Ivelet Moor Accessible Walk

This is an 11 km circular route, about 6.84 miles, looping around the edge of Ivelet Moor high above Swaledale. It starts from the roadside access at Dyke Heads, reached by following the single track tarmac road up from Gunnerside, and it returns to the same point, so there is no doubling back.

From the start you take a short access track and climb onto the moor, then follow a well surfaced track around the moor edge, over heather ground and past the Botcher Gill and Gunnerside Gill side of the hill. The route swings around the northern and western side near Arn Gill before dropping back to the southern public road section that returns you to the start. The payoff is repeated open views across Swaledale, with gills, moorland and old field walls laid out below you.

Officially this is a red route, meaning a route for some rather than one that suits every wheelchair or every visitor. Treat it as a substantial outing rather than a short stroll.

• The track is well surfaced and at least 200 cm wide throughout, which is the route's biggest strength.
• There are short gradient sections reaching 1:6, including the pull from the road up onto the moor.
• Height ranges from roughly 299 m near the road to about 569 m at the highest part of the loop.
• The full 11 km distance, combined with those gradients, is the main thing to plan around.

This is open heather moorland from end to end, so the walk is fully exposed to whatever the weather is doing. That openness is exactly what gives you the wide views in every direction, and it is worth factoring into when you set out.

Parking is informal roadside space on the grass verge at Dyke Heads, and it is limited. Park considerately and do not block access to the road or gateways. Signage at the start marks a private road, which means no vehicle access beyond that point, though walking access is fine.

There are no facilities at the start. The nearest public toilets, including one with facilities for people with disabilities, are next to the Kings Arms pub in Gunnerside.

Part of the route follows a shooting track across open access land, where local restrictions such as no dogs may apply. Check the current open access restrictions for the area before bringing a dog, since access can vary.

If 11 km is more than you want, Old Gang near Reeth is a shorter accessible route that leads to the remains of the Old Gang Smelt Mill, with more of a heritage focus than a big moorland circuit.