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10 Nights Accommodation/9 Days Walking

  • Day 1 Travel to Kirkby Stephen where your first nights accommodation is booked
  • Day 2 Kirkby Stephen to Keld - 13 miles
  • Day 3 Keld to Reeth - 11 miles
  • Day 4 Reeth to Richmond - 11 miles
  • Day 5 Richmond to Danby Wiske - 13 miles
  • Day 6 Danby Wiske to Ingleby Cross - 9 miles
  • Day 7 Ingleby Cross to Clay Bank Top - 13 miles
  • Day 8 Clay Bank Top to Blakey Ridge - 9 miles
  • Day 9 Blakey Ridge to Grosmont - 15 miles
  • Day 10 Grosmont to Robin Hoods Bay - 15 miles
  • Day 11 Depart Robin Hoods Bay for home
Route Description
Kirkby Stephen (village height above sea level 180M) to Keld (350M). Distance 13 miles

Cross Franks Bridge and head for the lane which becomes a broad path onto the Pennine Moors and the summit of Nine Standards Rigg (662M). Depending on the time of year there are three routes over and around Nine Standards; green (avoiding the summit) for winter and spring, red for early summer, and blue for late summer and autumn. All routes cross peat, which is notoriously boggy in wet weather, before descending to the River Swale and the road in to Keld.

Keld (350M) to Reeth (200M). Distance 11 miles

From Keld you have a choice of routes. The main route stays high and crosses moorland that is scarred from a lead mining industry that disappeared at the end of the 19th century. From Keld the route descends to the river then climbs past Crackpot Hall and the ruins of Swinner Gill mine workings. It crosses the moor (580M) before dropping into Gunnerside Gill (400M) and then up onto Melbecks Moor (550M). From here a broad track descends gradually passing the ruins of Old Gang Smelting Mills to Surrender Bridge (350M) and another smelt mill. The last test of the day is to drop into Cringley Bottom, cross the river and then continue over the farmland to Reeth. The alternative route, is to follow the ‘royal road’ through Swaledale valley. The route passes through Gunnerside and a few pleasant small Yorkshire Dales villages.

Reeth (200M) to Richmond (150M). Distance 11 miles

This is a much easier day’s walk across rolling countryside passing Marrick Priory, Marske village and Whitecliffe wood to the largest town on route, Richmond.

Richmond (150M) to Danby Wiske (36M). Distance 13 miles

The route to Danby Wiske is almost level and generally easy going, it crosses farmlands to Bolton on Swale and then follows 7 miles of country lanes across the low lying Vale of Mowbray.

Danby Wiske (36M) to Ingleby Cross (80M). Distance 9 miles

The path remains easy going initially following the country lanes before returning to farm land. Take care crossing the busy A19 road.

Ingleby Cross (80M) to Clay Bank Top (250M). Distance 13 miles

This is the start of the crossing over the Cleveland Hills and the North York Moors, which are covered in purple heather during late summer months. The route follows the Cleveland Way trail and climbs steadily over Beacon Hill (299M) then descends into Scugdale (100M). The path climbs steadily at first then steeply onto Gold Hill (315M). It continues onto Carlton Moor (408M) before descending to Green Bank (300M). Once again it climbs going over Cringle Moor (430M), descends to 280M back up to 400M, down again to 300M and then a final climb through the Wainstones onto Hasty Bank (398M) before descending to the road at Clay Bank Top (250M). If all the up and down seems like too much hard work there is a path that contours round the hills from Green Bank to Clay Bank.

Blakey Ridge (400M) to Grosmont (50M). Distance 15 miles

The route follows an old toll road through the private estate of Egton Manor to Grosmont.

Grosmont (50M) to Robin Hoods Bay. Distance 15 miles

The road (the 1 in 3) climbs steeply out of Grosmont to its high point on Sleights Moor (285M). There are wonderful views to Whitby and the sea. The path descends through heather covered moorland in to Littlebeck. The route follows a woodland trail. After the woodland the path rises and crosses a final stretch of heather moorland before following country lanes to the coast. This time the path turns south to follow a coastal path to Robin Hoods Bay and a final last descent to the sea. Please don't forget to follow tradition once more by dipping your boot in the sea and throwing your pebble in (that should baffle the geologists in years to come). Your challenge is complete. Robin Hoods Bay is a picturesque once fishing village and reputed smugglers haunt. Being built on the hillside the street from top to bottom of the village is the final steep descent/ascent on route.

Booking

Our self guided holidays are booked on an individual basis and therefore you can start your holiday on any date of your choice between April and early October.