OS Map Reference: Yorkshire Dales Northern & Central areas (1:25000)
Start Grid Reference: SE 017868
Walk distance: 5.3 miles
Time: 3.5 hours (approx.)
This is a lovely walk from West Burton one of the most beautiful villages in the Dales. The walk takes you down valley of Bishopdale Beck to near New Biggin, then over the hill to come back to the start down the Walden Beck Valley. It is a fairly easy walk that presents you with a real 'Dales' experience.
View West Burton Walk in a larger map
The walk start from the Fox and Hounds Inn - a very nice place to spend the weekend. There is car parking on the road in the Village
From the pub, follow the road out of the village until you reach a track to take you along the valley with Bishopdale Beck at the bottom.
The path is very obvious and, as you walk along, it you are presented with classic views of Dales' fields and their barns.
After the fourth field the path splits. Take the right fork, which leads you away from the wall on your left. After passing across several fields you eventually reach a lane, which comes out just above the village of Newbiggin. There are only dwellings here, but it will only take a couple of minutes to see it.
Here take the track to the left. If you wanted to, you could have left the track earlier to take a path up the hill. Taking the track on the left, it bends to the left. Follow it until you cross a small stream, where the path goes up the hill.
At times the path is not obvious, but if you keep the stream on your right, particularly when you reach the open ground, you will reach the edge of the forest. The path goes into the forest at angle until the road is reached. When I did the walk, the forest was not accessible due to tree felling. However I was able to follow the forest perimeter until the road was reached.
Turn right at the road and follow it for several yards. After a double bend take the path (track) on the left that leads down to Cowstone Gill House.
The path itself leaves the track. Head to the left of the house to find the route beyond. This part of the walk is not obvious. To find the route initially a 1:25000 OS map is important, simply to find the stiles in the stone walls. It is not too long, however, before the path is obvious and you encounter typical Dales' plants and animals as you walk down the valley of Walden Beck.
After several fields, take the path to the right to bring you to the road at Cote Bridge. At the road turn left into the village and if it's the right time of day a pint in the Fox and Hounds.
