Countryside of Pateley Bridge

• Varied and interesting scenery
• Pleasant riverside stroll
• Pretty village of Wath

The Nidderdale Way passes through some lovely countryside as it winds its way north up towards the wilder lands of the Upper Nidd. I headed off from Pateley Bridge on the Way to circle the Nabs and then cross the fell side, leaving the way to visit the pretty village of Wath and back down the river to the starting point. It is an area I knew very little about so I set off (map less as it falls outside the 1/25 Explorer series) and I did find the circuit enjoyable and varied. Not knowing what I was about to find meant that the old lead mines at the far end of the Nabs was a pleasant surprise, the large camp site which follows it less so. Wath is an attractive small village on the riverside with the hotel apparently one of the most popular wedding and function venues for the Harrogate set. The stroll back alongside the river to Pateley Bridge is also very pleasant and completes the walk in a relaxed and satisfactory way. As I write this I cannot help thinking I am using such terms as pleasant, nice, enjoyable which really sums up the walk; it is fine and gives an excellent introduction to this relatively unspoilt area. Not being in the Dales (classed as an area of AONB) appears to have done Pateley Bridge and Nidderdale no harm and it is a valley which should be explored and enjoyed for what it is; pleasant, nice, enjoyable…..

Recommend: Explore Pateley Bridge, there are some interesting shops and the parking is cheap.

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© Crown copyright 2010 Ordnance Survey. Image produced from the Ordnance Survey Get-a-map service. Image reproduced with kind permission of Ordnance Survey and Ordnance Survey of Northern Ireland.

OS Map:	O/S 1.25,000. 298 Nidderdale, Fountain's Abbey, Ripon & Pateley Bridge
Start Point:	Cross the bridge over the River Nidd, take a right turn where the public footpath sign is just past the children's play area.
Terrain:	Mainly on good bridleways, the only intermittent path is the climb up to Heathfield farm - just head straight up!
Eating & Drinking:	Pateley Bridge is an attractive town with a good choice of places to eat and drink. Th price of parking is very reasonable and a credit to the own authorities, shame on you in the National Parks or on National Trust land
Similar Walks Nearby:	Discovering the Upper Nidd Beautiful River Nidd below Pateley Bridge The Lost World of Dallowgill
Places to Stay:	Lyndale GH, Pateley Bridge