Leisure

Some people turn up to do stretches along the Pennine way from Gargrave, others have a gentle promenade around to prepare for (or recover from) lunch.

These are just a few short walks that you can take around the village.

BEWARE: When walking along towpaths and other non paved areas, these will be muddy in wet weather. You might need wellies or boots, we wouldn’t want you to get a tide mark round your best Guccis.

  • Chew Lane Walk (A leisurely half hour)

    Gargrave chew lane walk

    This walk takes you along west street, past the Village Hall, over the canal by Higherlands Lock and then on to Chew Lane.

    At the end of Chew Lane turn right back towards the Village centre on to the canal bridge. On the right there is a choice of the canal towpath or a small path to the left. Take the one to the left and return the the centre via the tennis club,and Meadow croft.

  • Stepping Stones Walk (As long as you want)

    Gargrave stepping stones walk
    This is most fun in summer when getting wet is not too serious. Wellies are a good idea for kids and grown up kids.

    There are two sets of stepping stones, one from the main A65 across to the High Green and one from the end of the Middle Green to the Low Green.

    You can get between High and Middle greens by crossing Church Street by the bridge, or you could do as this route shows and go along Church Street and down Church Lane (opposite the Mason’s Arms).

    BEWARE: The stepping stones are not always usable depending on the depth of the river water and flood damage, they can also be slippery in wet or frosty conditions.

  • Canal Banks Walk (About half an hour)

    Gargrave canal banks walk

    From the summerseat walk towards Settle along the side of the road, it’s a bit narrow in places.

    At the Anchor bridge turn left on to the towpath and then turn immediately right under the Canal bridge.

    Walk along the towpath, crossing the road at Higherlands Lock keeping on to the next bridge where you can turn right on to Eshton Road.

    When you get to Skipton Road (Main A65) turn right and cross the main road to East street a hundred yards later.

    You can now walk along East Street and River Place back to the Summerseat.

  • Aqueduct Walk (About an hour)

    Gargrave aqueduct walk

    This is commonly known as a stroll round akadock.

    From the Summerseat cross the river bridge and keep going until you get to the Mason’s Arms where you can turn right along Marton Road.

    From here walk along Marton Road until you reach the canal, it’s about a mile and a half to the canal and you will walk alongside the river for a while.

    When you reach the Canal bridge turn left through the gate and around the downwards spiral on to the canal bank. In about a hundred yards you will cross the main aqueduct where the canal crosses the river. This is an interesting spot because you have a river, road, rail and canal bridge within about 100 yards of each other. The aqueduct itself is wide enough for one of the old working barges which on the Leeds Liverpool canal were twice the width of the narrowboats that you see nowadays.

    Continue on past more locks, you will go under the main road at the Anchor bridge.

    Continue on and cross the road at Higherlands lock, when you reach Eshton Road you will be able to do a small U turn to the right and return the the village via Meadow Croft and the Swan.

    BEWARE: When walking along towpaths and other non paved areas, these will probably be muddy in wet weather.

  • Gargrave Geographical Conundrum Walk

    Gargrave conundrum walk

    Many people have argued over many drinks as to the solution of this conundrum.
    It may involve going and looking in person to try things out at different times of year.
    Starting at the summerseat at the top of Gargrave High Street, find a way to get out of the village that does not involve crossing over water.