Route diagram, drawn from the recorded track — for the shape of the walk, not for navigation. Carry OS Explorer on the hill.
Six and a third miles linking Crakehall to Bedale by way of Langthorne Wood, roughly two and a half hours over field paths and farm tracks with about a third of the distance on quiet tarmac. Start from the parking at the north end of Crakehall green; Bedale, halfway round, has cafes, toilets, parking and the Wensleydale Railway station if you want to cut it short. Cattle and sheep graze several of the pasture fields and the wood turns to deep mud from November to March, so this is a boots-and-lead walk rather than a free run, with Bedale Beck the best drinking water.
A gentle two and a half mile loop around Crakehall's huge village green and down to the watermill on Bedale Beck, about an hour on grass, unpaved track and a short length of pavement beside the A684. Park considerately on the green itself; the Bedale to Leyburn buses stop on the main road through the village and the Bay Horse stands beside the green. The green is one of the few places in this patch where a dog can genuinely have a run off the lead, but the beck path passes grazing land and the A684 traffic is fast, so lead on for that stretch.
Traditional family-run free house facing Crakehall's broad village green, with real ale, home-cooked food and a garden. The inn's own line is simple: good-mannered dogs welcome. Closed Tuesdays and evenings-only on Mondays, so time your visit accordingly.
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