Easy going Yorkshire Dales


Public access is at the very heart of the Yorkshire Dales National Park.


National Parks were founded sixty years ago with the firm belief that everyone had the right to the clean air and spiritual refreshment the countryside provided, and we believe that all should be able to enjoy this beautiful landscape, no matter what their level of ability.


Reducing physical barriers - such as improving damaged or uneven paths, replacing difficult stiles with gates, and the general easing of use on rights of way for all - can benefit everyone.


Whether you are visiting as a young family with pushchairs, have limited mobility or are a wheelchair user, or have a dog who just isn’t that keen on stiles, we have been working hard to ensure that you can share in and enjoy the National Park, too.


A good example is the barrier reduction work carried out in the Cumbrian part of the National Park over the last few years by our Ranger Service and Dales Volunteers.


The principle was to improve access wherever


Both walks are linear - you can return to Sedbergh by retracing your steps and enjoy a different view on the way back - but there are plenty of opportunities to use other paths to


Route 1 Sedbergh East: Farfield Mill & Dowbiggin


Distance 1¼ miles (2km) one way or 2½ miles (4km) return Time allow 2-3 hours


Route From the main car park on Joss Lane in Sedbergh, turn left along Main Street and then right on to Back Lane heading towards the pedestrian crossing. Crossing over, turn left and then turn right along Vicarage Lane. Turn right onto the footpath below the Old Vicarage and school buildings taking the footpath on the left of the school playing fields to reach the north bank of the River Rawthey at New Bridge. Cross the main road on this side of New Bridge and follow the footpath over fields to the main Cautley Valley road at Straight Bridge.


Crossing over the road bridge, turn right down Row Lane, a quiet, walled and hedged lane, towards Garsdale Bridge and Farfield Row. Cross Garsdale Bridge for the short walk along the walled lane high above the River Clough to Farfield Mill Arts and Heritage Centre.


To extend your walk take the footpath heading from Garsdale Bridge on the left before crossing the River Clough. This follows the riverbank over fields to Hall Bank and Dowbiggin Lane.


possible, removing any obstacle that would make difficult, impede or otherwise deter use of the route, but making any changes as carefully and sensitively as possible to maintain character. By making these alterations our hope is that more opportunities are created for getting people of all abilities out into the wider countryside.


This type of work has to be done in close negotiation with the landowner. All gates and stiles are their ownership and responsibility and their needs must be carefully considered too, as the boundary crossing has to remain livestock proof. Walls, fences and hedges are more secure with a stile set within them, so it is essential that the new gates are closed by anyone passing through them to avoid sheep and cattle escaping.


vary the trip so do take a good map: OS Explorer 1:25,000 is recommended. It is not advisable to use the main roads in order to create a circular walk.


Sedbergh and the Howgill Fells from Combe Scar


Cumbria Area Ranger Paul Wilkinson has suggested two great trails packed with interest on improved routes around Sedbergh, which lies at the foot of the beautiful Howgill Fells in the north west of the National Park.


Both offer fine views and easy walking with gentle inclines and gates only, no stiles. Please note that fields are likely to contain livestock, and take care when crossing the busy main and back roads.


Route 2 Sedbergh West: Brigflatts


Distance 1½ miles (2.4km) one way or 3 miles (4.8km) return Time allow 3-4 hours


Route From the main car park on Joss Lane in Sedbergh, turn right along Main Street to Station Road. Cross Station Road and take the footpath on the right of St Andrews Church and the cricket pavilion, heading south along lanes and over fields.


The ‘Access for all abilities’ section of our website www.yorkshiredales.org.uk contains lots of useful information to


help you decide whether a right of way or opportunities for recreation are suitable for you.


There are five free Access for All publications to download covering Malhamdale & Ribblesdale, Swaledale & Arkengarthdale, Wensleydale, Wharfedale and Garsdale, Dentdale & Sedbergh which contain 17 further trails, as well as attractions and points of interest. You can also pick these up at National Park Centres.


The ‘Miles Without Stiles’ section of the website has interactive maps which allow you to look at a route in detail, including the size and type of gate or stile and judge whether it’s right for you.


Visit the Yorkshire Dales National Park online at www.yorkshiredales.org.uk Page 33


Cross Busk Lane and continue to Birks Lane. Walk along Birks Lane for a short distance and take the footpath on the right into fields heading west, passing under the disused railway line and onwards to the hamlet of Brigflatts and the peace and solitude of the Quaker Meeting House and garden.


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40