Ripon Rowel
A 50-mile long-distance path in North Yorkshire beginning and ending in the city of Ripon. The route includes Fountains Abbey, Studley Park, the Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and the cathedral city itself. With map, statistics, and GPX route file.
Statistics and Files
Grid Ref: SE 314 710
Distance: 50 miles (80 km)
Time: 20–25 hours
Duration: 3–5 days
Ordnance Survey Explorer Maps (1:25,000):
298 Nidderdale
299 Ripon, Boroughbridge and Easingwold
302 Northallerton and Thirsk
Summary
The Ripon Rowel is a long-distance footpath route around the ancient city of Ripon, visiting villages, historic sites, wooded valleys, rivers, lakes, and streams.
The route, on recognised public rights of way and permissive paths, includes Markenfield Hall, the romantic and magnificent Fountains Abbey, Studley Water Gardens and Park, and the beautiful St Mary’s Church. There are visits to the tranquil River Skell’s Valley of the Seven Bridges, Eavestone Lakes, Dallowgill, Ilton-cum-Pot, and the quaint Druids Temple. On the return leg are the lovely valleys of the Rivers Burn and Ure, along with Hackfall Woods and Ripon Parks with their local fauna and flora.
The route travels through the villages of North Stainley, Mickley, Masham, Dallowgill, Grantley, past Fountains Abbey, Markington, and back up to Ripon through South Stainley and Bishop Monkton.