A-Walking: Gunnerside to Reeth via Swinner Gill

Our four walks on Sunday, 21st July, each took place in the Swaledale area of North Yorkshire. The A-Walk, B-Walk and C-Walk all started in Gunnerside while the additional D-Walk set off from Reeth. All of the walks finished in Reeth. Following the walking activities members of the Club enjoyed a meal in the Buck Hotel.
 
The A-Walk was led by Jane Thompson - pictured below. There were five walkers in the group; the distance covered was 13.9 miles.
From our drop-off point in Gunnerside, we followed a westerly-going path that took us to Ivelet, Calvert Houses and Ramp Holme Farm. We had some good views of the River Swale as we made our way in the direction of Muker - and on our subsequent northerly trek to Swinner Gill Lead Mines. We stopped here for a short lunch-break and to take in the spectacular views.
 
From the lead mines we climbed up along East Grain in order to reach the high ground near Lownathwaite. Still maintaining our easterly bearing, we descended down to the ruins of the old mines at the confluence of Blind Gill and Gunnerside Gill. Our next climb took us up over the harsh, rocky terrain at Friarfold Hush in order to reach the Old Gang Mines and Level House Bridge. At this point, we changed to a south-easterly bearing and walked along a good track that took us to Surrender Bridge.
 
We stopped just after the old smelting mill (near Cringley Bottom) for a short tea-stop and then continued our south-easterly trek. Following the route of Barney Beck, we made our way to Thiernswood Hall and Healaugh. After passing through the village, we turned right and descended down to the northern bank of the River Swale. From here we walked in an easterly direction in order to reach our final destination in Reeth.
 
Many thanks to Jane for leading a splendid walk.
 
A selection of some of the photos that we took during today's walking expedition can be seen by clicking on the pink button below:

Credits:
Many thanks to Jane Thompson and Phil Barker for taking the photographs.
 

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