Route: Aysgarth Falls and Bolton Castle
Area: Yorkshire Dales
Date of walk: 4th August 2016
Walkers: Andrew
Distance: 9.6 miles
Ascent: 1,000 feet
Weather: Mixed cloud and sunshine
I parked at the Aysgarth Falls National Park Centre, a perfect place to see the awesome waterfalls along the River Ure and in turn visited the Upper, Middle and Lower Falls. From the last of these I headed gently uphill across Wensleydale to Bolton Castle, another highlight of this walk
There’s much to see at this historic place, and it merits a much longer visit than I had time for today, but there was a walk to be done and with some reluctance I set off along a very windy Ellerlands Ridge, with superb long distance views over Wensleydale, gradually descending back into the valley to the village of Carperby
A large herd of cows with calves in a very narrow field caused me to retrace my steps back to the village but luckily there’s another parallel path which circumvents this obstacle and from here it was a short but delightful walk through typical Dales countryside back to the start
It had been a superb walk – roaring waterfalls, huge views, an ancient castle, old stone barns and much more – and I’d happily repeat it tomorrow
Click on the icon below for the route map (subscribers to OS Maps can view detailed maps of the route, visualise it in aerial 3D, and download the GPX file. Non-subscribers will see a base map)
Scroll down – or click on any photo to enlarge it and you can then view as a slideshow
Close up of a red squirrel in the garden before I set off for the Dales
Having parked at the visitor centre in Aysgarth I made a short diversion to see the Upper Falls
St Andrew’s Church Aysgarth above the Middle Falls
The path continues through Freeholders’ Wood with the River Ure on my right
The Lower Falls (1/6th second without a tripod)…
…and at 1/1000th second
After visiting the Lower Falls I retraced my steps for a short distance and headed away from the river towards Bolton Castle
Wensleydale
Bolton Castle (the castle) and Castle Bolton (the village) come into view on the far side of Wensleydale
Thoresby Lane, near Low Thoresby
Looking back
Bolton Castle comes into view again
I walk through this hay meadow and cross the road ahead
I then follow the lane leading to the castle
Looking back down the lane to West Witton Moor
Castle Bolton
I walk past the small church to enter the castle grounds
A magnificent eagle owl at a display in the castle
Bolton Castle
Views of Wensleydale from the castle…
After that superb visit it’s time to head back along the elevated track below the moorland
Looking back
Carperby Moor
As I cross Beldon Beck my line of travel changes from west to south as I head towards Carperby
Descending back into Wensleydale
Approaching Carperby
Windswept tree outside Carperby
Black bin day in Carperby
Opposite the Wheatsheaf I took this path through a narrow field, but faced by herd of cattle with calves I retreated and took a parallel path further down the road
Typical Dales old stone barns
I walk through this hay meadow and then through the woods beyond it
Back to the start as I walk under the old railway line by Aysgarth Station - the car park is just beyond the tunnel
After the walk I drove over to nearby West Burton to see the falls there
