Swale Way
A 78-mile long-distance path in North Yorkshire following the course of the River Swale upstream from its confluence with the River Ure near Boroughbridge to Kirkby Stephen, beyond the river’s source springs of Birkdale Beck and Great Sleddale Beck in the Yorkshire Dales. With map, statistics, and GPX route file.
Statistics and Files
Grid Ref: SE 396 666
Distance: 78 miles (126 km)
Time: 30–39 hours
Duration: 5–7 days
Ordnance Survey Explorer Maps (1:25,000):
OL19 Howgill Fells and Upper Eden Valley
OL26 North York Moors – Western Area
OL30 Yorkshire Dales – Northern and Central Area
299 Ripon, Boroughbridge and Easingwold
302 Northallerton and Thirsk
304 Darlington and Richmond
Summary
The Swale Way is a long-distance footpath which traces the course of the River Swale upstream from Boroughbridge (near the confluence with the River Ure) to the Swale’s origin in the head of Swaledale near Keld, at the meeting of Birkdale and Great Sleddale Becks within the Yorkshire Dales National Park. For logistical purposes, the route continues on from the source of the river to conclude in the market town of Kirkby Stephen in Cumbria.
Although the Swale Way does not follow the river entirely due to a lack of rights of way, it keeps true to the Swale valley throughout. Places on the route, starting from Boroughbridge, include Myton-on-Swale, Helperby, Brafferton, Eldmire Hill, Dalton, Sowerby, Thirsk, South Kilvington, Kirkby Wiske, Maunby, Morton-on-Swale, Thrintoft, Little Langton, Great Langton, Bolton-on-Swale, Catterick Bridge, Brompton-on-Swale, Easby (including Easby Abbey), Richmond (including Richmond Castle), Hudswell, Downholme, Grinton, Reeth, Gunnerside, Ivelet, Muker, Keld, Jenny Hill, Birk Dale, Birkdale Common, and Hartley Fell before finishing in Kirkby Stephen.