Aysgarth and Leyburn: Coach Trip and Walks

Aysgarth Walk

From the Coach park at Aysgarth we descend to the River Ure then ascend slightly to the Aysgarth Visitors Centre, where there is a cafe and toilets. For anyone not wishing to do the full walk this morning, there are cafes in Aysgarth or you have the option of walking to the falls and back, approximately ½ mile round walk from the visitors centre. After a short stop for people to use the facilities we carry on through woodland and open farmland. Turning right just before Carperby, we make our way over fields and grassy paths to turn back towards the falls themselves. We will take a break at the falls before heading back via the visitor centre to the coach, and our afternoon in Leyburn.

This walk is just under 4 miles in length. It is expected that this walk will take between 2 hours and 2 hours 20 minutes to complete allowing for stops to view the falls and use of facilities at the visitors centre. It is on good paths throughout. There is a steep but short ascent right at the end of this walk but with the geography of the area, this hill is unavoidable. There are some stiles on this walk but they are not numerous or difficult.

Leyburn Walk

We will start this walk from the Bolton Arms pub near the main roundabout in the centre of town. This is located about 200 yards from the coach park in Leyburn. From here it is a short walk to get out of town and onto the Leyburn Shawl. At the start of the Shawl only some 300 yards out of town is the first view point over the valley which has picnic benches and seats where those not doing the full walk can sit and take in the views. From here it is a matter of how far you want to walk on The Shawl before you retrace your steps back to the facilities in Leyburn.

The full walk is a distance of 4 miles and it will take about 2 hours. We will walk the full length of Leyburn Shawl and back again, after visiting Tullis Cote and the ruins of Keld Head Mine complex. The Leyburn Shawl is a pathway that has numerous fine views over the Ure Valley. There is a moderate ascent (200ft) from the mine backup to the start of the Shawl. The walk is on distinct paths but care will need to be taken not to trip over tree roots at points along the Shawl.
Itinerary for the trip

Approximate timings for walk starts
Arrive Aysgarth Falls 10:20
Start walk Aysgarth 10:30
Walk 4 miles return to coach, leave Aysgarth Falls 13:15
Arrive Leyburn Coach park 13:40
Start Leyburn walk 14:00
Walk 4 miles return to coach at 17:00 prompt

Pick-Up Time: Chapeltown Library – 08.15 for prompt 08:30 start

Return: 17:00 from Leyburn coach park (where we were dropped off)