Swinner Gill and Gunnerside
10.0 miles
6h 56mins (including lunch stop)
514m gross ascent
This walk is mostly easy going on wide tracks with the exception of the stretch along Swinner Gill and East Grain. Park at Muker and then walk up past the church, between some cottages and then out across open fields. When you reach the river turn sharp right back on yourself to cross to the other side via an impressive but narrow bridge. Follow a wide track for around a mile and when this begins to veer left climb up right on a narrow path that takes you high up along the steep sides of Swinner Gill. At the old lead workings head up East Grain and onto the wide 'shooting track' at the top. Follow the track across Lownathwaite and, if it is spring, watch out for an orgy of frogs in a fenced off pool to the left shortly before a gate. When we were there in early April there were literally hundreds of frogs swimming around in a sea of frog spawn making a soft croaking noise. If it is nearing lunch time then at a small cairn on the left head down towards Gunnerside Gill and Lownatwhaite Lead Mines. A popular place for a rest. Continue along the track, enjoying the views over Gunnerside Beck, until it ends just short of Gunnerside Lodge. Follow the tarmaced road until a fork, on the left, takes you down past some cottages and through an uninviting farmyard. (It is a public right of way but it may not feel like it!) Continue across fields until you reach the bank of the Swale. It should be possible to ford the Swale, if the water is low, but we had to head back up to the bridge and retrace our steps back to Muker.
Tracklog and Route