YORKSHIRE SQUARE WALK WENSLEYDALE CHALLENGE WALK
With Mark Reid FRGS – author of ‘The Inn Way’ & Mountain Leader
Middleham – Leyburn – Bolton Castle – West Burton – Coverdale
38 km (24 miles) – 800 metres of ascent – 11 hours
The Yorkshire Square Walk was first devised in 1999 by Mark Reid as a challenge walk to celebrate the launch of Black Sheep Brewery’s Yorkshire Square Ale and also raise money for Marie Curie Cancer Care. Successfully held for three years, this challenge walk then fell by the wayside due to the 2001 Foot & Mouth crisis.
Mark Reid re-launched this fantastic challenge walk in 2014, and now offers it as a 1-day guided challenge walk, with Mark leading the way and sharing his knowledge of the Yorkshire Dales with you. The route takes in the beautiful rolling countryside of Wensleydale, with castles, waterfalls, villages and wonderful views along the way. The highest point is the moorland ‘pass’ between the valleys of Walden and Coverdale (485 metres), but for most of the route the walk follows field, woodland and riverside paths walking from village to village.
Highlights include: Leyburn Shawl, Redmire Church, Bolton Castle, Carperby, Aysgarth Falls, West Burton, Height of Hazely moorland pass, Coverdale, Braithwaite Hall, Hullo Bridge and Middleham Castle
It is a demanding walk due to its length (38 km / 24 miles) and so must be approached with preparation and training, but it is also an rewarding walk that will be remembered for many years.
Mark Reid knows Wensleydale like the back of his hand and will guide you around this route (whilst also sharing his knowledge of the area), so that you can forget about navigating and concentrate on enjoying the walk and raising money for your chosen charity instead!
This guided walk is designed for solo or small groups of walkers who want to take on the Yorkshire Square Walk, but don’t want to worry about route finding.
- Fully guided walk with Mark Reid (Mountain Leader)
- Experience the camaraderie of walking a challenge route with other like-minded walkers
- Discover the history, heritage, flora and fauna of Wensleydale
- Share your sense of achievement with your fellow walkers
- Small group sizes – maximum 8 people per walk
- You are GUARANTEED not to get lost on our guided walk!
OUTLINE OF THE DAY
7:30am: Meet at Middleham; briefing, gear check and weather forecast.
7:45am – 7pm: Fully guided walk around the Yorkshire Square Walk
7pm: Debrief back at Middleham, then head home
NB: Finish time is approximate
