Gayle Ing, Thoralby and Aysgarth Falls walking and hiking route
DOWNLOAD WALK PACK
Walk Instructions
Aysgarth’s spectacular waterfalls have attracted
tourists since Victorian times. The location caught
the attention of the Lakeland poet Wordsworth and
the landscape artist Turner as well.
Commence the walk from the lay-by on the A684 just beyond
the George and Dragon walking in a westerly direction. Enter
the secondary road to Thornton Rust, and after leaving the
houses behind seek a large barn on the left and a signpost to
Gayle Ing.
The track, Flout Moor Lane, curves right and arrives at a
junction. For a shortened version turn left (see map),
otherwise keep straight on, following a clear track which
rolls out ahead. Gayle Ing lies within some dark trees some
distance away on the horizon.
Four hundred yards beyond the second gate look for a stone,
step stile on the left and a plaque affixed to the wall. This
relates to a Neolithic site, Castle Dyke Henge, over 4,000
years old!
The henge is a circular grass platform encompassed by an
inner ditch and outer bank. A detour to view the site is worth
the effort.
Keep following the track as it rises steadily, leading through
the domain of curlew, lapwing and skylark amid a verdant
wonderland. Pass through a gate then curve left to another
gate and swing right at once, following some tractor tracks
uphill. A faint green track threads between the reed grass.
As the wall runs away to the right the track heads directly
towards the horizon (Haw Head).
Within minutes the remote farmstead, Gayle Ings, surrounded
by trees comes into view. Aim for the ruined barn and pass
through the stile en-route for Thoralby. Cross the footbridge
and clamber up the opposing bank and pass through a gate,
following a narrow path between the heather. After 50 yards
the path crosses a green swathe before gradually curving left
to pass through a gate some 300 yards distant.
Beyond the gate proceed straight ahead, (wall on the right)
with superb views of Wensleydale and Castle Bolton, to the
left. Bishopdale with the flat topped Penhill and Wassett Fell,
on the right. Ignore a gate on the right, instead pass through
another gate directly ahead and commence the long descent
to Thoralby, walking in an enclosed track known as Haw Lane.
(The optional shorter route merges into Haw Lane much lower
down at a sharp bend). Enter the village and swing left. Pass
the George Inn and the Post Office, then 100 yards beyond
the village boundary leave the road in favour of a narrow lane
on the right. This is Eastfield Lane and is followed all the way
to Eshington Bridge (1883).
Locate a stile to the left of the bridge - signpost Hestholme
Bridge, then accompany Bishopdale Beck through a camping
and caravan site of some size.
Leave the site through a small gate and continue alongside
the beck to the main A684 road, noting the confluence with
Walden Beck along the way. Also, the rocketship and salt cellar
follies across the beck, in the vicinity of a private footbridge.
Turn right, along the road towards Hestholme Bridge. Before
reaching the bridge cross over and use the stile. A field path
leads to the river Ure and the lower and middle falls will
become evident in due course.
The green mounds in the fields are remnants of the Ice Age
10,000 years ago, being piles of debris left by the glaciers.
The path eventually departs from the river and passes
through a copse (stile left corner) and on towards St Andrew’s
church - A detour is recommended if only to see the Rood
Screen, said to have been carried by twenty men, shoulder
high, from Jervaulx Abbey at the Dissolution.
Pass straight through the graveyard (turn right for a view of
the upper falls or if your car is in the large car park) and cross
the meadows towards Aysgarth village.
DOWNLOAD WALK PACK
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.
BACK TO WALKS