Aysgill Force, Hawes

 Directions to Aysgill Force:

(Walk instructions should be used in conjunction with a map)

APRIL 2024 ROUTE UPDATE: There are currently extreme mud conditions around the falls thanks to the unprecedented rainfall of the last 18 months. Therefore, given the steep unguarded drop by the falls, it is not advisable to walk this route. Try one of our other Wensleydale routes until the paths dry up and condition improves.

1. We began this walk at the bridge in Hawes, where you can take in the view of the waterfalls of Gayle Beck. At the bridge, keeping the waterfalls on your left (as if you are walking into the market place of Hawes), walk along the cobbled main road for a very short distance, until you see the butchers on your right. Shortly after on your left, there are some steps that lead upwards to a cobbled path. It leads through some cute cottages, and then heads leftwards along another cobbled access lane, leading up towards St Margaret’s Church.

2. At the church, take the path, that heads left and around the back of the church. It will lead you to a mini path crossroads, which is signposted. You need to take the path signposted Pennine Way FP Gayle 1/4 mile. It heads diagonally leftwards, and roughly follows the line of Gayle Beck, which will be on your left. This path is paved, and well defined. There is a narrow stone ‘squeeze’ accompanied by a gateway before the path leads you alongside the Wensleydale Creamery on your right. You will then reach Gayle Lane (a road). If you have used the Gayle Lane pay and display car park, you can cut out the beginning of this walk, by simply walking up the road to this point. Although, the waterfalls in the middle of Hawes where we started are definitely worth a look, particularly after wet weather!

3. Turn left and walk along the pavement for approximately 250 yards. You will reach the bridge at Gayle, where you will see some more cateract waterfalls in the beck. The footpath leads along the near side (right hand side) of the beck, through some more cute cottages and along a cobbled path. It then heads a little way up the residential road (these roads are access roads, and are quiet). After 200 yards, you will see a stone stepped stile, marked by a mosaic candle. There is a metal kissing gate at the top. Head through this.

4. The wide grassy path heads across the field, heading in a rough diagonal right direction until you reach another stile. This is marked by a signpost. You need to take the path signposted Aysgill Force. This is the left of the two paths leading from this point. After a short distance you will see a waymarker post, with two yellow arrows. At this point, you need to take the arrow pointing diagonally left, and head down the stepped path.

5. The path heads to the edge of the beck, through a gap, a gate and then around the edge of a wall. It then more or less follows the beck, all the way to the waterfall. The path here can get muddy in places! It, heads right next to the waterfall. There is no path that leads to the base, but you can get a great view from the little wooden bridge right next door! APRIL 2024 UPDATE TO INSTRUCTION 5: Whilst there is a previous warning of mud, after the unprecedented rainfall of 2023-2024 the mud next to the falls has become extremely muddy and slippery next to the unguarded drop.

6. After the bridge, head up the stepped path and keep alongside the beck. The path here is flagged and is obvious. At the first footbridge, you will see a large signpost on your right. Take the path, signposted public footpath, that heads straight on. Do not cross the beck, you need to stay on this side.

7. The footpath continues to follow the line of the beck, and takes you past a barn. At approximately 200 yards after the barn, the path begins to leaves the side of the beck and then soon after joins a wide farm track. This is your furthest point and you will make a turn to the right, that almost feels like you are doubling back on yourself! But don’t worry, you aren’t!

8. After making the sharp right onto the farm track, head slightly upwards to the gate in the wall. Head through this and turn right and continue along the wide track. It has a wall on the right, and a wire fence on the left. P.S. The views along this track back along Wensleydale are beeeeeaautiful!

9. The track heads through several gates, and passes some farm buildings. After a mile, it eventually turns into a roughly tarmacked access track (the access road to the farm). Here, after a short distance, you will see a signpost on your right pointing Pennine Way FP West End 1/4 mile. Head through the little wooden gate in the wall. Follow the path.

10. After a short distance, you will find yourself back at the large signpost you encountered at the start of the walk, this time take the path signposted Gayle, that takes you back across the field you walked on at the start, back to the candle mosaic and then you need to head back to the bridge in Gayle, and reverse the route you made at the start back into Hawes!

Last walked August 2023.