A lovely walk up Addlebrough in Wensleydale in the glorious Yorkshire Dales

On another gorgeous day a little group of us parked in the car park at Thornton Rust and set off to reach the top of Addlebrough in Wensleydale in the Yorkshire Dales, one in our party had never walked that way so extra special for her.

Addlebrough is one of those tantalising landmarks in the dales that nearly makes you want to experience what might be on the top of its seemingly flat plateau. A lovely walk with stunning views and a couple of little surprises on the way for us. There are instructions below for a six mile walk or a ten mile plus walk.

If you look on the map you can follow the route we took from the car park at the start of the walk. Officially there is no path up onto the heights of Addlebrough so once onto Open Access land and through the next gate, it is quite a way across the moor, you will see a finger post directing you to a ladder stile. Take this path and soon you’re really on the route to take you to the summit. Pause at the next post, a convenient stone here to perch on, and then deep breath and off you go. It isn’t the hardest of hills to climb so don’t be too daunted. Once at the top take note of the ladder stile a few yards in front of you on the left and then you can explore. Find the cairn, photo opportunity of course, if you’re lucky you may even find in the ground what looked like a trig point which is no longer but we weren’t sure, then over to the west to sit and gaze upon Semer Water for a well earned rest. Do not try to descend at this point as there are crags below you.

Now retrace your steps back to where you emerged at the top by the ladder stile. Over here and be surprised with the little obelisk with convenient seat, definitely another photo opportunity, then make your way down keeping the wall on your left, south, after a while walk diagonally across the field and you’ll come across sheep tracks to follow and more surprisingly stones which seem to have been set out in large rectangles. Going on further there are lots and lots of stones, must have been some mining going on here many moons ago, and another very unusual obelisk comes into view. Here there is a cut in the hill where we found a seat! Looks ancient but the inscription on it was dated 2006, so not at all sure. Again a great place to pause and find the peace this land offers. Now keep going south to meet up with the main path you initially left before turning right at the finger post to climb Addlebrough. Make your way along here and it will bring you out just north of Carpley Green.

Turn right, north, onto the single track road and proceed to the sheepfold, marked on the map, and the next footpath marker by a large metal gate. Into here and follow the path leading on to a track to Cubeck. Here you have a choice, you can either walk along the road back to Thornton Rust and your vehicle which would make a walk of six miles or you can continue to the left, down hill to Worton and a longer walk of about ten miles.

If taking the longer route, walk through Worton in the direction of Askrigg, once over the metal bridge take the footpath on the right. Follow this path, sometimes along the disused railway line, sometimes by the River Ure, past Lady Hill and you will come to a track crossing your path north and south. Turn right and follow to the metal footbridge over the River Ure and a car park, marked on the map by the A684. Here we are onto the main road, please be careful as it can be busy and there is no footway. Do not take the footpath to Seafa Farm but the next one to Hawthorn. Follow this path, making your way back to Thornton Rust and the car park.

We have a couple of beautiful cottages in Thornton Rust, West Cottage to sleep four and The Bield to sleep six plus up to two well behaved dogs. Have a look for availability on our website or call me, Nadine, or my daughter Joanne, on 01969 663559 for friendly help and advice and to book over the telephone.