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Semer Water and Cam High Road from Bainbridge

Yorkshire Dales Walk

Nat Park - Yorkshire Dales - Wensleydale

County/Area - North Yorkshire

Author - Lou Johnson

Length - 5.7 miles / 9.3 km    Ascent - 750 feet / 227 metres

Time - 3 hours 40 minutes    Grade - easy/mod

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Walk Route Description

Photo from the walk - Semer Water and Cam High Road from Bainbridge
Click image to see photo description.

Wensleydale is well known for its scenic beauty and this Yorkshire Dales walk is full of wonderful landscapes. Starting from Bainbridge in Wensleydale, the route heads south into Raydale to Semer Water and the nearby village of Countersett. The route then climbs onto the former Roman Road (the Cam High Road) for a gradual descent back to the start. This walk can be combined with Walk 3524 from Semer Water.

Roadside parking is available around the village green in Bainbridge (grid ref. SD933901), which lies about 4 miles east of the Hawes on the A684. After parking follow the A684 east and Cross the River Bain. Bear right onto the signed footpath just past the last building and continue across fields following the Pennine Journey long distance footpath. The path climbs gently with the River Bain down to your left to reach a footpath junction just before the summit of Bracken Hill (grid ref. SD932891). Here go half right staying on the Pennine Journey path descending slightly to walk alongside the River Bain.

Reaching a lane (grid ref. SD921877) at Semer Water Bridge, turn right and climb steeply towards the village of Countersett. Follow the lane round to the right and almost immediately take the signed footpath on your left. This leads up a driveway past cottages on your right and then continues climbing across fields to reach a lane at Hawes End (grid ref. SD912883). Turn right (west) along the lane and descend to Four Lane Ends (grid ref. SD905883) enjoying a wonderful view up Wensleydale towards Hawes.

At Four Lane Ends, bear sharp right and follow the walled Cam High Road between walls towards Bainbridge. After just under 1.5 miles you reach a lane (grid ref. SD925894). Turn left through a gate and follow the path to Greensley Bank (grid ref. 922896). Turn right here just before the building following the signed path to Bainbridge. The route ahead passes through fields, crosses a footbridge a leads you to a path junction at grid ref. SD927900 just before a barn. Turn right here and return to Bainbridge.

Other walks nearby

Walk 2822 Aysgarth & Castle Boltonmod/hard14.5 miles
Walk 1694 Nappa Hall & Whitfield Gill Force easy/mod6.0 miles
Walk 2265 Semer Water, Stalling Busk & Marsetteasy4.0 miles
Walk 2363 Drumaldrace (Wether Fell) from Burtersetteasy/mod5.2 miles
Walk 2273 Dodd Fell Hill & Drumaldracemoderate11.5 miles
Walk 2286 Gayle & Aysgill Force from Haweseasy3.5 miles
Walk 3624 Great Shunner Fell from Hardrawmod/hard9.2 miles
Walk 3621 Great Shunner Fell & Lovely Seatmod/hard11.4 miles
Walk 1680 Haw Lane & Aysgarth Moor easy/mod6.3 miles
Walk 2155 Mossdale & Cotterdaleeasy/mod7.9 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.
More information

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

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