Walk 3726 - printer friendly version

Brimham Rocks Circular Walk

Author - Lou Johnson

Length - 4.7 miles / 7.6 km

Ascent - 350 feet / 106 metres

Grade - easy

Start - OS grid reference SE208646
Lat 54.0769090 + Long -1.6835983
Postcode HG3 4DW (approx. location only)

This circular walk explores Brimham Rocks which is an outcrop of Millstone Grit known for its eroded rocks. Situated in the Nidderdale AONB, the area, managed by the National Trust (NT), has been a Site of Special Scientific Interest since 1958. This walk initially follows a short waymarked route around the highlights before continuing to explore the area by following paths around the boundary.

The start is the National Trust pay and display car park (grid ref. SE208646). To start, leave the car park and follow the blue way markers around the Circular Walk in a clockwise direction. This walk will introduce you to some of the wonderful rock formations including The Eagle, the Dancing Bear, and the Idol. Complete the circuit and return to the car park. (Please note the GPS file does not include this part of the walk.)

The second part of the exploration follows the Boundary walk in an anti-clockwise direction. From the car park walk down the entrance road and just before the public road across the moor, turn right down a track (signed Druid Caves Farm). Continue to just before the NT boundary and turn left, then fork right (with wall on your right). Continue for 300 metres down to a gate on your left and turn left to reach the road (grid ref. SE208640).

Cross the road and take the path to the left of a large rock. After 100 metres the path forks. Continue ahead ignoring the left-hand fork. Continue for about 600 metres to a path junction with a fingerpost. Turn right along the Nidderdale Way. Walk through a small copse and continue towards a gate, a stile, and the NT boundary sign (grid ref. SE218643). Just before the gate cross the stile on the left and head slight left downhill to a wall and small copse. Bear left.on the path and cross a small footbridge. The path soon bears left. Take the path over a gulley using the boarded bridge. Follow the path as is bends sharp right and rises onto the moor. Brimham Rocks lie ahead, and after 400 metres you reach the road (SE214650).

Turn sharp right along a concrete track (marked private). After 200 metres turn left on a path to cross a small bridge. Continue along this path to reach the road. Turn right and continue along the road for 500 metres. Where the road turns sharp right, take the track on your left (signed Private Road and Public Footpath). Continue on this farm track for nearly 800 metres to a stile on your left, just before the gate into farm (grid ref. SE206654).

Cross the stile to reach the junction of three paths. Take the middle path ignoring the paths by the right hand and left-hand walls. The path climbs gently to a wood. Follow the meandering, rising path through the trees to exit into the rocks Brimham. Reaching the main path, turn right. You will pass close to the Idol and the Druid's Writing Desk. Stay on the path which runs behind the visitor centre on your left to reach a road from the VC. Follow the road as it bends sharp left. Reaching a stone gulley across the road, turn right onto a grassy path heading downhill (grid ref. SE206650). After 100 metres, turn right by some small rocks to reach a path junction with three paths leading downhill. Take the middle path to join a farm track. Turn left along the track which leads back to the road from where you can return to your car.

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