Loop - Middleham Castle & Jervaulx Abbey - Y.Dales - 13mi/21km

Start Time: 09:45am
Miles/Kilometres: 13mi/21km
Total ascent: 400m
Difficulty: Hard
Estimated length of time: 5-6hrs
Dogs Allowed: Yes
Public Transport: No, not from West Yorkshire anyway. Happy to give people a lift from Halifax or Leeds city centre.
Payment: £1 for the walk - Use this link to pay - https://settleup.starlingbank.com/jamie-pope-b52348?amount=1.00 please put "Middleham" as reference.

Overview

Meet in the centre of the village square where there is an information board and a small monument with a Cross on top. The walk starts by following Coverham Lane out of the village and before leaving the village we turn down a small side street that leads to fields. We then follow a footpath through the fields, until it comes back out onto Coverham Lane. Instead of walking along the high speed road there is a dirt track along the side of it which we will walk along.

When the wall ends we cut through the fields down to the river and cross over the River Cover. We then walk through farmland until we come out into the quintessentially English hamlet of East Witton. We leave the hamlet via Low Thorpe road and turn onto Sowden Beck Road which leads up to a forest plantation and turns into a dirt track. Be wary of mountain bikers - looks like a good spot for it.

We walk through Sowden Beck Farm and continue up onto the moors and onto another dirt track. We then follow this dirt track over the moors until we come out onto a road. We follow this briefly until we meet the 6 Dales Trail route. It is then a case of following this route through farmland until we come out at Jervaulx Abbey.

Once ready we continue following the 6 Dales Trail along the banks of the River Ure and then the River Cover and lastly back into Middleham coming in with views of the castle. We can stop at the castle before it closes at 5pm and then head to 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.