Thixendale / Fridaythorpe circular

Summary

Duration	2-2½ hours
Distance	6 miles
Features	First half on quiet road, then two wonderful dales
Special Notes	Good views
Difficulty	Medium

Directions

Walk away from the church, past the turning to the pub (save the visit for later!) and turn right at the T-junction.

The road splits three ways almost immediately. Take the sharp left up the hill towards Fridaythorpe.

Follow the road up the steep hill with its good views back to the village. Continue on past Gritts Farm enjoying the quiet easy walking of this single-track road section. Just before reaching the dwellings of Fridaythorpe, you will get to the large feed store. The walk follows the signed track just past this on the right. You can, of course, divert briefly into Fridaythorpe to stock up on supplies if you need to.

The route crosses the feed store’s lorry access road and continues on a grassy track alongside.

The track descends slowly before reaching a stile, which you cross to descend into West dale.

At the bottom, turn right and proceed towards Brubberdale.

Instead of going into Brubberdale, cross the stile on the left to start the climb up towards Gill’s Farm.

Pass the farm on the left along a grassy track.

Cross the Thixendale/Huggate road and follow the signed path on the other side.

The path brings you through a gate to the chalky track descending into Thixen Dale.

Go down the track, turning right at the bottom. Follow the tranquil dale bottom along. crossing a stile and then going through a gate before reaching the road at Fotherdale.

Turn right for the short walk back into Thixendale.