Moors at the centre
From the car park, go right, turning right again beside Puddleducks along a surfaced track. At the end, by some cottages, continue over a stile beside the river. After 70yds (64m), leave through a kissing gate from which a stepped path climbs a wooded bank to a stile.
Gradually diverging from the right fence, head across fields to meet a tarmac track near Beatrix. Go left. Some 70yds (64m) beyond a cattle grid, leave on a bend through the second of two gates on the left. Climb away by the left fence across moorland grazing, later falling to a gate. Drop through trees into Oxenhurst Clough and rise steeply from the stream through larch. Beyond the trees, carry on through a couple of gates and continue by the right fence of a final field to a track.
Follow it left for 0.75 miles (1.2km), eventually passing cottages at Burn House. Just after a right bend, branch off left across a field towards conifers. Bear right through the trees and then right again to leave over a stile near a wind turbine. Head half-left towards the right corner of more trees. Over a stile, cross a track and continue with the plantation on your left. Climb to another stile and cross a final field to a lane opposite cottages at Laythams. Go left.
Walk for 300yds (274m), taking the second track off left – a bridleway to Burnside Cottage. Through gates, head slightly right to bypass the house. Walk on above a stream, soon dropping across to continue beside its opposite bank. Through a gate at the top corner, the path rises right, later swinging left in a steady climb above the Dunsop Brook valley. Reaching marsh, keep ahead parallel to a wall. Continue for another 300yds (274m) to find a gate on the left, near a circle of stones to the right.
Through the gate, bear half-right across heather moor, soon crossing the watershed into Whitendale. Later joining a track, wind down through a gate to a junction by a wall above Whitendale Farm.
Take the path off left beside the wall, contouring above the river for 0.75 miles (1.2km). Beyond a couple of footbridges at the foot of Costy Clough, watch for a stile from which a path zigzags to the valley floor. Follow a track left.
At the end, swing right over consecutive bridges and follow a metalled drive past waterworks buildings. Continue down the valley for 1.5 miles (2.4km), passing Bishops House.
Shortly beyond a cattle grid, look for a bridge spanning the river. Continue right to pick up your outward route and head back to the village.
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Been on this walk?
Send us photos or a comment about this route. Or recommend a route of your own.
Walking in Safety
Read our tips to look after yourself and the environment when following this walk.
Get an AA guide
Explore our range of ‘50 Walks in’ guides - they’re the ideal companion for a ramble.
Nearby places to stay
View all (8)
- Private garden
- Washing machine
- Sky or freeview
- En suite
- Total units: 1
- Private garden
- Washing machine
- Sky or freeview


