Loop Walk Around Muker
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Swaledale countryside along the routePhoto: Kristin Carpenter, Macs Adventure
Author’s recommendation
Track types
Show elevation profileSafety information
You will be walking through fields containing livestock. Be vigilant and respectful of all animals.
There are some very steep rocky areas on this walk. Take care when passing through, especially when wet.
This walk visits remote areas with limited mobile phone coverage.
This route is very exposed and walkers will be exposed to the elements.
Tips and hints
Make sure to plan your lunch in advance – this route does not pass through a town until near the end of the walk.
The town of Keld can be visited by making a short detour off the route near the waterfalls. You can follow the footpath signs if you wish to make this detour.
Make sure to also take the time to view the waterfalls where you pass over the River Swale near Keld. East Gill Force is just off the path after crossing the river.
Gunnerside Gill gives you plenty of old ruins leftover from its mining past which can be traced back to the 15th century. The ruins of Blakethwaite Smelt Mill and the ruins of the old peat store beside it are particularly interesting for having a quick look around and information boards can be found in several places as you walk through Gunnerside Gill towards the town of Gunnerside. More information about the history of lead mining in Gunnerside Gill can be found at this link: http://www.outofoblivion.org.uk/record.asp?id=262
Start
Destination
Turn-by-turn directions
0.0km – Turn to have the church on your right and walk STRAIGHT towards the house. BEAR LEFT at the house and TURN RIGHT immediately after to walk around the house. TURN LEFT and follow the footpath sign to Keld following this small road out of town.
0.2km – Continue STRAIGHT through the wide gate to continue on gravel track.
0.3km – TURN LEFT to continue following up the hill on the gravel track ignoring the gate straight on. Keep following this track as it continues up hill.
0.7km – Continue STRAIGHT through the wide gate to continue following same path up the hill.
0.9km – Continue STRAIGHT to leave the paved path as it turns left and enters a field. You will be following the footpath sign to Keld.
1.0km – Continue STRAIGHT through the wide gate to carry on uphill between the two stone walls.
1.2km – BEAR RIGHT at fork in the path following the footpath sign for the Pennine Way to Keld.
1.3km – Continue STRAIGHT following the Pennine Way signage, ignore the path bearing to the left.
1.4km – Continue STRAIGHT through the pedestrian gate to continue on the path. Keep straight on the path passing through three more gates in the next km.
2.5km – Continue STRAIGHT through the pedestrian gate and continue on the path by staying to the left of the stone structure. Take care for the next 800m as the path turns to large rocks and proper footing can be tricky.
3.8km – TURN RIGHT at the T-junction following the signs for the Pennine Way to Keld.
3.9km – TURN LEFT to continue following the Pennine Way to Keld.
4.1km – Continue STRAIGHT through the wide gate to continue on the path.
4.3km – TURN RIGHT at the 3-way junction following the Pennine Way Public Bridleway sign. Keld is nearby to this point if you need to pick up any lunch, snacks or drinks. The next town you will reach is over 12km away on the route.
4.4km – BEAR LEFT to cross the river via the bridge. You can take a quick detour through the gate on the right to get a good view of East Gill Force. TURN LEFT immediately after the bridge then BEAR RIGHT as the path splits.
4.5km – BEAR RIGHT near the top of East Gill Force waterfall following the sign for Public Bridleway. You are now leaving the Pennine Way. Pass over the stream via the bridge and through the gate on the opposite side.
4.8km – Continue STRAIGHT through wide vehicle gate to continue on the path.
5.4km – Continue STRAIGHT on path, ignore the small stone creek bed that looks like a path to your left and keep the stone wall on your right.
5.5km – BEAR LEFT at the fork in the paths to continue uphill leaving the stone wall.
5.7km – BEAR LEFT at the old stone building ruins of Crackpot Hall to follow the path behind the first building.
6.1km – Continue STRAIGHT through the wide gate to continue on the path. Take care up ahead as there is a rocky section that can be quite challenging.
6.6km – continue STRAIGHT following the trail between the ruins of Swinnergill Smelt Mill. There are more rocky sections ahead so take care on these sections.
7.4km – TURN LEFT at the gravel path to continue uphill.
8.1km – Continue STRAIGHT over the stile or through the gate and continue STRAIGHT at T-junction ahead following signs for the Coast to Coast path.
8.7km - Approximately 600m after crossing the fence you will see some old stone ruins and there will be a small path marked by two stone piles on your left. TURN LEFT on to this smaller path using the stone piles as your way markers. Be careful on the rocky sections ahead.
9.6km – TURN RIGHT to follow the switchback down the hill and towards the ruins of Blakewaithe Smelt Mill.
9.7km – TURN LEFT to continue down to the river and the ruins.
9.8km – Take care crossing the river using the stones. On the other side of the river, follow the path as it turns to the right and cross the second stream using the old stone bridge. Follow the lower path around the ruins to continue walking beside the river. You may want to take a minute here to explore the old ruins of Blakethwaite Smelt Mill. An information plaque can be found at the side of the first building you will come across.
9.9km – Continue STRAIGHT as the path continues up hill.
10.3km – BEAR LEFT at the fork in the path, continuing up hill.
10.4km – BEAR RIGHT and a quick TURN LEFT will keep you on the lower path following the signpost to Gunnerside. You will be walking in the direction of the old ruins ahead of you.
10.9km – BEAR RIGHT at the fork in the path following the yellow footpath marker.
11.9km – Continue STRAIGHT through the small gap in the stone wall to continue on the path beside the river.
12.0km – Continue STRAIGHT using the stiles over the next 200m to continue on the same path as it enters the expansive ruins of Gunnerside Gill.
12.4km – Follow the public footpath marker to the pedestrian gate. Continue STRAIGHT through the gate to continue on the path.
12.5km – Continue STRAIGHT through the gap in the stone wall to continue on the path. 150m ahead you will need to pass through a gate on your right and continue over a small footbridge in order to continue STRAIGHT on the path.
13.2km – Continue STRAIGHT down the stone steps, ignoring the smaller path to the left. Continue through the gate at the bottom of the steps and continue following the path as it turns to the left to continue beside the river.
14.0km – Follow the path to the right and through the pedestrian gate. Continue on the path between the stone walls and down the stone steps. TURN LEFT following the driveway beside the river into the town of Gunnerside.
14.2km – TURN RIGHT to cross the river via the road. Continue STRAIGHT onto the smaller road as the main road curves to the left. You will be on this road for 4km, please take care and watch for vehicular traffic.
15.9km – BEAR RIGHT to continue on the road up hill.
16.3km – Continue STRAIGHT on the road as the sign for the footpath points to your right. This footpath is not recommended.
16.8km – BEAR RIGHT at the fork in the road to stay on the same road.
18.3km – BEAR RIGHT at the fork in the road to stay on the same road.
18.7km – TURN LEFT to use the switchback path to descend towards the bridge over the Swale River.
18.8km – BEAR RIGHT as the path splits, taking the stone steps downward. TURN RIGHT at the decision point to take the bridge over the River Swale. TURN RIGHT once over the river.
18.9km – Continue STRAIGHT through the gate and follow the path beside the river for a short period. TURN LEFT using the stone steps on the left to pass through another gate, leaving the river path and into a field. Follow the stone path in the field to the next gate.
19.0km – Continue STRAIGHT through the gate and follow the stone path through the field to the next gate, continue this pattern for the next three gates as you approach Muker.
19.4km – Continue STRAIGHT through the gate then TURN RIGHT as the path continues around the side of the barn.
19.6km – Continue STRAIGHT through the gap in the stone wall to enter Muker. Follow the road STRAIGHT and end the walk outside the church which will appear on your left.
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