This walk is a great walk which keeps mainly to the lower ground along the Arkle Beck and finishing off with a lovely stroll along the River Swale. A perfect choice if you are not in the mood for a hard uphill hike!
The Route:
I started at the Bridge Inn at Grinton in Swaledale. From the pub turn right in the direction of Fremington over the bridge. When you pass the Dales Bike Centre cross the road and walk past the bus stop and around the bend.
On the left you shall notice a lane heading up to High Fremington. When you reach the houses at the top of the lane keep right and follow the grassy path keeping the stone wall to your right. This grassy path reaches a narrow road, turn right up the hill.
After a couple of minutes you follow the bridleway on your left signposted to Langthwaite. This bridleway leads you through a small wood with the Arkle Back flowing below. You shall reach a fork in the footpath, take the left path and continue following this path through the gates of Castle Farm House and down to the bridge over Arkle Beck.
Once over the bridge follow the path through the gate and after about 10 metres take the footpath to the right across a number of fields and a number of styles. Be aware these fields can become water logged after heavy rainfall, I’d definitely recommend gaiters!
Eventually you reach West Raw Croft Farm on your right and a cross road of footpaths. Go straight ahead across the fields leading you back to the Arkle Beck. When you reach the bridge take the path up the steps and through the gate across a small graveyard to the small hamlet of Arkle Town.
As you exit the hamlet turn right towards Langthwaite and after 20 or so metres you shall see a footpath on the left signposted towards Fore Gill. Follow this path, you shall begin to gain height gradually. You shall pass a private caravan park on your right and eventually a house also to your right with Fore Gill Beck below to your left. Then the path descends to a small valley which is quite a wind tunnel! Keep the stone wall on your left until you reach a gate. Go through this gate and continue right until you reach For Gill Gate.
At Fore Gill gate there are two paths. Follow the one to the right which eventually leads you to a narrow tarmacked road with residential houses. The hamlet of Healaugh is visible below. Follow this road down to Healaugh and turn left once in the centre of the hamlet in the direction of Reeth. As you near the exit of the village you shall notice the guest house on your right and a footpath directing you down through the meadow field to the River Swale. Follow this footpath until you reach the river and then turn left. Follow this riverside path until you reach the fork in the path. Take the right path, through the gate to the Swing Bridge. Cross the Swing Bridge and follow the footpath signposted to Ginton.
The footpath will reach a country lane, follow the lane to the right, which will take you past St Andrews Church on your left and back to the Bridge Inn at Grinton.
