Yorkshire

Horse Head Moor and Deepdale walk

Challenge yourself to the Horse Head Moor and Deepdale walk, which explores the remote moorland ridge and rewards visitors with views across the Three Peaks. This invigorating circular trail tackles steep climbs to cross moorland and fellside before descending for a stroll alongside the River Wharfe. It offers the chance to discover colourful fauna, woodland restoration as well as kingfishers and other water wildlife.

Near to

Yorkshire Dales

Start point

Yockenthwaite, Skipton, BD23. Grid ref: SD904790

Trail information

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Difficulty*

Accessibility**

Full trail

DistanceMiles: 5.5 (km: 8.8)

Duration2 hours to 3 hours

Dog friendly***

*A strenuous hilly walk across moorland. For further details see Terrain section.
**There are steep climbs and uneven footing. For further details, please see section marked Access.
***Dogs on leads are welcome. For further details, please see section marked Facilities.

Address
Park on the roadside at Yockenthwaite, Skipton, BD23. SD904790
Directions via Google Maps
By bus
Buses run between Skipton, Grassington and Upper Wharfedale.
Further details on Dalesbus services
By road
From Skipton: follow the signs to Grassington on the B6265. Continue along this road to Threshfield, then follow the B6160, signposted Kettlewell. Continue through Kettlewell and Starbotton and enter Buckden. At the fork in the road, turn left towards Hubberholme. Go through Hubberholme and continue on. Continue past Low Raisgill and go over a cattle grid. Ahead, you will see a bridge and the hamlet of Yockenthwaite. Park up on the left-hand side of the road near Yockenthwaite.
Dogs
Well-behaved, controlled dogs are welcome. Be vigilant near livestock, especially those with young. Keep dogs on leads and under control. If approached by cows, move away carefully and, if necessary, let go of your dog's lead – the dog will outrun the cows. Watch out for local notices for seasonal restrictions in woodland or farmland, such as lambing season or when ground-nesting birds are raising their young, March–July.
Toilet
The nearest toilets can be found in Buckden, about 2.5 miles south-east from Yockenthwaite. Public toilets are available at the Yorkshire Dales National Park car park in Buckden, as well as the car park in Kettlewell.
Café
The nearest cafés can be found in Buckden, about 2.5 miles south-east from Yockenthwaite.
Pub
The nearest pubs can be found in Buckden, about 2.5 miles south-east from Yockenthwaite.
Total stages: 8
Total stages: 8
Start point
Yockenthwaite, Skipton, BD23. Grid ref: SD904790
Stage 1
After parking on the roadside at Yockenthwaite, return along the road to Raisgill farmhouse and follow the bridleway, signed to Halton Gill. The track zig-zags steeply uphill, across a large area of common land known as the Hagg.
Stage 2
When the path levels, continue onwards, keeping Hagg Beck in the valley to your left. You'll eventually come to a wall with a gate at the top of the pass.
Stage 3
At the gate, you can take a short detour to the fell summit. Go through the gate and turn right, walking by the wall towards the white trig point not too far away. At the trig point enjoy the views of the Three Peaks then return to the gate, go through and turn left.
Stage 4
Keeping the wall on your left, walk along the moorland ridge for 1.2 miles (1.9km), crossing a gate, a stile and a ruined wall.
Stage 5
When you reach a gate on your left, turn right. Follow this footpath downhill towards Beckermonds, with Greenfield Forest away to your left. Continue on this path until you reach the River Wharfe.
Stage 6
Once at the river, don't cross the bridge. Instead, turn right and follow the Dales Way footpath along the riverside towards Deepdale.
Stage 7
At Deepdale, cross the road bridge and turn right into the hamlet. A short way up the track, take the footpath on the right, signposted to Yockenthwaite.
Stage 8
Once in Yockenthwaite, cross over the stone packhorse bridge to return to the start of the trail.
End point
Yockenthwaite, Skipton, BD23. Grid ref: SD904790.
Trail map
Horse Head Moor and Deepdale trail map | © Crown copyright and database rights 2013 Ordnance Survey
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Malham Tarn Estate Office, North Wing, Malham Tarn House, Settle, North Yorkshire, BD24 9PU

01729830416

yorkshiredales@nationaltrust.org.uk

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