Gunnerside Gill
Gunnerside Gill is located in Swaledale and is the home of the ruins of a once thriving lead mining area.
Now, you’ll find a ghost town of ruins reclaimed by nature, abandoned mine shafts, machinery and waterfalls.
An epic adventure!
Have you heard of Gunnerside Gill?
If you want to feel like a real explorer then this is the walk for you, but I am not going to beat about the bush, whilst this version is family friendly, it is long.
So, pack up your full snack arsenal, the kids are going to need it to get around this one, although with abandoned ruins, waterfalls, paddle spots and more, this one has PLENTY to keep the family entertained!
Check out the details below!
Walk details for Gunnerside Gill
Distance: 10 miles upwards (this will vary dependant on how much exploring you end up doing)
Terrain: A varied terrain. Some steep ascent, mostly easily identifiable paths and tracks. There are some steep unguarded drops (but this can be avoided if desired)
Parking: Honesty box car park at Gunnerside
Public Transport: there is a bus service that runs to Gunnerside, but this is subject to a seasonal timetable, so check out the Dales Bus website for more information.
Dog Friendly? Yes but be aware that this walk is full of abandoned tunnels, and ruins.
Location: Gunnerside, Swaledale (North Eastern Yorkshire Dales)
Map: OL30 Northern and Central Yorkshire Dales
What 3 Words: nicer.tenders.requests (main ruins)
Toilets/ Baby Change: There are no public toilets, but there is a pub located in Gunnerside.
Nearest Cafe/ Amenities: Gunnerside for pub/ cafe. Reeth and Muker are nearby too.
Walking into the ruins of Gunnerside Gill
How to walk the Gunnerside Gill circular
Directions
Beginning at the Gunnerside honesty box car park, head north into the village, keeping the water of Gunnerside Beck on your right. Ahead along the road you will see the old Smithy, which dates back to around 1795, the path heads left up the green grassy hill on it’s left, to a public footpath sign at the top, and a wooden gate. Head through this.
Follow the yellow way-marker arrow in the field beyond as the path skirts behind the properties on your left. There is then a further marker on the telegraph pole ahead, head behind this and the path loosely heads diagonally up the hillside, until it joins the main bridleway, which is a wide stony track, wide enough for vehicles. When you reach this, you need to turn right and follow it along the western edge of Gunnerside Gill. Warning: There were cows on this path at the time of walking.
You will stay on this track for 1.5 miles (ignoring any offshoots down to the edge of Gunnerside Beck at this point). At Botcher Gill Gate, the road heads around to the left, following the contour of the gill. The track goes through a gate, and you will see a waterfall in the depths of the gill. It’s pretty, but sadly not accessible, so appreciate from a distance! The track continues over the beck, and up the other side. You will soon see a signpost on your right pointing ‘public footpath and public bridleway’. You need to follow the public bridleway sign.
The path continues around the edge of the gill and will slowly descend to the footbridge and a hub of lead mine ruins - pictured above. You will pass North Hush (hushing is an old lead mining technique of using flooding or torrential water to reveal the mineral veins, it has left scars on the landscape that are visible to this day) and as you head down to the footbridge and waterfall, you have an option.
You can cut the walk a little short here, and trim off half a mile by simply jumping to step 6. Or you can continue a little further up the gill for another waterfall and ruin. For the latter, you need to head on the path that continues along the left hand side of the gill. It is narrow, and it has steep drops to your right. Below you, you will see a waterfall and you need to cross the water above this after around a quarter of a mile. There are more ruins to explore on the far side of the gill, and when you have, head back along the eastern side of the gill, until the ruins and footbridge appear again. Now take the offshoot path, that winds steeply back down to the footbridge and waterfall.
Head to the far end of the ruins of Blakethwaite Smelt Mill, and take the little stone steps that descend from there to a narrow footpath heading along the edge of the water of the beck. After about a quarter of a mile, the path ascends the scree of the Friarfold and Gorton Hushes, but you can take a detour briefly to the opposite side of the beck to go and explore the entrance to the Priscilla Level which has an abandoned mining cart outside it.
Back on the rising path, you will eventually see the cairns at the ruins of the Bunting Level, which was the main access to the workings on the east side of Gunnerside Gill. There is a signpost pointing to Gunnerside, along a wide stony track, and this is your route. Head south along the track until you reach another large stony cairn. Here, there is a waymarker. You need to take the right fork, labelled public footpath, which will take you downhill to more ruins. After passing through a stone stile in the wall, you will see the ruins of the old mine shop on your right. You need to cross the beck to reach this, and further up, the Sir Francis Level.
Once explored, head back across the beck to the path and continue along the eastern side of the Gill, keeping the water to your right.
You will shortly see the ruins of the Sir Francis Dressing Floor on your left and then continue along the path into Birkbeck Wood. At all times the path is clear and easy to follow and is well walked and way-marked. Keep the water to your right all the way back towards the village of Gunnerside. After around a mile, you will reach the buildings of the village. The path heads around the back of a building, then through a gate. At the end of that path, descend the steps, turn left along the track and head back into Gunnerside.
Last walked September 2022
The Priscilla Level
Ruins on the eastern edge of the gill
Looking across to the old mine shop
The cairn at the ruins of the Bunting level
The waterfall at the furthest point of the walk
What’s cool for kids at Gunnerside Gill?
💦 Waterfalls and paddle spots! At the footbridge there is an excellent waterfall with pool underneath it, which is easily accessible for little ones (and big ones who may prefer a dip!) This bit of the walk is a popular stop off spot for those walking the Gill (although, not nearly as busy as some of the other watery wonders in Swaledale, probably due to the 8 mile round trip to get to it!) Be aware that wild water can be dangerous, can be cold and can be fast flowing after heavy rain. Never EVER dive into a pool that you don’t know the depth of, and this one felt far too shallow for jumps. Dips and paddles at best! Check out our wild swimming with kids blog for more safety information and links to great resources to find out more.
🏰 Super cool ruins. There are loads of info boards up all around the ruins of Gunnerside Gill, so check those out, and check out the ruins! There are some tunnels to peer in (although we do not recommend entering without knowledge and specialist equipment), and loads to provoke the imagination. So cool, with history in spades!
📚 Speaking of history, here’s a brief potted history. The lead mining industry began working there in the 1700’s finishing in the late 1800’s when the industry declined in the area. The remains of the buildings are scheduled monuments, and represent some of the best preserved mining buildings in the area.
🍻 Enjoy a pint at the Kings Head pub, which is located right at the end of this walk.
🧒 If you need a little help with the walking whinge factor, why not try one of our whinge busting walking games!
Helpful Information!
⭐ We hope you enjoy our walks, but please exercise common sense as routes can change with the weather conditions and seasons! The routes have been walked by our own two feet, but you know your own limits. Always take a back-up map, don’t rely on GPS alone, wear appropriate clothing for the weather and take adequate snacks and refreshments with you (although as a parent, I know you already know that bit!)
⭐ Leave no trace! Take nothing away and leave nothing behind, take all rubbish home with you.
⭐ If you choose to paddle, be aware of bio security. Always wear clean dry water shoes (if worn) to avoid cross contamination of species between watercourses, this is a particular issue in the Yorkshire Dales, to help protect the white clawed crayfish.
⭐ If you decide to paddle, be aware that wild water can be dangerous, and water levels will vary season to season. Always supervise children around water. Check out the safety information on the Royal Life Saving Society website.
⭐ Old mine shafts are dangerous and can be prone to collapse. Do not enter the tunnels.
Are you a fan of Swaledale?
We are too!
So we have loads of walks in the area! Why not try a walk to the Keld waterfalls down the road?
That walk is packed with paddle spots and swim spots, perfect for a water lover!
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