Route Description
The Herriot Way is a 52-mile circular route through the picturesque North Yorkshire Dales of Wensleydale and Swaledale. The route is based on a holiday undertaken by the veterinary surgeon and author Alf Wight, better known by his pen name James Herriot. The popular TV series 'All Creatures Great and Small' is based on the books Herriot wrote and has brought many visitors to the area. There can be no substitute for walking to really appreciate and enjoy this wonderful landscape.
The route splits into four daily stages of approximately 13 miles each between the villages of Hawes, Keld, Reeth and Aysgarth. Our itinerary starts in Hawes but you can start your holiday in any of the four villages if you wish.
The trail is not waymarked but the route does follow good footpaths and tracks across open moors and farmland, and can be navigated with the aid of the guidebook and map. The highest point on route is Great Shunner Fell (716m/2349ft).
Terrain
The terrain varies from footpaths, farmland and country lanes.
Waymarking and Navigation
The route is not fully waymarked but it is generally easy to follow with the aid the guidebook, map and a compass.
Hawes to Keld. Distance 13 miles.
Leave Hawes and start your ascent to the summit of Great Shunner Fell (716M) for wonderful views. For much of the day you follow the Pennine Way north towards Keld. The route descends to the little village of Thwaite in Swaledale and then rounds Kisdon hill as the path climbs to Keld.
Keld to Reeth. Distance 13 miles.
Today you have the choice of following a low level route through Swaledale valley or taking the high level route through the disused lead mines. In the 18th and 19th Centuries the area was a hive of activity for lead mining, the disused workings are still visible today as you cross the moors to Reeth.
Reeth to Aysgarth. Distance 13 miles.
From Reeth follow the path to Harkerside Moor, and up onto East Bolton Moor (550M) then descend via the old lead miners track into Wensleydale. The route passes the mediaeval Bolton Caslte, the 600 year old fortress that imprisoned Mary Queen of Scots in 1569 is open to visitors from April to October. The route then follows the valley to the famous Aysgarth Falls.
Aysgarth to Hawes. Distance 13 miles.
There are no high moors to cross insteand the route follows the valley alongside the River Ure for a few miles. As you approch Hawes visit Hardraw Force, Englands highest single drop waterfall (above ground).
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