This is a short and enjoyable walk with interesting points on route such as Mill Gill Force and Whitfield Force. It’s a relatively easy walk with great views of Wensleydale. However, after heavy rainfall the paths can become muddy and start to deteriorate.
The Route:
The walk begins at Askrigg in Wensleydale. Parking is available in front of Saint Oswald’s Church at the bottom of the high street. There is no parking fee as such but there is an honesty box for donations.
From the parking area walk along Mill Lane with the Church to the left of you for around half a mile.
Take the paved footpath on the right signposted Mill Gill Force across a meadow towards a former saw mill. Walk through the gate and veer right and cross over the small foot bridge, through the gate to the field. The footpath then takes you briefly across a field with views to Addlebrough and through another gate to the woodland which is abundant with flowers and birds.
Follow this woodland path high on the bank with Mill Gill below to the right and the stone wall to your left. You shall reach a fork in the footpath. Follow the sign ‘Mill Gill only’ to reach Mill Gill Force.
Retrace your footsteps back to the fork and follow the alternative route that leads up a steady incline to the top corner of the wood. Exit the wood and walk across the fields of Spenn Rigg, with fantastic views to Bainbridge and Wensleydale.
Walk through the sty to your right and you shall see two footpaths. Take the footpath to the left signposted ‘Whitfield Gill’. Walk along this path following the signpost ‘Askrigg via Low Straits’. Cross the foot bridge and ascend up the steep, stepped, bank of the gill to Low Straights Lane (there is a bench at the top if you need a breather).
Follow this lane for about 1 mile and turn right through the gate signposted ‘Askrigg ½ Mile’. Walk along this footpath through the fields and a couple of squeezer stiles. The path leads you back through a path in between two houses back onto Mill Lane where you can retrace your steps back to the church.
