22nd June 2024 - Keld and Ivelet Moor
Walk Details
Distance walked: 11.6 miles
Total ascent: 2675 ft
OS map used: OL30 - Yorkshire Dales, Northern & Central areas
Time taken: 7 hrs
Route description: Muker-Kisdon-B6270-Keld-Crackpot Hall-Swinner Gill-Ivelet Moor-Kisdon Scar-Ivelet-Ivelet Bridge-Satron-Gill Head-Oxnop Gill-Crow Trees Farm-High Rash-Gun Ing Lane-Muker
I decided to make the long drive north to Swaledale in the Yorkshire Dales for my walk this weekend. It's just the right time for a visit to Muker to see the wildflower meadows, and there's a lovely summer's day forecast for taking them in. However, I wasn't going to drive all the way to Swaledale to just see the meadows, I had to come up with a route for a full day's walk, hopefully expanding my knowledge of the dale in the process. The route that I came up with, most of which was new to me, took me to Keld using the bridleway across the western side of Kisdon Hill, then south to Crackpot Hall, Swinner Gill, along the side of Ivelet Moor and down to the hamlet of Ivelet. After crossing the River Swale at Ivelet Bridge I visited the hamlet of Satron, then made my way to and across Oxnop Gill before heading back to Muker. The weather certainly made that long drive worthwhile, lots of blue skies and warm sunshine, and great visibility for taking in the views.
From where I parked my car on the side of the road just to the west of Muker I walked into the village, up to and past the cottages to the north of the main road, and onto the track signposted as the public footpath to Keld. I followed this track for a short distance north until I reached another one on the left, and a bridleway that took me uphill, across Kisdon Hill, and down to the B6270 just to the south of Keld. I then walked north along this road and down the lane into Keld (with a detour to Keld Green Cafe first). From Keld I took the bridleway down to and across the River Swale, then the bridleway east above the River Swale until I reached the footpath on the left to Crackpot Hall and Swinner Gill. I followed this footpath to the disused Swinner Gill Lead Mines, then from the ruined buildings took the higher footpath across East Grain, south along the side of Ivelet Moor to Kisdon Scar, and east down to the lane to Ivelet. After walking down the lane through the hamlet of Ivelet to Ivelet Bridge, I crossed the bridge and took the footpath on the left through fields to the hamlet of Satron. On reaching the B6270 I crossed the road and took the lane opposite, walking up this to Gill Head Farm, from where I took a footpath south down through fields and into the woodland around Oxnop Beck. After crossing Oxnop Beck I took the footpath up to the lane on the western side of Oxnop Gill, and walked down this until I reached Crow Trees Farm. I then took the footpath opposite the farm signposted for "The Rash", and followed this west across the hillside down to High Rash, taking the footpath from there west to the bridleway down to Gun Ing Lane. A walk down this bridleway, and along Gun Ing Lane through Muker took me back to where I'd parked my car.
Total ascent: 2675 ft
OS map used: OL30 - Yorkshire Dales, Northern & Central areas
Time taken: 7 hrs
Route description: Muker-Kisdon-B6270-Keld-Crackpot Hall-Swinner Gill-Ivelet Moor-Kisdon Scar-Ivelet-Ivelet Bridge-Satron-Gill Head-Oxnop Gill-Crow Trees Farm-High Rash-Gun Ing Lane-Muker
I decided to make the long drive north to Swaledale in the Yorkshire Dales for my walk this weekend. It's just the right time for a visit to Muker to see the wildflower meadows, and there's a lovely summer's day forecast for taking them in. However, I wasn't going to drive all the way to Swaledale to just see the meadows, I had to come up with a route for a full day's walk, hopefully expanding my knowledge of the dale in the process. The route that I came up with, most of which was new to me, took me to Keld using the bridleway across the western side of Kisdon Hill, then south to Crackpot Hall, Swinner Gill, along the side of Ivelet Moor and down to the hamlet of Ivelet. After crossing the River Swale at Ivelet Bridge I visited the hamlet of Satron, then made my way to and across Oxnop Gill before heading back to Muker. The weather certainly made that long drive worthwhile, lots of blue skies and warm sunshine, and great visibility for taking in the views.
From where I parked my car on the side of the road just to the west of Muker I walked into the village, up to and past the cottages to the north of the main road, and onto the track signposted as the public footpath to Keld. I followed this track for a short distance north until I reached another one on the left, and a bridleway that took me uphill, across Kisdon Hill, and down to the B6270 just to the south of Keld. I then walked north along this road and down the lane into Keld (with a detour to Keld Green Cafe first). From Keld I took the bridleway down to and across the River Swale, then the bridleway east above the River Swale until I reached the footpath on the left to Crackpot Hall and Swinner Gill. I followed this footpath to the disused Swinner Gill Lead Mines, then from the ruined buildings took the higher footpath across East Grain, south along the side of Ivelet Moor to Kisdon Scar, and east down to the lane to Ivelet. After walking down the lane through the hamlet of Ivelet to Ivelet Bridge, I crossed the bridge and took the footpath on the left through fields to the hamlet of Satron. On reaching the B6270 I crossed the road and took the lane opposite, walking up this to Gill Head Farm, from where I took a footpath south down through fields and into the woodland around Oxnop Beck. After crossing Oxnop Beck I took the footpath up to the lane on the western side of Oxnop Gill, and walked down this until I reached Crow Trees Farm. I then took the footpath opposite the farm signposted for "The Rash", and followed this west across the hillside down to High Rash, taking the footpath from there west to the bridleway down to Gun Ing Lane. A walk down this bridleway, and along Gun Ing Lane through Muker took me back to where I'd parked my car.
Route map
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The first of many wildflower filled meadows I'll see today. From the roadside outside Muker.
I leave Muker by taking the footpath to Keld along this track
A lovely summer's morning in Swaledale
Looking back down on Muker and Swaledale as I walk up the bridleway to Kisdon..
Usha Gap Campsite below
Walking up the bridleway to Kisdon
Views back down into Swaledale..
Passing through the gate at the top of the bridleway
The fells at the head of Swaledale, High Seat and Nine Standards Rigg, come into view
To my right, Kisdon Hill, and Rogan's Seat on the right
Heading down the bridleway to the road to Keld
Great views across to the strung out hamlets of Skeugh Head and Angram...
As I make my downhill Keld comes into view ahead..
Onto the road to Keld
At the top of the road down into Keld. Before I walk down it I'm going to visit Keld Green Cafe.
Break had, a few photos of the meadows around Keld...
Leaving Keld I take the bridleway down to the River Swale
Crossing the River Swale
East Gill Force
Looking back to Keld as I take the bridleway east above the River Swale..
..and across to Swaledale west of Keld
Just ahead I'll leave the bridleway for the footpath to Crackpot Hall and Swinner Gill
The view down Swaledale from the ruins of Crackpot Hall
Looking back up Swaledale as I head for Swinner Gill
The view into Swinner Gill opens up as I take the path up along its western side..
Looking back down Swinner Gill to Swaledale
Approaching the ruined buildings of Swinner Gill Lead Mines. When I reach them I'm going to take the upper of the two paths that run across the hillside on the right.
Crossing a dry Hind Hole Beck
At the ruins of the Swinner Gill Lead Mines
Looking back to the head of Swinner Gill and the little bridge over the foot of Hind Hole Beck. The ruins of the buildings are round the corner on the right.
I follow the footpath south across a flat bit of ground above the eastern side of Swinner Gill
A view across Swinner Gill and up Swaledale towards Keld
The footpath takes me downhill and across the wall below
I'm getting an improving view up Swaledale
Making my way south along the hillside and across the woodland at the top of West Arn Gill
The best views up Swaledale were from this section of the path. I could make out Kisdon Force on the River Swale in the distance for a short time.....
Heading south to cross Arn Gill
A last look back up this part of Swaledale between Kisdon Hill and Ivelet Moor
Looking across Swaledale to Muker and the fellside of Muker Common from Ivelet Side
Approaching Kisdon Scar
A view of Muker, Muker Common, and Great Shunner Fell in the distance from Kisdon Scar
I have a great view down Swaledale as I follow the footpath east from Kisdon Scar towards Ivelet
Following the road down into the hamlet of Ivelet..
Crossing the River Swale via Ivelet Bridge..
After crossing Ivelet Bridge I follow a footpath east through fields to the hamlet of Satron..
Satron below as I walk up the road to Gill Head Farm
Higher up and I can see Gunnerside further down Swaledale on the right
and from below Heugh Farm I can see all the way up Swaledale to Great Shunner Fell
I leave the road at Gill Head Farm for a footpath down into Oxnop Gill, and the woodland around Oxnop Beck
Looking across Oxnop Gill
After crossing Oxnop Beck I follow a footpath down through fields
Buttercup filled fields and blue skies above the fellsides around Oxnop Gill. A lovely place to be on a summer's afternoon...
A look back up Oxnop Gill to Oxnop Scar as I walk down the road to Swaledale
Walking down the road into Swaledale
I left the road opposite Crow Trees Farm for a footpath that heads west across the hillside
Making my way past the cottages at High Rash
and then along a footpath next to the meadows of Swaledale
Taking in the view of Swaledale..
I reach the bridleway down a track to Gun Ing Lane and Muker
It's a lovely end to a summer's afternoon in Swaledale
Following the bridleway down to Gun Ing Lane and back to Muker..
