Moorland and meadows walk at Brimham Rocks
Explore the diverse landscapes around Brimham Rocks in Yorkshire, home to a range of pondlife, along with wild cotton and waist-high bracken. The walk culminates with stunning views across the Yorkshire Moors, and on a clear day you might even catch a glimpse of York Minster.
Total steps: 4
Total steps: 4
Start point
Brimham Rocks car park. Grid ref: SE 206650
Step 1
From the Brimham Rocks car park, walk down the road you came in on. However, before reaching the public road, turn right down the track marked 'private road' to Druids Cave Farm. After about 80yds (75m), and just before the track passes between a gap in a wall with a National Trust boundary marker, there will be a footpath to your left. Take this path, then immediately take the left fork to continue to the road. Cross the road and take the footpath signposted Nidderdale Way. Follow this path for about 0.6 miles (1km) until you reach a stile at the boundary of Brimham Rocks. Climb over the stile and continue straight on until you reach a farm track. Go straight on for about 275yds (250m), until you get to a junction where the paved track turns left and another track forks to the right.
Step 2
Fork right through the gate and follow the track for 0.6 miles (1km) until you reach a road. Turn left at the road, then immediately turn left again onto the farm track signposted 'public bridleway / Nidderdale Way / Shaw Mills'. Follow the track through Brimham Lodge Farm, then through a wooded area, before continuing up a hill signposted 'Park House / Warsill'. After passing Park House Farm, continue up the slope. Just before the brow of the hill, take the footpath on the right through a gate. Follow the footpath, first passing some small lakes on your right, and then, a couple of hundred metres further on, some houses on your left. After another 110yds (100m), and immediately after passing a landscaped lake on your left, take the left fork marked 'public bridleway' between some houses. Continue up to the road.
Step 3
Turn left at the road and continue straight on, up a rising concrete farm track. At the top of the track, bear right, then continue straight on through a small gate, where the track bears right to the farm. After 200 paces or so, cross the stile at the Brimham Rocks site boundary; then, in another 10 paces or so, take the path to the right, heading slightly downhill. When you reach a wall in a small copse of silver birch trees, follow the path to the left. In about 25 paces, cross the bridge over the spring, then follow the path as it swings to the left. Follow the path across the duckboard bridge, after which it turns sharply to the right. Follow the gently rising path through the silver birch trees, and on to the open heather and bracken moorland. You'll now be able to see Brimham Rocks ahead, and in another 450yds (400m) or so, you’ll reach Brimham Rocks Road, which runs right through the property.
Step 4
Turn left at Brimham Rocks Road, and after about 150 paces you'll see a path to your right, opposite a rough layby. Taking the path into the bracken and veering to the left will take you towards the refreshment kiosk, toilets and visitor centre close to the highest point of the site. If you prefer, you can continue on the road to the Brimham Rocks site entrance. The refreshment kiosk, toilets and visitor centre are then straight up the main track (or you can meander amongst the rocks).
End point
Brimham Rocks visitor centre. Grid ref: SE 20664 65042
Trail map
More near here
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Fountains Abbey Estate Boundary walk
See all the highlights of Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal on a circular walk, taking in the Abbey ruins, hall, deer park and 18th-century water garden.
Get in touch
Brimham Moor Road, Summerbridge, Harrogate, North Yorkshire, HG3 4DW
Our partners
We’ve partnered with Cotswold Outdoor to help everyone make the most of their time outdoors in the places we care for.
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