Length: 5.59 miles. Height change: 1,135ft. Time: 2.5hrs.
This walk is perfect for a Sunday: start in the morning, then lunch at the fantastic George and Dragon pub in Hudswell followed by the return journey to walk of some of the calories just put on! Or on a hot summers day, a leisurely picnic by the river after the walk?
Park in the old Station car park in Richmond – you will need to pay. The station itself is well worth a visit too, since it contains a number of artisan shops (bakery, brewery and ice cream), a gallery, a cafe and a cinema. Check out more here. On a summers day, you might want to consider buying food for a picnic from The Angel’s Share bakery.
To do the walk, cross the road bridge over the river, turn left and down the path that runs along side the river. Things to note enroute are Richmond water falls and views of the Castle. When you get to the next road, turn left across the road bridge and then right. Follow the path through the woodland, which eventually opens out into a meadow. Lots of areas here to get to the river and go paddling on a hot summers day. Continue on the path to Round Howe.
As the name suggests, Round Howe is an almost perfectly circular hill. Keeping your eye on the map, since it is easy to take the wrong path here, walk through the woodland, eventually reaching some steps, go up these and turn right. The path levels, gets a little bit tricky and comes out into a clearing, look back to get a great view. Continue on to Hudswell church and then Hudswell itself. Stop at the George and Dragon or continue on for the return journey along the tops before dropping back into Richmond. Be careful on the last section since it follows a main road.
If you didn’t have chance to get food in Hudswell, we can recommend the cafe in the Station. There are also many in the market place in Richmond itself, which is a short walk/climb away.