Keld (350m) to Reeth (200m)
Distance 11 miles/17.5km – Strenuous - Height Gain 150m/490ft - 6.5 hours
The route stays high and crosses moorland that is scarred from a lead mining industry that disappeared at the end of the 19th century.
Note: There is nowhere to buy food or drink on this route so come prepared.
The wildlife along this walk can be abundant especially if you set off early. Along with rabbits there can be pheasants and even deer. However the route is mainly about archeology and the evidence about man's industrial enterprise in the far north of England. The landscape is forever scarred by the evidence of lead mining.
Departing from Keld at 9:00am we should arrive in Reeth by 3:30pm.
Starting at mile 95 we finish the day at mile 106/107:
From Keld the route climbs past Crackpot Hall and the ruins of Swinner Gill mine workings. 'Crackpot' means 'Deep hole or chasm that is the haunt of crows' not what we would usually associate with this word.
The path crosses the moor (580m) before dropping into Gunnerside Gill (400m) and then up onto Melbecks Moor (550m). From here a broad track descends gradually passing the ruins of Old Gang Smelting Mills to Surrender Bridge (350m) and another smelt mill. The last test of the day is to drop into Cringley Bottom, cross the stream and then continue over the farmland to Reeth.
Reeth is the archetypal Yorkshire dales village: flanked to north and south by mine-scarred valleys and ringed by dry-stone walls. At its heart lies a village green surrounded on all sides by several examples of Yorkshire hospitality: the tearoom and the pub. The village was used for many episodes of All Creatures, Great and Small.
There are a few village shops, cafes and pubs in Reeth.
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