Yorkshire Dales: Reeth Circular

 

Date: Thursday 19th September
Route: Reeth Circular
Distance: 5.5 miles

With grey skies glowering overhead, we opted for a walk from the AA's 1001 Walks from the market town of Reeth, with its pretty central square, surrounded by houses, pubs and shops amidst the hills of Swaledale.

The first part of the route is flat and easy to follow, walking alongside the river Swale to Marrick, where an outdoor activity centre sits alongside the old priory.

From the priory it's a steep climb up into the slightly spooky, Lord of the Rings-esque woodland, then a paved path through the woods alongside moss-covered stone walls and on into fields, with views across Swaledale and Arkengarthdale.

After an equally steep, knee-punishing descent down the road back to High Fremington, the path levels out again across fields and rejoins the river just outside Reeth.

This is not the most spetacular of walks, but it is very straightforward (and definitely offers more rewarding views when the sun breaks through the clouds and lights up the hillsides).

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