The Herriot Way
Distance - 52 miles (84 km)
Start and Finish - SE 005 884 - Aysgarth, N Yorksire
The Herriot Way, unusual in long distance trails, is circular, beginning and ending in the Dales village of Aysgarth and runs through the magnificent scenery of the Yorkshire Dales National Park.
The trail runs north out of Aysgarth and follows the course of the River Ure, until it turns into the village of Askrigg, which was used to film the famous James Herriot TV series. The way then continues through Wensleydale, to the village of Hardraw with its impressive waterfall of Hardraw Force, which drops around 100 feet and is said to be the highest unbroken waterfall in England.
The route then goes onto the market town of Hawes, the largest town on the trail. It then ascends up the side of Great Shunner Fell, the third highest mountain in Yorkshire, following the Pennine Way, to the summit shelter which provides superb views across the surrounding countryside. The trail then descends to Thwaite, from where it skirts the lower slopes of Kisdon before dropping down again to the hamlet of Keld.
From Keld the trail continues to bleak Gunnerside Moor and on to the River Swale at Healaugh, before passing through fields into Reeth and then to Grinton Lodge on the edge of the moors. It then passes through the moorland around Gibbon Hill and runs along the Apedale Road. After passing Dent's Houses the path descends to the village of Castle Bolton and the imposing remains of meduieval Bolton Castle. The trail then passes the scenic Aysgarth Falls before returning to the village of Aysgarth.