Keld to Reeth via Swaledale Valley (Low Route)

*** To help you follow the route with confidence we have provided a general overview below of the Keld to Reeth Low route to keep you on track. The Ales and Dales Trail largely follows England's national walking trail networks and is navigationally straightforward, however, please ensure that you follow the GPS tracks in the Macs Adventure smartphone app to ensure you have a safe, enjoyable and problem-free day.  The daily maps can also be printed from the web version of the app should you wish to take paper copies with you. ***

Stage 1 (Keld to C2C path turn off) - 0.0 to 0.6km: Facing the Keld Heritage Centre turn left to pass the Keld Chapel on your right as it curves round to reveal a gravel lane that's signed for the Swale Way and the Coast to Coast Bridleway. Follow the is path till it forks, bearing left to head downhill on the brick-lined path, following the sign for Pennine Way and Swale Trail. At the bottom, cross the wooden footbridge bearing left onto the gravel slope heading uphill. After 80 metres or so, with Lower East Gill Force on your right, turn right to proceed through a wooden gate signposted to Rampsholme. The route climbs to the left of the charming Upper East Gill Force (where yesterday you turned left up the stony path towards Tan Hill Inn) today you will turn right and follow the C2C path.

Stage 2 - (C2C path to Low Route turn off) - 0.6 to 1.5km: Stay on the C2C path as it heads east and you will eventually see a derelict stone building on your right, not too far along the path forks - near a rusty, ruined vehicle. For the low route, you want to take the obvious path that bears right - the path bearing left continues on the high route (Ensure you cross-check with the Macs App red line to confirm you are on the correct path).

Stage 3 - (Low Route path turn off to Muker turn off) 1.5 to 4.1km: The path then follows the River Swale all the way down the valley - it's wide, flat and very easy-going! At around the 4 kilometres mark, we come of this wide path as it veers to the left and for those interested, around 100 metres along from here, there is a waymarker on the Macs App that shows you the detour off to Muker. 

Stage 4 (Muker turn off to Gunnerside) - 4.0 to 8.7km: For those staying on the path, follow the route signposted for Gunnerside and follow it for just under 5 kilometres, all of which is very pleasant walking that hugs the River Swale, passing by some farmhouses and Barns. At around the 6.9-kilometre mark of the route itself (not your own GPS walking distance!) you will reconnect to a paved road that leads into the small hamlet of Ivelet (those who took the detour to Muker, will rejoin here after passing over the high bridge). Passing through Ivelet, you rejoin quiet farmland paths into the heart of Gunnerside.

Stage 5 (Gunnerside to the hamlet of Blades) - 8.7 to 12.4km: After refreshments in Gunnerside, starting at the bridge just outside the Kings Head Pub follow the B6270 road east as it starts to ascend upwards through the village. After around 100 metres or so you'll see a smaller gravel road to your left with a gate. Pass through the gate and shortly after turn right again off the gravel road onto the trail path. The trail path from here climbs steeply along open moorlands, ensure you pay close attention to Macs App red line and stay on the main path - there are some minor paths that shoot off in different directions but they all eventually lead to the same location. At around the 11.2km mark of the route itself (not your own GPS walking distance), you reconnect to a concrete path that starts to descend towards a small hamlet known as Blades. As you approach Blades, ensure you take the road that bends down to the right and heads towards the waymarker on the Macs App.

Stage 6 (The hamlet of Blades to Healaugh) - 12.4 to 16.5km: At the aforementioned waymarker the Ales and Dales route continues to follow the road as it zig-zags downhill to the main B road the cuts through the Swaledale Valley. The reason for this is to visit the Punch Bowl Inn at Low Row (we recommend calling ahead to ensure it's open (+44 (0) 1748 886233). The Punch Bowl is a fantastic pub and your last opportunity today for a pub stop before Reeth. For those that do, please be prepared for a steep climb back up a minor road to find the C2C trail again. For those not bothered about visiting the Punch Bowl you can opt to stick to the C2C path and take the (normally muddy) track that cuts across behind it.  Whatever route you take, they rejoin at around the 13.2-kilometre mark where the steep minor road and trail path interjects, you'll know as there are signposts on either side of the road. Carry on following the trail path east and watch out for the turnoff to your left at around the 13.9-kilometre mark (again pay attention to the Macs App Redline for this) - Here you come off the main path (just before the settlement of Kearton) and onto a smaller path that leads you uphill to a paved country road (known as Morley gate). Turn right and follow Morley Gate Road all the way east for around 2 kilometres as its starts to take you back down the valley into Healaugh.

Stage 7  (Healaugh to Reeth) - 16.5 to 18.5km: From Healaugh, take the path that drops back down to the River Swale and enjoy the easy-going walking again as you make your way into Reeth. (For those that are looking for a more direct path to Reeth, you can just follow the Herriot Way path that's more inland).  

Post Walk Drinks recommendation in Reeth: The Buck Hotel

*** This is the end of our Keld to Reeth Low route, Please use your included documentation to find your overnight accommodation ***