From a kissing gate below the car park, a broad track drops into the dene. Go forward at the first junction, but then fork right by a squirrel trailmark to undulate along the valley. Bear right at the next split, rising to continue beside the nature reserve boundary. Ignore a later crossing path and, when houses eventually end, keep ahead alongside a small meadow. At the far end the path curves left, descending steeply to the base of the valley.

Turn left along a trail which emerges from a tunnel beneath the road embankment. Pass through a gate, but after only 20yds (18m), drop right to a footbridge across Castle Eden Burn. Climb determinedly away, turning left at the top to walk back along the valley's southern rim. Before long, the path begins to lose height, shortly crossing a side stream. Lower down, ignore a path branching right and continue downhill to a bridge spanning the burn. Walk forward over a second bridge as the river loops tightly back. The ongoing path climbs to the right, undulating along the narrowing valley to Gunners Pool Bridge, which sits high above the narrowest part of the ravine.

After gazing into the precipitous depths, return to the south bank and continue with the path along the valley side. Beyond another side stream, the way rises once more to the upper rim. Ignore a path dropping back left and carry on to a gate at the edge of the nature reserve, from which there is a glimpse to the castle.

The route, however, remains within the reserve, curving back into the dene. After 300yds (274m) at a junction, bear right to then join a path from below. At the next fork, keep left along Miss Mary's Walk. Not far along, watch for a tree symbol waymark by an indistinct fork and branch off left on an undulating path through yew forest. Eventually, the way rises to join a path along the top of the gorge. Go left, walking for a short time below fields then winding around the head of a side valley to an information board.

Ignoring the path leaving over a stile, go left and descend to a three-way fork. Again keep left, winding steeply downhill to meet a broad trail beside the river, just upstream of Garden of Eden Bridge. 

Turn left, shortly passing two almost-touching boulders known as the Kissing Frog Stones. A little further along, another large boulder sprouting trees is the Devil's Lapstone. After crossing the river over Dungy Bridge, look right to see another fallen boulder, this one supported on stone pillars. The magnesian limestone cliffs are relatively soft and landslips periodically occur. Reaching a fork, bear right to climb along the valley side. At the top, turn sharp right back up to the car park.