Arncliffe to Kettlewell

Starting point  and OS Grid reference:  Arncliffe village centre (SD 931719)		Ordnance Survey Map OL 30 Yorkshire Dales - Northern and Central areas. Buy this map from List of OS Maps Commission from map sales is used to fund the website, so keeping it free to use.
Distance: 7.25 miles	Date of Walk: 24 February 2011
Ascent: Descent: See Walking Time Calculator	2003ft (611m) 2004ft (611m)
Traffic light rating:    (For explanation see My Walks page)
For advice on .gpx files see My Walks page	Click the PDF logo above to give a printable version of this walk without the photos.

To view route as a dynamic Ordnance Survey map click here.

This walk is now available as a Kindle book. Click the symbol for further details 

Introduction: This walk only  just earns red rather than amber traffic lights due to the fairly steep ascents and descents. You actually do over 2000 feet of climbing/descending overall.

This walk starts in the picturesque Yorkshire Dales village of Arncliffe, made famous in the early days of the TV series Emmerdale when its pub the Falcon Inn was used as a film set. Unfortunately, it hardly ever seems to be open! To get there, drive up Wharfedale through Threshfield and Kilnsey then take the next left to enter pretty Littondale. Arncliffe is the first village. Park in the village centre.

Start: The walk starts from the old village pump. Head north from the pump and take the narrow lane between the cottages. Follow this over the river bridge (River Skirfare). At the ‘T’ junction ( SD 932721) facing you is a gated stile leading into a field and a finger post indicating “Starbotton”. A fairly lung bursting climb then takes you up the field following the wall to the right. Follow the wall round to the right and the path becomes a broad track.

Stay on the track and through a gateway with a metal gate, it opens out on to the heather covered moor. At the crest of the hill, go through a small gate and the path starts to descend.

Part way down the hill, pass through another gateway by a three-way fingerpost and the hamlet of Starbotton is below you. Turn left. The path descends a stony path through trees, eventually becoming a narrow walled track which turns right by a ruined barn. Follow the track down to the river by a footbridge (SD 951745). Do not cross it but turn right following the direction of the fingerpost to Kettlewell.

The footpath becomes a walled lane for a short distance and after crossing over a stream, go through the kissing gate on the left. Stay on the walled track and follow the course of the river emerging by the road bridge just southwest of Kettlewell. Turn right.

If you want refreshments, Kettlewell has several choices including three pubs (a personal favourite is the Kings Head). If you prefer to munch your own sandwiches, there is a bench just by the road bridge or if you walk into Kettlewell, there is a choice of benches by the maypole. Kettlewell is famous for its scarecrow festival. See the village website for details (http://www.kettlewell.info). Public toilets are available in the car park.I

Immediately after crossing the road bridge (with Kettlewell behind you) turn right up a broad cobbled track. A finger post reads “Bridlepath Moor End, Footpath Arncliffe.

A few yards further on take the track on the left heading steeply uphill signposted Arncliffe. At a fork, take the left branch indicated by a wooden post with a green line around it. Head for the gap in the scar (SD 964723) through which the path passes and climb to the hilltop. 

The path descends and going through some trees the path is a little awkward, steep and the limestone can be slippery.

At the road, cross straight over, cross a stone stile and follow the river back to the road. Back over the river bridge into Arncliffe.

If you need to buy any hiking equipment/clothing before your trip see the Hiking Store

All information on this site is given in good faith and no liability is accepted in respect of any damage, loss or injury which might result from acting on it.