Markington to Fountains Abbey

Ten miles and four and a half hours across the estate country north of Markington to the abbey ruins and back through Seven Bridges valley and the deer park, with 230 metres of climbing spread over easy field paths, estate tracks and a few quiet lanes. Start in Markington village where there is roadside parking near the Yorkshire Hussar; the walk shares its middle section with the Ripon Rowel and the Fountains Way, both of which are waymarked. It is a long day on grazed farmland with plenty of gates and a few stiles, so leads stay on for most of it, and a short lead is compulsory once you are inside the deer park with its 300 wild deer.