A stroll in Arkengarthdale

Arkengarthdale is a quiet side valley of Swaledale, joining the main valley close to Reeth. This short walk visits the compact village of Langthwaite, runs along the valley bottom close to Arkle Beck, before returning to Langthwaite through impressive woods at the base of Langthwaite Scar. In amongst the trees you will see signs of the Lead mining that once dominated the valley.

Ascent: 200 feet/ 60 metres
Length: 1.4 miles/ 2.2 km
Map: OS Explorer Map 30 Yorkshire Dales: North and Central
Last Walked: 27 August 2006

There is a car park just south of Langthwaite.

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Turn right out of the car park, and head up the road along Arkengarthdale, past a series of cottages on your right.

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Turn right across the bridge over Arkle Beck into Langthwaite. Just over the bridge you will enter a triangular courtyard, surrounded by tightly packed buildings. Continue through this courtyard.

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Just past the courtyard, turn left into a short lane that leads straight to open fields. Follow the path through the next four fields, with the Arkle Beck to your left and impressive woods above you to the right.

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Scar House will come into sight as you cross the fields. Our path passes to the left of the smaller farmhouse to the left of the hall. Turn right the drive leading towards Scar House, then continue along a footpath that heads past the house to the left.

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As you climb past Scar House look out for a path that turns sharply right into the woods behind the house. Turn onto that path, and follow it south, behind Scar House and then along the edge of the woods back to Langthwaite.

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Just after the end of the woods the path joins the lane from Langthwaite to Booze. Turn right and head downhill back into Langthwaite. Continue back through the village, over the bridge and turn left back to the car park.