Harkerside Moor, Grinton, Coast to Coast
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Path towards Harker Mires, Grinton
Harkerside Moor, Grinton, Swaledale, Coast to Coast
Harkerside Moor occupies the moorland on the south side of the River Swale between Grinton and Low Row (opposite). The highest part of the moor is High Carl, at 555m and the adjoining Gibbon Hill at 543m. The ruins of Maiden Castle are near the foot of the moor, close to Swale Hall Lane.
There are many circular walks passing over Harkerside Moor, and from the Moor there are spectacular views across the Swale to Reeth Low Moor, the village of Reeth, Fremington Edge and Healaugh. Most Swaledale amblers walk along the north riverbank. The moors above the south riverbank offer a unique view of North Swaledale's upper moorlands rarely seen by most walkers.
Blue Ball Harkerside Moor
Harkerside Moor is easily approached from Grinton via a path that commences just south of Grinton Church, that passes between some dwellings and then west and north along Nanny Ward's Gill. Where the path meets a footpath junction on the 250m contour several paths lead north westwards, one of which passes over the lands known as Blue Ball. These lands were previously Common Land but the classification as such was removed by the Commons Commissioners in 1978.
Grinton Lodge Grinton
From the path at Blue Ball you can look east across Harkerside Moor to Grinton Lodge. Its present use is as a YHA. It was once a shooting lodge. The Lodge was erected in 1817 and was sold to the YHA in 1948. It is a Grade II Listed Building.
Reeth and the River Swale
Between Reeth and Harkerside Moor a moderately sized river island has formed in the River Swale, having a broad expanse of river stones around its edges. The interior of the island is raised and has acquired an impressive foliar coverage. A smaller river island has also formed, just west of the larger island.
Fremington Edge
Gazing north from the path near Blue Ball, Fremington Edge is conspicuous. Before Fremington Edge the large village of Reeth is visible, together with the surrounding pastoral fields. The sinuous route of the River Swale lies in the foreground valley, and the valley of the Arkle Beck is visible beyond Reeth, heading towards its source on Arkengarthdale Moor, north west of Reeth.
Harkerside Swing Bridge
An impeccable view of the Harkerside Swing Bridge is obained from Low Lane in lower Harkerside. The bridge spans the River Swale at Reeth. It is also known as the Reeth Swing Bridge. It is a footbridge and links the communities of Reeth and Harkerside. Despite its name the bridge is a suspension bridge, although it apparently did swing before its restoration in 1920.
Bleak House Harkerside
To the east of Bleak House there is a large Earthwork extending almost to the River Swale, and very close to the Swale Hall Tumulus. The Earthwork is a Scheduled Monument but does not have a grading. The fields to the north and west of Bleak House are part of an extended co-axial Field System and Cairnfield dating to the bronze Age.
Coast to Coast Trail Guide
Hiking the Coast to Coast
"Hiking the Coast to Coast" is a digitally enhanced eBook available from Apple Books for all people who have either a Mac, an iPhone or an iPad, and is designed to accompany you on your walk of the Coast to Coast path. The trail guide contains Ordnance Survey maps and other advanced mapping features, step by step directions, hundreds of colour photographs, details of the route, its conditions in different weather and research snippets relating to places of interest along the way.
