A COUNTRYSIDE TRAIL, THAT HAS BOTH STUNNING VIEWS, SCENIC PATHS FOR THOSE THAT WORK FOR THEM AND AN INTERESTING RIVERSIDE WALK.

📍Distance: 4.5 miles (a little more if you want to meander into Starbottom and Kettlewell)

📍Difficulty: Moderately challenging if you choose the uphill route

📍Elevation: 687 ft

📍Map: OL30 Yorkshire Dales: Northern & Central Area

📍Info: Walk is all on tracks and footpaths.  Ascent is rocky terrain and descent can be slippy.  After heavy rain the riverside may be boggy in parts.  Suitable footwear is advised.

📍Dog Friendly Level: The walk is through active farmland throughout.  Please keep dogs on leads.

📍Parking: Yorkshire Dales National Parks Carpark Pay & Display, Kettlewell, Skipton, BD23 5QX what-3-words: repeated.advantage.grudges

A note to those that use OS maps to find footpaths but dont actually know what you are looking for?  We did this walk on bank holiday Monday this week and I was looking for a shortish riverside walk, nothing too strenuous....or so I thought.   What I got was a serious steep ascent and descent, but views that were so worth the climb up.  

If you are not one for hills then read on as this walk can be the idyllic and relaxing stroll along the banks of a river too.

Starting from the Pay & display National Parks car park in Kettlewell, you cross the bridge on your left over the river and ignoring the first footpath on your right, take the second path slightly uphill. 

Ignoring the track that bears to the left shortly after your start you follow the winding rubble track that begins a climb up Moor End Fell.  Half way up this is when I realised it wasn’t going to be the casual river stroll I imagined, but keep going…the views are worth it as you steadily head up to the top.

Derelict Moor End Farm

Once at the top of the Fell, a derelict farm house and buildings come into view.  This is Moor End Farm, enjoying spectacular views of Upper Wharfredale below.  I fell in love with the romanticism of the property and the original features which may lay inside.  If I had my time again, then the isolation this building holds is definitely one I would seek, with only the odd walker and sheep for company. 

You'd have to make do without that pint of milk if you had forgotten it with a steep trek down the fell.

Following around to the left of the house, the footpath weaves amongst old fields with crumbling stone walls until you reach your descent which follows a pretty woodland path.  Take care down the rugged limestone which was slippy even on a dry day. 

As you near ground level again a pretty dry stone wall lined path leads you to the wooden footbridge over the river Wharfe.  I do advise a stop here to enjoy a stroll around the village of Starbottom.

To continue your walk cross the footbridge once again to where we ended and turn left along the banks of the river Wharf on your left and follow the easy to navigate path with yellow markers back to Kettlewell.  

Along the river banks you will pass several old Dales barns, they add such character to the landscape and where your imagination of the years gone by can  come to life whilst walking.  There is also lots of wildlife to be enjoyed along the banks of the river, a small copse where you can stop and take in a moment listening to the beautiful birdsong, and lots of livestock filling the fields.

The leisurely there and back route would start you again at the Kettlewell car park, crossing the bridge over the river and taking the first footpath and gate to your left.  This path will gently meander following the river Wharfe on your right, until you reach the wooden footbridge at Starbottom.  You would simply return the way you came for a less strenuous walk.  

Kettlewell itself is a very popular spot in the summer months due to its riverside location and as a hub for many walks which can start and finish in the local area.  Bear this in mind when you plan your dates to walk in the area.  

As with all our walks in the Yorkshire Dales, please remember The Countryside Code and always keep dogs under control and in sight.  As responsible owners we always recommend keeping your dogs on a lead on our walks.