A riverside ramble walking and hiking route

Walk Instructions

Start Point

1. From Bell End’s car park entrance turn right and walk along the minor road, enjoying the picturesque views from the roadside, south-east towards North Dale.

2. About 500 yards from Bell End look for a footpath sign on the left of the road pointing to the right (Grid Ref 722 971). Turn right and go over the stile beside the gate and follow the track steeply downhill between the trees (Bell Plantation). At the bottom cross the stile then down and right through the gates over the stream (Northdale Beck) via the wooden footbridge then bear right and follow the path running parallel with the stream to your right.

3. Continue along the path from field to field via gates and a variety of stiles. In parts the path is a bit vague, but as long as you don’t stray too far away from the beck you can’t go wrong. (After prolonged rain this section can become very muddy in parts!).

4. Where the houses of Rosedale Abbey begin to come into view, go through a gate, then continue along the edge of the local sports field, then go through another gate at the far end, before emerging at the back of the Milburn Arms Hotel at Grid Ref. 752 960.

5. On reaching a minor road, turn right and walk down past the entrance to the hotel. Cross the road at the junction, over to the village green - continue on past the shop and tea rooms.

6. Immediately opposite the tea rooms you will see a gate to a path leading round the back of the church through the grave yard. Take this path bearing left round to the front of the church, heading for the gate to the church yard opposite the main door.

7. Just past the far end of the school buildings, look over the stone wall towards the church on your right. You’ll see all that remains today of the old abbey- a ruinous, winding stone staircase.

8. Almost opposite the entrance gate to the church grounds is a footpath sign for ‘Thorgill’ and ‘The Inn Way’. Follow it, going through a kissing gate, and then bear right along the surfaced road leading through the caravan site past the site play area, obeying the white public footpath signs, until you reach an old stone well on your left (Waterhouse Well).

9. Leave the caravan site on the right, opposite the well, again following the Public Footpath notices via a metal gate leading into a field at Grid Ref 720 961. Follow the field path alongside the fence and hedge enjoying the lovely views through the trees to the left, across the dale, up high towards Hob Crag.

10. The path begins to lead gently downhill towards the River Seven, then enters a small wood via a gate (GR 716 965). Ignore a footbridge to the left which crosses the river, and also a set of wooden duckboards which go on ahead - instead, take the narrow path to the right, leading uphill through the trees.

11. At the top, the path bears right and goes up a few steps, then continues on ahead through a wooded area then a gate. Go through the gate and then go straight ahead following the right hand edge of the field to a gate which leads you back to Bell End Farm.

Disclaimer: This route was correct at time of writing. However, alterations can happen if development or boundary changes occur, and there is no guarantee of permanent access. These walks have been published for use by site visitors on the understanding that neither HPB Management Limited nor any other person connected with Holiday Property Bond is responsible for the safety or wellbeing of those following the routes as described. It is walkers' own responsibility to be adequately prepared and equipped for the ‎level of walk and the weather conditions and to assess the safety and accessibility of the walk.