On a very grey day some friends and I had organised a walk from Hawes. The day was so miserable if I hadn’t had anything planned I would just have hunkered down with a good book! But, as is always the case, once we got going our pace became more purposeful, our chatter more excited and we were thoroughly enjoying ourselves and grateful to be outside in this wonderful part of the world.
A lovely walk, about four and a half miles, as always wonderful views and plenty to find in Hardrow to break your journey if you wish. Please do, as always, plan your route beforehand, wear appropriate clothing and footwear and even though you may be planning to stop in Hardraw for a while, take drinks and snacks.
We met at the Dales Countryside Museum carpark in Hawes, pay and display there or street park, and found our way onto Burnt Acres Road to Hardraw. If you look on the map you will see there are footpaths where you can walk by the side of the road for a little way, walk on the road again, walk on a footpath then out onto the road, over the bridge and just as the hill starts there is a finger post on the right. Take this footpath. Over a funny little bridge, through fields, briefly out onto Bellow Hill but ever upwards till you come out onto the road leading to the tiny hamlet of Sedbusk.
Once in Sedbusk look out for a footpath off to your left. Take this and walk on the level through fields on a well walked path to Simonstone and Moorside road. Walk past Simonstone Hall Hotel to the two bungalows on your left. Here you will see a finger post off to the left down into Shaw Gill Wood, take this and walk carefully down into the wood. Loads of autumn leaves covered our path, golden, beautiful, full of colour, magical and soon little waterfalls came into view. We did a loop in the wood, going north west, over the wooden bridge and then back down the other side and back up the same footpath to the road to walk to Simonstone Hall Hotel again. Just before the hotel there is a footpath off to the right. Go over the cattle grid, or the ladder stile, and follow the path all the way down to Hardraw.
At the Green Dragon you can take a break, you can even go and look at Hardraw Force, the longest freefall waterfall in the country. Peep in the church if open, quite tiny but well worth a look. Over the bridge there is a cafe and a little way further on you will find Andrea Hunter’s workshop ‘Focus on Felt’, wonderful work done in felt. But when you’re ready, ever onward, back to the bridge, to walk past the telephone box on the south east side of Hardraw Beck. Through the gate in front of you, onto the flag stoned footpath and follow the path through the fields to come out on Burnt Acres Road again. Turn right and retrace your steps to the Dales Countryside Museum. Great coffee and cafe at Stage I Cycles in the Firebox Cafe in DCM
If you’d like to stay in Hawes we have two beautiful cottages, Cartwheel Cottage to sleep three plus a dog and Burnside View to sleep four and, of course, lots more cottages in Wensleydale to choose from if you wish. Call me Nadine or my daughter Joanne on 01969 663559 for friendly help and advice or book online. Hear from you quite soon!
Written By Nadine Bell