There are two routes from Keld to Reeth – the high route across the moors to the north of the Swale or the valley floor. The former has good views and interesting lead mining works and the latter is a beautiful riverside walk with pleasant villages and pubs at Muker and Gunnerside. For the low route take the path from the edge of the square in Keld. The path goes high above the river and then descends towards the river. Good view down Swaledale from here. The path becomes a very pleasant grass path through fields, broken down walls and past old barns to reach Rampsholme Bridge (can make a diversion across the fields to Muker). Continue alongside the river, over meadows to eventually reach the road at Ivelet Bridge. Up hill and past the estate office to Shore Gill and across a series of fields to Gunnerside (King’s Head). Leave Gunnerside and cross a succession of small fields through gated stiles to the river. Meet a road at a bend in the river and Rowleth House. Cross a large field and a stream and then into a rough wooded area to reach Isles Bridge. Pass through Low Houses to reach a pleasant track running high above the river to Low Whita and the road at Scabba Wath Bridge. Continue straight ahead signposted to Grinton climbing up the road through an area of gorse bushes until a stone wall leaves the road to the left at a fingerpost. Follow the wall down and then up again to continue high above the Swale. Eventually the path drops down to a gate and stile at the water’s edge. Continue along the riverside path to Reeth Swing Bridge which is crossed to reach Reeth.
A very pleasant, beautiful
and easy day's walking.
Accommodation
Stay in Reeth - I am staying at our cottage
For accommodation follow Sherpa Van link
Signed up for this day: David Brawn, Keith Case, Nigel Williams, Jayne Lester, Ruth Boyson, Stuart Emmerson
Some notes on the day
Left Reeth by the 10.54 bus for Keld. Decided to cross over the river and continue down the valley towards Muker. Dave was immediately in difficulty and couldn’t breathe on the inclines. Eventually he stopped at Muker and waited for the 3.30pm bus back to Reeth. Glorious day, lovely weather, bright sunshine, warm. Nigel, Jayne and myself carried on beyond Muker without Dave and reached Gunnerside by the low route through the valley where we met Ruth and Stu who had started out before us as they thought they were going to be slow. Spent quite a lot of time sitting outside the Kings Head waiting for food but it was very pleasant. Continued along the normal route along the river which involved a bit of roadwork at the end towards Healaugh. Got back to Reeth just as Dave was getting in a taxi to go off to Catterick Military hospital. Very soon returned with antibiotics having been told that he was nearly hospitalised with bronchitis and a chest infection.
Accomodation
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