of the River Ure, passes historic Nappa Hall before traversing the slopes below Ellerkin Scar. The walk then visits Whitfield Gill Force before returning to Askrigg.
8.3mi
+1066ft
-1050ft
4h45
Average
Starting point in Melbecks - North Yorkshire A walk of two halves. The first part ascends gently on good tracks, passing the remains of the Old Gang Smelting Mill, before crossing the stream and crossing Melbecks Moor and passing the spoil heaps from the long ceased lead mining industry. The path descends via one of the 'hushes' to the Bunton Level above Gunnerside Gill. The return leg is on grassy paths which contour Brownsey Moor and pass through farmland, often following dry stone walls and passing working farms and traditional barns.
13.4mi
+1870ft
-1883ft
7h50
Average
Starting point in Melbecks - North Yorkshire A walk of two distinct halves.
The first part of the walk ascends gently along the side of Gunnerside Gill, to take in the remains of the abandoned lead mines. It crosses the moor to Swinner Gill mine where a short detour takes in a waterfall and cave. The walk then curves around towards the village of Keld.
The second part of the walk descends to the waterfalls and then through the gentle valley curving around into Swaledale where it passes through typical Yorkshire Dales farmland.
3.54mi
+246ft
-246ft
1h50
Easy
Starting point in Easby (North Yorkshire) - North Yorkshire A short circular walk along the banks of the River Swale with the chance to explore Easby Abbey, Richmond Castle and the lovely market town of Richmond.
Lots to see and do and you can make a short walk into a full day out. Great Ice cream parlour in the Old Railway Station for the return leg.
About 2 hours for the actual walking but longer if you are exploring.
6.63mi
+1831ft
-1811ft
4h40
Average
Starting point in Kettlewell with Starbotton - North Yorkshire This Yorkshire Dales walk has two ascents as you traverse the hills from Wharefdale to Littondale and back again. In complete contrast the final section is level walking following the Dales Way beside the River Wharfe.
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The GPS track and description are the property of the author.
