Askrigg to Muker in Swaledale

0.0km – Start facing both the cross and the church and BEAR RIGHT as you begin your walk on this road, following it to the end.

0.3km – BEAR RIGHT at the end of the road to enter the field at the gate following the footpath sign to Mill Gill Force.

0.5km – Continue through the gate and then BEAR RIGHT following the footpath sign to Mill Gill Force.

0.6km – BEAR LEFT to keep on the path and cross the bridge over the stream and through the gate on the opposite side.  TURN RIGHT after the gate to follow the path to the next gate and continue uphill.  Careful of tree roots as you follow the path between the creek and the stone wall.

1.0km – As you reach a couple steps and the path splits, take the gate on the left to continue STRAIGHT on the other side of the wall.  The wall will now be on your right as you continue up the hill in the field.

1.2km – BEAR LEFT to follow the stone wall across the top of the field keeping the stone wall on your right.

1.3km – Pass through the gate and continue STRAIGHT following the stone wall.

1.5km – Continue STRAIGHT as the stone wall turns.  A marked post will mark your way.

1.6km – Continue STRAIGHT through the opening in the stone wall to get to the road.  There is a road just to your left which you will take to continue STRAIGHT in the same direction you have been going.  Watch for vehicular traffic while walking along the road.

2.7km – Continue STRAIGHT on the road over the bridge and through the small hamlet of buildings.  Ignore the footpath signs pointing to the left.

2.8km – The road turns into a farmtrack at this point.  Follow it as it meanders for a little bit and then TURN LEFT at T-junction following the signpost for the footpath to Sedbusk.

3.0km – Continue STRAIGHT through the vehicle gate following the farmtrack through the field.

3.2km – BEAR RIGHT when you reach the signpost that points you in this direction as you head towards Sedbusk.  This will lead you to cut the corner of the field and then continue along the bottom keeping the stone wall on your left as you carry on at the bottom of the field passing through gates for the next kilometre.

4.4km – Continue STRAIGHT through the gate then BEAR RIGHT passing through the gate on the right signposted as “Permissive Footpath Avoiding Farmyard”.  Continue in the field by walking across the bottom of the field to the pedestrian gate in the stone wall ahead.  Continue through the gate and over the small footbridge and through the gate on the opposite side of the stream.

5.0km – Continue STRAIGHT by passing through the gate on your right keeping to the bottom of the field.

5.1km – Continue STRAIGHT by passing through the vehicle gate.  Follow the farm track as it curves to the left.

5.3km – TURN RIGHT after going through the vehicle gate.  A Yorkshire Dales National Park Footpath marker on the gate will point you in the right direction.  You are heading towards the break in the stonewall to the right as you pass through the gate.

5.4km – Continue STRAIGHT through the gate following the footpath way markers through the middle of the field.

5.9km – Continue STRAIGHT after passing through the gate to walk diagonally across the field.

6.0km – BEAR LEFT as you reach the paved driveway that cuts through the top corner of the field.  Pass through the gate taking you away from the house.  You will walk along this paved farm track for 1.2km.

7.2km – TURN RIGHT at the T-junction at the end of the farm road, following the road into Sedbusk.  BEAR LEFT when you get to the post box.

7.3km – BEAR RIGHT to join the footpath.  There is a signpost directing you to Simonstone and a pedestrian gate to enter the field.  Once through the gate, you are heading towards the pedestrian gate in the middle of the stone wall in front of you.

7.4km – Continue STRAIGHT passing through the middle of several narrow fields separated by stone walls with small pedestrian gates, gaps or stiles until you reach the road approximately one kilometre ahead at Simonstone.

8.4km – Once through the last gate you will have arrived at a road in front of Simonstone.  Across the road and to the left you will find a footpath sign pointing you to Hardrow.  Cross the road with care and follow the sign to Hardrow keeping in the same direction you have been heading.

8.6km – TURN LEFT just before you get to Simonstone Hall, entering the field using the pedestrian gate.  Cross the top of the field by heading towards the next pedestrian gate.

8.7km – Continue STRAIGHT through the gate and head towards the gap between the two buildings.

8.8km – Continue STRAIGHT through the pedestrian gate and continue down the steep decline using the stone steps and path provided down to Hardrow.

9.1km – Use the swing gate to enter the town of Hardrow.  TURN RIGHT when you reach the busy road in front of the pub.  Continue on the road for the next 200m passing over the bridge.  Careful of vehicular traffic.

9.2km – TURN RIGHT at the gravel track to follow the Pennine Way signpost to Thwaite.  BEAR RIGHT when you get to the house to stay on the Pennine Way.  You will follow Pennine Way signage for the next 13km.

9.3km – Continue STRAIGHT at the signpost following the blue Public Bridleway marker.

10.6km – Continue STRAIGHT through two gates then TURN LEFT after the second gate to continue on the Pennine Way.

10.9km – Continue STRAIGHT on the rocky path at the signpost to Cotterdale.

12.2km – Continue STRAIGHT on the path by going over the stile or through the gate.

12.3km – TURN RIGHT at the T-junction to continue on the Pennine Way to Thwaite.  Piles of stones will mark the way on the path over the next section of the path.

14.3km – Continue STRAIGHT on the path as the path turns to a combination of dirt, grass and old cobble stones.

16.7km – Continue STRAIGHT over the stile to continue following the Pennine Way.

16.8km – Continue STRAIGHT on the path as you pass a stone structure with benches.

17.0km – Continue STRAIGHT on the path as it begins to descend.  Be very careful on the steps as the stones can stick up quite high causing trip hazards.

17.6km – Continue STRAIGHT past the rock way marker.

20.5km – Continue STRAIGHT through the vehicular gate to continue on the Pennine Way.  Careful of the loose rocks as you continue to descend into Swaledale.

22.0km – TURN RIGHT at the road following the Pennine Way to Thwaite.  Be mindful of vehicular traffic while walking on the road.

22.2km – BEAR LEFT at the three way junction in town to continue on the Pennine Way through Thwaite.

22.3km – BEAR LEFT as the main road curves to the right following the sign post for the Pennine Way to Muker.  Continue STRAIGHT through the gap in the stone wall and TURN RIGHT to follow the path between the stone wall and the garage.  You will then pass through three gates in quick succession.

23.0km – Continue STRAIGHT through the small pedestrian gap in the stone wall and walk towards the gate across the field.

22.8km – Continue STRAIGHT through the pedestrian gate then TURN LEFT using the stone bridge to cross the stream.  Continue STRAIGHT through the small pedestrian gate on the other side of the bridge and TURN RIGHT after passing through the gate to walk towards the next gate.

23.0km – Continue STRAIGHT through the gate and head towards the break in the stone wall beside the barn.

23.1km – Continue STRAIGHT through the pedestrian gate, following the path and keeping the stone wall on your left.

23.3km – Continue STRAIGHT through the pedestrian gate then continue STRAIGHT on the road being mindful of vehicular traffic.

23.4km – TURN LEFT at the signpost for the footpath to Muker.  After about 15m, TURN RIGHT to follow the next sign post to Muker via the footpath.  You will pass through a large set of vehicle gates to enter a grass campsite.  BEAR LEFT to cross the campsite heading towards the next signpost.

23.5km – TURN RIGHT to go through the pedestrian gate at the signpost to leave the campsite.  Continue with the stone wall on your right.

23.7km – Continue STRAIGHT through the pedestrian gate to continue on the footpath in the direction of the next gate.  Continue through four more gates in this same fashion continuing through the fields using the gate system.

24.2km – Continue STRAIGHT through the vehicular gate into town.  TURN RIGHT before you reach the house to follow the footpath to the Farmer’s Arms Pub.

24.3km – End the walk at the Farmer’s Arms Pub.