Hawes to Muker via Great Shunner Fell and Pennine Way

Walk 4 - A relatively straightforward but high level walk with spectacular distant views which can only be undertaken on summer Sundays when the 830 Northern DalesBus is running or alternatively booking the Little White Bus on-demand service. 10 miles. 5 hours. Seewww.dalesbus.org for detail. Back to Swaledale

Cairn on the descent from Great Shunner Fell

Start from the Dales Countryside Museum car park in Hawes. On leaving the footpath up to the old railway bridge turn right along the road for a short while. Then bear left through a gate onto the Pennine Way which is a flagged footpath running alongside the road. Rejoin the road and cross the River Ure. Immediately on the other Side of the bridge turn left to cross the fields. Pass through a gap stile and follow the well defined path towards Hardraw. The path emerges in the village alongside the bridge and in front of the Green Dragon.

Turn left to cross the bridge. Immediately past the old school turn right along the Pennine Way track. Follow the track uphill. After 1 mile passing through a gate take the left fork in the track. Continue uphill and after a further gate take the right hand fork. The path continues for a further 2 miles to reach the summit wind break and trig point. From this point it is possible to see the northern Pennines. Birkdale Tarn and Tan Hill Inn can be seen to the north with the Three Peaks to the south.

Distant view of Ingleborough

After leaving the wind break take the well defined path in the same direction as it curves its way downhill into Swaledale. There is a cairn an impressive view looking along the length of Swaledale towards Reeth and Fremington Edge. The path becomes a track passing through a gate. Approximately 1/2 mile after the gate turn right through a gate in the wall (easily missed) which leads quickly to a gap stile and then downhill to Straw Beck. Follow the beck through another stile to emerge on the road into Thwaite. It doesn't matter if this cut off is missed as the track will lead down to the road anyway a little further up. Turn right and if time permits call in at Kearton Tea Room in Thwaite for refreshment.

Muker

On leaving the tea room bear left and at the end of the dead end road look for a gap stile and a path to the rear of the buildings. The path soon splits but continue straight on towards Muker. There are three further gap stiles before crossing over the beck. Look for a gaps stile in the wall immediately across the beck and resist the temptation to follow the beck. Now on the far side of the wall follow the path to Usha Gap emerging at the main road near the bridge. Continue along the road for a short while and turn left through the farmyard and campsite. At the rear of the campsite pass through a gap stile and progress quickly through 6 fields to reach the rear of Muker. Pass through the gate into the village. The bus leaves from outside the Farmers Arms whether traveling to Richmond or via Hawes.


Kearton Tea Room	Muker

Important note:- Whilst the author has taken every care in assembling the information on this site, no responsibility can be accepted for any error or omission herein. If in any doubt walkers should consult the relevant OS map.

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This page was last updated on 23-Apr-2020