Walks in Kearton
From easy city strolls to challenging trails, discover the best of Kearton on foot.
Walk: Walk along the River Swale
The River Swale has some lovely walks along its banks. Start this walk at Reeth and head west along the southern side before returning close to the river to the north. The Route what3words for start point: ///price.punctuate.dwelled Start / Finish Point: Reeth, Richmond DL11 6SY Distance: 4.5 Miles GPX Route Map reethriversidewalkDownload Walk Description Start in the large village of Reeth in the centre of Swaledale. Head down to the River Swale, cross at the swing bridge before turning right. Follow the river initially across open fields before arriving at some attractive woodland. Cross the river at Low Whita and soon join the path next to the northern bank. The views across the dale are excellent, typical farmland, dry stone walls, barns and of course sheep. The track leads back to Reeth.
Walk: Lead Mines of Swaledale
A lunar landscape greets the walker who ventures on to the moorland above Reeth in Swaledale. The lead mining activity that dominated the dales is evident everywhere. The Route what3words for start point: ///gain.cupboards.comet Start Point: Surrender Bridge above Reeth (on the high road between Arkengarthdale & Low Row) Finish Point: Surrender Bridge Distance: 6 Miles GPX Route Map leadminesabovereethDownload Walk Description From Surrender Bridge a major bridleway climbs steadily along the Old Gang before arriving in to the grey wastes above the river. Here spoil heaps, rusted machinery and the remains of 19th century stone buildings pepper the landscape. Take some time to imagine this area as a hive of activity in times past, buzzing with people and noise. A short detour to the high point of Great Pinseat completes an excellent and not difficult circuit from above the village of Reeth.
Walk: Reeth, Arkengarthdale and Fremington Edge
An 8 mile walk around in the Yorkshire Dales, taking in Reeth, Arkengarthdale, Langthwaite, Booze and Fremington Edge. The Route Start Point: Reeth, Richmond DL11 6TX Finish Point: Reeth, Richmond DL11 6TX Distance: 8.25 Miles GPX Route Map reeth-fremington-edgeDownload Walk Description Fremington Edge dominates the confluence of Arkengarthdale and Swaledale, a towering wall of shimmering scree slopes and crags that rise sheer from the flat valley floor – our objective for today’s walk. From Reeth, this walk follows footpaths across meadows and pastures through Arkengarthdale, with the scars and steep slopes of Fremington Edge towering above and the sinuous Arkle Beck for company. The views are superb, with wonderful panoramas across the wooded valley as it curves away towards the wild upper reaches of the dale whilst to the west rise the wild heights of Calver Hill. Langthwaite is a huddle of stone-built miners’ cottages with a traditional Dales’ inn tucked away in a corner of the small square, from where we climb up to the windswept hamlet of Booze with its derelict farmhouses set high on the hillside – the name ‘booze’ comes from the Old English word ‘bowehouse’ meaning ‘house by the curve’. A delightful path drops down to the old farmhouse of Storthwaite Hall (‘storthwaite’ comes from Old Norse and means ‘clearing of the bullocks’) set at the foot of Slei Gill, which is badly scarred with the remains of lead mines. From Storthwaite Hall a path snakes its way steeply up onto the top of Fremington Edge through an area of old spoil heaps and workings of the disused Fell End Lead Mines. A large stone-built cairn stands at the edge of the escarpment from where there are breath-taking views across Arkengarthdale. A footpath leads across the top of Fremington Edge, although the views are not as good as you might expect as the actual escarpment lies just to the west of our path. Underfoot the ground is soft and boggy, with the vast expanse of heather-clad Marrick Moor stretching away to the east - the path runs alongside a stone wall that acts as a very convenient wind-break. After just over a mile, we come to the old road over to Hurst, now just a rough stony track, which we follow steeply down to reach the whitewashed farmhouse of The White House – a well-known landmark – from where there is a superb bird’s eye view of Reeth set on the gently sloping flanks of Calver Hill with Swaledale snaking away into the distance.
Walk: Fremington Edge Top
This is an excellent walk with variety, only two sections of significant ascent, stunning views and a pub lunch stop in Reeth midway. The Route what3words for start point: ///decanter.quits.boots Start Point: Langthwaite Finish Point: Langthwaite Distance: 10 Miles GPX Route Map fremingtonedgetopDownload Walk Description This walk is best done when there is a north westerly wind which will be behind you on the ridgeline and affects you little when returning in the valley. The village of Langthwaite has a car park on the right hand side of the main road. The Red Lion pub has pictures inside show the filming of the series "All Creatures Great and Small". The lead industry in this area was very prosperous until the early 1900 when cheaper imports forced it to close and the families had to move away or into farming. Scar House is prominent and imposing. It was owned by the Sopwith family of Sopwith Camel fame (the fighter plane.) Most of the other buildings in the area were linked to the lead industry – administrative buildings, joiners houses, a sawmill, a smithy office and workshops. The powder house can be seen in the middle of the field – a hexagonal building used to store gunpowder for use in the mines. The houses at Booze can be seen from the ridge and “Booze” in Norse language means “House on the Curved Hill.” The tradition of funeral cakes started here – shortbread tied with a black ribbon was delivered to villagers as an invitation to attend a funeral. The grouse shooting season starts on 12 August (Glorious 12th) until 20 December. The hill and moorland which is passed on the route back is Calver Hill at 470m and is a popular grouse shooting area. On the top of this hill is a large stone cross but little is known of its history.
Walk: Reeth
A cheerful walk from Reeth village green to Reeth Swing Bridge. While walking along the river keep an eye out for the many different birds that can be spotted there. The Route what3words for start point: ///shallower.then.gilding Start / Finish Point: Reeth, Richmond DL11 6SY Distance: 1 Miles GPX Route Map drawaroute-16Download Walk Description An easy access route from Reeth to the River Swale. Starting on the village green, take the flagged alleyway between the Black Bull and Kings Arms public houses. After 40m the alleyway turns into a tarmacked lane leading to Langhorne Drive. Turn left onto Langthorne Drive and then right at the end following the signpost to the Swing Bridge. From here the route is unsurfaced with some gradients reaching 1:6. Whilst walking along the river, look out and listen for heron and dipper on the river as well as nuthatch, tree creeper and great spotted woodpecker in the trees along the river bank.