Our drawing of the route — the shape of the walk, not a navigation aid. Carry OS Explorer on the hill.
Six and a half miles and about three and a half hours away from the crowds at the falls, over the shoulder into Bishopdale and round the two quiet villages of Thoralby and Newbiggin; the field paths are heavy clay and stay muddy well into June. Start at the Aysgarth Falls National Park Centre car park, which is pay-and-display and has toilets, a cafe and the 856 bus from Leyburn. This is dairy and sheep country with cattle and calves in the bottom fields, so keep the dog on the lead and be ready to let go of it if cattle come at you; Bishopdale Beck gives water at Thoralby and there is a shallow drinking spot at Eshington Bridge, but the field walls are crossed by a long run of narrow stone squeeze stiles and this route has more of them than almost anything else in Wensleydale.
A stone hotel on the A684 at the Aysgarth Falls end of the village, minutes from the woodland paths to the Upper, Middle and Lower Force. The hotel sets aside a category of dog-friendly rooms, which must be chosen at the time of booking. A practical base for Freeholders Wood and the Wensleydale valley walks.
An easy hour-and-a-half circuit from the National Park Centre taking in all three tiers of Aysgarth Falls, where the Ure thunders over broad limestone steps. The route runs through Freeholders' Wood and private working farmland shared with sheep, so dogs must be kept on a lead throughout. Good paths, viewing platforms, pay-and-display parking, toilets and the dog-friendly Coppice Cafe at the start.
Relaxed cafe at the Aysgarth Falls National Park Centre, right beside the main car park for the waterfalls. Dog friendly inside as well as at the outdoor tables, with friendly staff known to fetch fresh water for visiting dogs. Soups, scones and home-made gelato make it the natural end to the falls walk.
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