Around Baldersdale
Head across the dam. At the far end, turn sharp left on a gravel track down to the former Youth Hostel of Blackton Grange. Through the yard, follow the ongoing grass track to a junction near Blackton Bridge. Turn right over Hunder Beck and climb through a gate along the Pennine Way.
A short distance along, at a three-way signpost beside the first bend, leave ahead on a path across the hillside. Criss a stile in the corner and bear left across two more pastures before reaching a footbridge over How Sike. Climb towards the far top corner of the next enclosure and walk on parallel to the wall on your right. Maintain the same heading from field to field, passing below West Friar House to reach East Friar House.
Walk on beside a small barn and behind the farmhouse, crossing a track to a wall stile. Carry on across the head of two more fields and then bear half left to a stile beside the lower gate in the far wall. Keep going to pass left of a barn and join the wall downhill to a stile in the bottom corner. Follow a service track right above upper Hury Reservoir to a car park.
Double back left down to the lakes and turn right over the spillway and dam. At the far side, swing left above the lake, rising at the end to a gate beside the dam.
Turn immediately right through a second gate and head half left to a gate in the distant corner. Go right beside old hawthorns, swinging left in the corner alongside another outgrown hedge. Beyond, pass left of a barn and continue beside two more fields, the wall first on your right then the left. A walled drove leads to a footbridge over Blind Beck. Keep ahead across more pastures, following the left wall in the fourth field down to Low Birk Hat. Leave through a gate at the bottom and go right out to a drive.
Turn up right beside Hannah's Meadows. At the top of the second meadow, go left along a wooden walkway to a restored barn containing a display of old farm implements. Leaving the barn, turn left and keep left behind it to climb to a gate in the top corner by High Birk Hat Farm. Walk left through the yard to a gate at the far end. Keep right, skirting behind the barn to a stile tucked in the corner. Bear left to a stile part way up the end wall and cross a final rough pasture back to the car park.
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Been on this walk?
Send us photos or a comment about this route. Or recommend a route of your own.
Walking in Safety
Read our tips to look after yourself and the environment when following this walk.
Get an AA guide
Explore our range of ‘50 Walks in’ guides - they’re the ideal companion for a ramble.
Nearby places to stay
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- Rooms 3
- Free TV
- Wifi
- Open parking






