Plan your trip

WALK HERE

Turn to Walk 17 at the back of this magazine for a step-by-step guide to our 6-mile jaunt up Addlebrough from Thornton Rust. We’ve suggested alternative ways up and down, and you can of course improvise your own off-path route. Dogs are not allowed on parts of Stake Fell to the south (see restrictions below).

GETTING THERE

There’s a small free car park tucked behind the houses opposite Thornton Rust’s Village Institute. It lies a few minutes’ drive off the A684, which wiggles into Wensleydale from Junction 51 of the A1(M) (from the east) and Junction 37 of the M6 (from the west). Getting there by public transport takes planning but is not impracticable. From Monday to Saturday, the ‘Wensleydale Voyager’ Little White Bus (156) runs through the valley between Leyburn and Hawes. Travel to and from Thornton Rust must be booked in advance (01969 667 400) or by calling the driver on the day (see dalesbus.org for the latest timetables, telephone numbers and connections to Leyburn). Alternatively, you could alight on the A648 at Worton, 15 minutes’ walk by a quiet lane from our route. On Sundays, the ‘Wensleydale Flyer’ (856) from Northallerton Station stops here.

WHERE TO EAT

Having walked up an appetite, you deserve a visit to the Wensleydale Ice Cream Parlour & Coffee Shop in Hardbanks Barn, just off the A684. The milk comes from Manor Farm’s award-winning herd of Jersey cows and there’s a delectable array of flavours to choose from (up to 24 at any time). At chillier times of year, a hot drink, slice of cake or bowl of homemade soup may be more to your liking (see wensleydaleicecream.co.uk for current opening hours). For a slap-up pub lunch, try the nearby villages of Bainbridge, Aysgarth or Askrigg.

WHERE TO STAY

Country Walking’s favourite Wensleydale hideaway is the Low Mill Guest House down in Bainbridge – a restored 18th-century corn mill complete with working water wheel. Located just down the road from Thornton Rust, it boasts three sumptuous rooms and a riverside garden. Deluxe B&B for two staying in the ‘Store Room’ costs from £110pn (01969 650553;

lowmillguesthouse.co.uk). For cheaper accommodation, with shops and various eateries on your doorstep, scooch west to YHA Hawes, where private hostel rooms start from £55pn (0345 371 9120; yha.orh.uk).

i MORE INFORMATION

Find out more about open access land in the Yorkshire Dales on the National Park website: bit.ly/dales-open-access. Restrictions and temporary closures are listed by Natural England: bit.ly/open-access-maps. For general visitor information head to yorkshire.com or call the Hawes National Park Centre (01969 666210).