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Arncliffe & Kettlewell Circular

Yorkshire Dales Walk

Nat Park - Yorkshire Dales - Upper Wharfedale

County/Area - North Yorkshire

Author - Lou Johnson

Length - 7.0 miles / 11.4 km    Ascent - 1500 feet / 455 metres

Time - 5 hours 0 minutes    Grade - moderate

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Walk Route Description

Photo from the walk - Arncliffe & Kettlewell Circular
Click image to visit gallery of 6 images.

Kettlewell is a popular starting point for walks in Wharfedale with cafes, pubs and shops. This Yorkshire Dales walk uses a path linking Wharfedale with Littondale and includes another picturesque village at Arncliffe where there is a solitary pub.

There is a pay and display car park in Kettlewell (Grid ref. SD968723) with alternative parking nearby. Leave the car park and cross the River Wharfe. Ignore the riverside path leading to Starbotton and take the next path. Almost immediately turn left on a rising path that can be seen heading uphill to a limestone outcrop. This path is signed Arncliffe. The climb, although steep, offers excellent views of Kettlewell and Wharfedale.

The path is easily to follow and once through the 'slit' in the limestone outcrop the gradient eases to reach Old Cote Moor. With few navigational problems you can enjoy the views with Littondale appearing ahead with Arncliffe village clustered around its church. The descent is easy until you reach Byre Bank Wood where the going is considerably more difficult.

Reaching a tarmac road go straight across to a stile and take the shortcut to the bridge over the River Skirfare. Go over the bridge and turn left past the Church where you will find the signed path that leads downstream to Hawkswick. Note if you have the time then it is worthwhile to spend a few minutes exploring the village.

The path continues alongside the River Skirfare to reach a footbridge after nearly two miles. Cross the bridge to reach a road. Turn right along the road to Hawkswick village taking care not to miss the footpath on the left (Grid ref. SD 955 706). This continues as a wide path leading you gently uphill to reach a point above Knipe Scar from where you can see the confluence of the Wharfe and Skirfare rivers.

The path descends through pastures to reach a wood. Continue through the wood to reach the main valley road. Turn left along this taking care especially when traffic is heavy to reach the start.

Other walks nearby

Walk 2332 Mastilles Lane & Bordley from Kilnseyeasy/mod6.8 miles
Walk 3301 Conistone to Grassington via the Dibeasy5.0 miles
Walk 3262 Copplestone Gate and Conistone Pie from Conistoneeasy/mod7.0 miles
Walk 2423 Capplestone Gate & Conistone Pieeasy/mod6.8 miles
Walk 1254 Yockenthwaite & Hubberholmemoderate8.0 miles
Walk 1281 Buckden Pikemoderate10.5 miles
Walk 2132 Buckden Pike and Hubberholmemoderate8.4 miles
Walk 1926 Pen-y-ghent & Littondalehard16.0 miles
Walk 1145 Grassington, Mastilles Lane & Conistone Dibmoderate11.3 miles
Walk 1645 Grassington, Mastilles Lane & Conistone Dibmoderate12.0 miles

Recommended Books & eBooks

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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Walking in the Yorkshire Dales: North and East

Walking in the Yorkshire Dales: North and EastThis guidebook contains 43 circular day walks in the north and east Yorkshire Dales. It explores the dales, hills and moors between Kirkby Stephen and Pateley Bridge. Walking ranges from gentle 3 mile strolls to more strenuous day-long rambles across the Howgills, Wensleydale, Swaledale, Nidderdale, Mallerstang and Coverdale.
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