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Gunnerside & Surrender Bridge

Yorkshire Dales Walk

Nat Park - Yorkshire Dales - Swaledale

County/Area - North Yorkshire

Author - Lou Johnson

Length - 10.3 miles / 16.7 km    Ascent - 1500 feet / 455 metres

Time - 6 hours 40 minutes    Grade - moderate

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Walk Route Description

Photo from the walk - Gunnerside & Surrender Bridge
Click image to visit gallery of 4 images.

This varied and energetic Yorkshire Dales walk is full of interest and shares part of its route with Walk 1197. It is a varied expedition and includes woodland, open moor and considerable interesting remains of the once vibrant lead mining industry. The walk starts in the attractive village of Gunnerside and on most days there is ample parking in the village square (grid ref. SD 950982) or on the verges of the main road that heads west to Muker.

After parking cross the bridge over Gunnerside Gill in the centre of the village and take the footpath heading north along its east bank. There are a few sections where the path leaves the river bank but in general it stays close all the way upstream to Blakethwaite Lead Mine. The first section is through pleasant woodland but the views open up as you reach open valley. The surroundings become wilder and more interesting and you reach the first significant mine ruins of the walk - Bunton Mine (grid ref. SD939012). On both sides of the valley are the substantial "hushes" where miners washed away the soil to expose the valuable veins of lead. Despite the demise of mining nearly a century ago the scars still remain.

After passing Bunton Mine you reach a four-way finger post (grid ref. SD939012). Continue ahead on the rising path signed to "Blakethwaite Dam". The path soon drops down to the valley floor to pass Blakethwaite Smelt Mill (grid ref. SD 936017) on the other side of Gunnerside Gill. Do not be misled into thinking you have reached Blakethwaite Lead Mines as these are about another kilometre upstream (grid ref. SD 938028) and form the next objective on our route. From here a path leads up onto the flank of Friarfold Moor. (This path can be hard to locate if you are not too sure exactly where you are and if this is the case it might be better to retrace your steps to Bunton Hush and follow the signed footpath to Surrender Bridge).

The climb onto the moor is short and you soon join a track that heads south and then east through significant old mine workings to reach Level House Bridge (grid ref. SD 964013). Turn south-east alongside Hard Level Gill to pass the more complete ruins of Old Gang Smelting mills to reach Surrender Bridge in a further mile or so. Turn right onto the road, cross the bridge and stay with the road for approximately 400 metres. Take the signed path on your right that leads across Feetham Pasture to the small hamlet of Blades.

Going past the cottages you reach a tarmacked road. Turn right and follow it west. It degenerates into a track before continuing as a footpath climbing gently with some great views into Swaledale far below. The onward route is quite straightforward across open pasture. Reaching a wall (grid ref. SD 963983) fork left to leave the main path, which contours across the hillside, and descend quite steeply down a field. This leads to a rough track that drops down into Gunnerside village to complete the walk.

Other walks nearby

Walk 1252 Great Pinseateasy/mod5.5 miles
Walk 1053 Swinner Gill and Muker from Thwaitemod/hard8.5 miles
Walk 1340 Muker & Upper Swaledale from Keldeasy/mod6.5 miles
Walk 2190 Calver Hill & Reeth Low Mooreasy/mod6.0 miles
Walk 1253 Booze & Slei Gill from Langthwaiteeasy2.5 miles
Walk 3478 Cringley Hill & Scar House from Langthwaiteeasy/mod4.8 miles
Walk 1694 Nappa Hall & Whitfield Gill Force easy/mod6.0 miles
Walk 2822 Aysgarth & Castle Boltonmod/hard14.5 miles
Walk 3524 Semer Water and Cam High Road from Bainbridge easy/mod5.7 miles
Walk 1768 Thomas Gill and Ravenseat from Tan Hillmoderate8.7 miles

Recommended Books & eBooks

Walking in the Yorkshire Dales: South and West

Walking in the Yorkshire Dales: South and WestPart of a two-book set, this guidebook describes 44 walks in the southern and western Yorkshire Dales, including the famous 23 mile Three Peaks circuit over Pen-y-Ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough. The other, mostly circular routes of 3½ to 13 miles cover the scenic region between Sedbergh, Kirkby Lonsdale, Settle, Skipton and Grassington.
More information

Trail and Fell Running in the Yorkshire Dales

Trail and Fell Running in the Yorkshire DalesGuidebook to 40 of the best trail and fell runs in the Yorkshire Dales National Park. Ranging from 5 to 24 miles, the graded runs start from bases such as Ribblehead, Dent, Sedbergh, Malham and Grassington and take in the region's diverse delights, from castles and waterfalls to iconic mountains such as Whernside, Ingleborough and Pen Y Ghent.
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