An Easy Guide to the Grassington Circular Walk in the Yorkshire Dales

The Grassington circular walk in the Yorkshire Dales is a beautiful walk, perfect for blowing those cobwebs away. With a mixture of field trails, walks along the moorland, and woodland paths, this Grassington circular walk takes you through typical Yorkshire countryside.

This guide will answer your most important questions, and let you in on some top tips so you can make the most of your walk from Grassington in the Yorkshire Dales.

Although there are many options for circular walks from Grassington, this post will talk about two walks. There’s a shorter route which takes around two hours and also a 4 hour route which goes via the village of Conistone.

Read more: An Easy Guide To The Malham Cove Circular Walk In The Yorkshire Dales

Where Is Grassington?

Grassington is a village in North Yorkshire and is in the Craven District of the Yorkshire Dales. The nearest town is Skipton which is around 8 miles away and Grassington is easily accessible from Leeds, York or Manchester. It’s the ideal place for a day of walking in the Yorkshire countryside.

Grassington is also well known for being a filming location for the British TV series, All Creatures Great and Small. If you’re lucky, you might visit when filming is taking place in which case the whole village will be dressed up for the TV show.

How Do I Get To Grassington?

If you’re planning on driving to Grassington, use the postcode BD23 5LQ. This will take you to the National Park Visitor Centre which is around 2 minutes walk to the centre of Grassington village.

Roads leading into Grassington are in good condition however please drive carefully to respect local residents and wildlife. The main car park here is often occupied by sheep and lambs as well as cars! 

If you are using public transport you can get the train to Skipton which is around 8 miles away. 

It’s worth checking out National Rail for the latest times for the train route most suitable for you.

Several bus services also run from Skipton to Grassington which makes it a great place to access if you’re using public transport. If you’re using the Dales Bus service, you can get to Grassington from Skipton. Times and routes vary depending on if you’re travelling on a weekday or weekend. 

Read more: 16 Of The Best Day Trips From Leeds

Where can I park in Grassington?

The main car park in Grassington is at the National Park Visitor Centre. It’s a large car park but can become busy during peak visiting hours. Therefore it’s best to arrive early to get a space!

The car park at Grassington costs £4 for the full day so it’s reasonable and is only around 2 minutes walk into the centre of Grassington. You can pay at the pay machine for the day and there are also electric car charging stations on site if you need them.

At the National Park Visitor Centre in Grassington, you’ll also find a visitor centre with information about Grassington as well as public toilets which are free to use. 

The address for the National Park Visitor Centre car park in Grassington is Hebden Rd, Grassington, Skipton BD23 5LQ if you’re driving to Grassington.

Be aware when parking, there might be sheep and lambs wandering around!

When Is The Best Time Of Year To Visit Grassington?

I’ve visited Grassington in the spring months and I think this is a great time to enjoy the village and the surrounding countryside. However, all seasons offer something different. 

In the summer, you can end your walk with a drink or two sat outside one of Grassington’s many pubs. In the winter, you benefit from a quieter village therefore it’s easier to get parked and the village is less crowded.

What Facilities Are There Are In Grassington?

At the National Park Visitor Centre in Grassington, you’ll find free public toilets and a visitor centre with maps and books on the local area. The staff here are also helpful if you need any advice about walks in Grassington. 

In Grassington, there are plenty of pubs and coffee shops where you can enjoy food and a well earned drink after your walk. I’d highly recommend getting fish and chips to enjoy in the square, finished off with some ice cream for pudding!

If you’re enjoying a weekend in Grassington, there’s also plenty of accommodation in the village. Grassington House Hotel offers luxury accommodation along with a restaurant

Top Tip: When you’ve finished your circular walk around grab a drink at one of the many pubs in the village including the Devonshire Grassington and the Foresters Arms.

Where Does Grassington Circular Walk Start?

Start your circular walk around Grassington from Grassington Village itself. Walk uphill on Main Street until you reach Moor Lane. Turn left here and keep walking until it turns into Chapel Street. At the end of Chapel Street, you’ll turn right onto Bank Lane which then leads you on to the Dales Way. This is where the walk really starts as cute cottages and country lanes open into fields and wild landscapes and moorland.

What Is The Grassington Circular Walk Route?

Keep left on the Dales Way until you hit a gateway near Bastow Woods. If you’re taking a shorter 2 hour route from Grassington, this is where you head into the woods. There are a few paths to take here but if you head downhill, you’ll eventually hit a road. Turn left on this road where you’ll see the River Wharfe running through the valley. Watch out for cyclists along this road and listen out for the distinctive noise of Curlews if you didn’t hear them up on the moors.

Walking along this road, you’ll see paths cutting through the trees on the right. Follow one of these to take the path that leads along the river. This will lead you to some meadowland Ghaistrill’s Strid where if there is plenty of water along the river, you’ll find a waterfall. On the left you’ll see a stile and you just follow your nose back to Grassington. 

If you’re doing the longer Circular Route to Grassington, when you reach the gate at Bastow Woods, take the Dales Way to the right. This will take you through the moors and will eventually lead to a crossroads in the paths. You want to take a left here to venture through Bull Scar, arguably one of the prettiest parts of the walk. This narrow path takes you to Conistone and can be a bit of a scramble at times. It’s worth it though and offers a different type of scenery to that up on the hills.

After Bull Scar, you’ll reach Consitone. Stop here and have a bite to eat if you’ve brought a sandwich with you or carry on the walk!

Take the short journey through Conistone, it’s not a big place, and you’ll see a sign for the public footpath heading back up to the fields. Once you’re on this path, it’s a simple walk back to the crossroads and the gate to Bastow Woods. You then simply follow the rest of the walk as above to complete your circular walk around Grassington!

How Long Does The Grassington Circular Walk Take?

Grassington – Bastow Wood – Grassington

This route is around 8.5km and takes around 2.5 hours at a steady pace.

Grassington – Conistone – Grassington

This route is around 14km and takes around 3.5 hours at a steady pace. 

Are There Shorter Walks In Grassington If I Don’t Want To Do The Circular Walk?

Yes of course, you can just walk from Grassington along the River Wharf and back again. This takes around 45 minutes. Alternatively, just walking around Grassington village is a pretty experience.

How Difficult Is The Circular Walk Around Grassington?

Overall, the circular walk around Grassington is fairly easy to moderate. There are stiles to cross and if you take the longer route, Bull’s Scar can be a scramble in places. But overall there are no steep climbs and nothing that needs specialist equipment. Just be aware though when you go through the woods, the path downhill is steep in places and can have some loose stones.

The paths are overall well maintained and easy to follow, and the last part of the walk along the river is fairly flat.

The walk is suitable for active families and for those with a reasonable level of fitness.

What Footwear Do I Need For a Circular Walk Around Grassington?

At a minimum, I’d recommend trainers or footwear with good grip. Walking boots are probably the best choice for walking through the fields and through Bull’s Scar, however trainers are also sufficient although they may get muddy if it’s been raining!

Can You Swim In The River Wharfe Near Grassington?

On my walks around Grassington, there have been people swimming in the River Wharf. However, please check any local wild swimming sites for water quality and the best location. The river can flow quite fast in some places.

Where Can I Stay For A Weekend In Grassington?

There are many places to stay for a weekend in Grassington. I haven’t had the pleasure of staying in Grassington but Grassington House always looks popular. For recommendations, check out Discover Grassington for a big selection of accommodation in Grassington including Bed and Breakfasts and cottages.

If you do decide to do the Grassington circular walk, I hope you enjoy it! It’s a great way to enjoy the Yorkshire countryside and end your walk with a pub visit!