Walk 1056 - printer friendly version

Gunnerside & Surrender Bridge Walk

Author - Lou Johnson

Length - 10.3 miles / 16.7 km

Ascent - 1500 feet / 455 metres

Grade - moderate

Start - OS grid reference SD950982
Lat 54.379273 + Long -2.0784831
Postcode DL11 6LE (approx. location only)

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.

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