Loop - Hawes, Dodd Fell Hill & Drumaldrace - Y.Dales - 13.5mi/22km

Join us for a hike in the Yorkshire Dales, ticking off two of the Dales 30 (hills in the Dales 2000ft/610m above sea level), Dodd Fell Hill & Drumaldrace (aka Wether Hill).

Start Time: 9:45am
Miles/Kilometres: 13.5mi/22km (Approx)
Total ascent: 585m (Approx)
Difficulty: Hard
Estimated length of time: 6-7 hours (including a lunch break)
Dogs Allowed: Yes but must be on a lead at all times on moorland.
Public Transport: No. Happy to give people a lift from Halifax, Keighley, Steeton/Silsden or Skipton.
Parking: Yorkshire Dales National Park's car park in Hawes.
Payment: £1 for the walk - Use this link to pay: https://settleup.starlingbank.com/jamiepope1 - please put "Hawes" as reference.

Itinerary

Meet outside the entrance to the Y.Dales National Park's information centre. We start by exiting the car park and crossing the main road. We then walk down Penn Lane through the old part of Hawes, across Gayle Beck where there is a pretty waterfall (if there's been enough rain). We walk up some steps and then pass St Margaret's Church, to where we join the Pennine Way (PW).

We follow the Pennine Way out of Hawes, going behind the Wensleydale Creamery (where Wensleydale cheese is made) until we come out into the hamlet of Gayle. We walk down the road briefly before following the PW as it cuts through a small housing estate, through a field, then follow Harker Hill road out of Gayle, cross over the next road and follow the PW through more fields and dirt roads until the grass givesway to moorland.

It is now a steady incline up the moorland onto a hill called Ten End, the path then skirts around the hillside avoiding the pete ground/bogs. 5mi/8km into the hike we ascend up to the top of Dodd Fell Hill where we will stop for lunch, enjoying views (weather permitting) of the surrounding dales and hills.

Once ready we descend back to the Pennine Way and follow it until we reach Cam High Road, we now leave the PW and follow the road east. We follow this road for the next 4mi/6.4km, we should encounter no vechiles other than for perhaps farmers as it is gated at either end and is largely a dirt road. We veer off briefly for an easy ascent to the top of Drumaldrace then rejoin the road again for a little bit more.

The walk ends following a footpath down the hill across the moors and then through fields until we come out on the opposite side of the river from the hamlet Gayle, we walked through earlier. We now follow a steps at the start back past the creamery and church into Hawes, where we can find a pub for food & drink before heading home.

Disclaimers

The walk organisers do not have training or insurance. Therefore, anyone who joins the walk is accountable for their own safety and anyone they bring with them. By signing up you accept this.
Check the weather (on multiple websites) before leaving your residence. Bring clothing & footwear suitable for the forecast. We advise you to bring walking boots for any medium or harder walk. Trainers are only recommended for leisurely and easy walks. Bring a coat just in case (this is Britain after all...) and extra layers if it is going to be cold.
All proceeds go towards equipment for leading walks, group events & trips. A percentage will go to charities.
Bring a packed lunch and snacks. Bring enough food & water to last the estimated time.
We recommend bringing some cash just in case. Especially if parking. Not everywhere is contactless yet.
If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact the walks organiser.