Length: 4.8 miles. Height change: 367ft. Time: 1 hour 44 minutes
This is a simple and fairly flat afternoon walk direct from Strands which can be done in most weathers.
From Strands, head down the road towards Low Row. The river meets the road at Rowleth bottom, walk on and once you come across an unofficial parking area take the foot path off through the fields. Follow this path all the way to the road bridge – Isles Bridge. Once there, turn right over the bridge and continue to a T junction.
At the T junction turn right onto Dubbing Garth Lane. Follow lane which is part of the Swale trail. You will come across another junction at a large house – turn left here and keep travelling up the Dale. Eventually the lane will turn into a track – keep going. After a while you will pass Strands on the opposite side of the river.
The track will start to rise and meet the main road down the Dale. Turn right here across the bridge and down to Gunnerside. Once in Gunnerside, walk across the bridge and turn right in front of the pub to take the footpath back through Gunnerside bottoms.
The path eventually rises to meet the road. You can choose to walk the short distance back along the road to Strands here or walk back around through the fields by taking the footpath to the right.
A great introductory walk to the area which is longer than the Strands circular.
Photos from the walk
GPS information
GPX file for use with GPS apps.
The full list of walks or hikes
The Corpse Way, Keld Circular, Surrender Bridge, Tea Shop, Strands Circular, Gunnerside to Muker, Reeth & Grinton, Fremington Edge, Muker circular, Muker to Low Row, Gunnerside Ghyll, Richmond & Hudswell, Gunnerside Lead Mines, Marske and Helwith Circular, Medium length Strands circular, Ivelet and back, Dubbing Garth Lane.