Villages of Wharfedale walk

The villages of Wharfedale walk visits the quintessentially Dales villages of Hebden, Burnsall, Linton and Thorpe before returning to Grassington. The walk combines riverside walking with quiet lanes and footpaths and great views across this section of Wharfedale.

The Walk

There are two parts to this walk, both are hugely enjoyable and when combined make for an excellent walk. Initially the walk visits four, small but attractive villages. Thereafter the route returns alongside the banks of the River Wharfe via the Dales Way offering some of the best riverside walking in the Yorkshire Dales. Grassington is the obvious place to start the walk. Head down to Linton Falls from the National Park car park and then climb towards Linton and the open fields. Apart from anything else it gets the climbing out of the way early.

I gave myself extra time on the walk so that I could explore each village. Each one has its own character. Linton has an excellent pub set next to a village green. Thorpe is the quietest, unspoilt and all the better for it. Burnsall is busier, superbly set on the river whilst Hebden has tons of character and a sense of history. The area north from the village green, up Hebden Beck is lovely. Finally the large town of Grassington has recently found even more fame with much of the recent James Herriot TV series filmed in and around the square.

Recommend

Remember to watch out for the stepping stones near Linton Church. The middle one is missing so it is either a wetting or the diversion to the Falls along the northern bank. The latter should be preferred.

Navigation Tips for the Villages of Wharfedale walk

The walk from Linton to Burnsall crosses many fields and therefore many stiles. Remember on a map if the shorter green dashes meet a wall it is likely to be a stile, longer green dashes are bridlepaths and therefore likely to be gates.