The second of the walks taken from the new book Pocket Pub Walks In The Yorkshire Dales describes two routes of three miles or six and a quarter miles starting and finishing from The Clarendon Hotel at Hebden. To get there take the B6265 Pateley Bridge road from Grassington and after two miles the Clarendon is on the left. On-street parking is available nearby. We advise walkers to take the OS Outdoor Leisure map OL2
1 FROM the Clarendon turn left and take the first lane left, before the bridge. The stone cottages and trees make a fine picture as you walk away up the track, with Hebden Beck on your right. After the Yarnbury sign a post points right for Thorpe Edge, this is the return on the shorter walk. Keep on the lane to a collection of properties called Hole Bottom. From the wooden gate on the right, signed to Yarnbury, cross a stone bridge. Follow the beck on a track now unsurfaced. As you get higher the valley opens out and there are buildings ahead and remains of mining activity all round. After a gate, where the track divides, follow the lower, left-hand track by the water. Soon cross the stepping stones and go right to a gate. There is a fence across the beck and below it a ford.
2 For the shorter walk to Thorpe Edge: Go back and cross the stepping stones. Climb the banking ahead and go left on a path; a dry reservoir is below on your right. Bear right into the small valley and turn right on the gravel path which climbs to a higher level and through fields. Reach a gate and continue on a green path through more gates. From a gate with a signpost by a deep gill follow a wall to the next gate. From the gate continue until the wall finishes. Here a vehicle emerges from a property, follow this ahead for about 200 yards to a yellow post. Now leave the track and turn very sharp right, crossing a small moorland area on a narrow path to a wall stile with a signpost. Cross the stile and pass the entrance gate, walking by the boundary wall to a gap and a footpath sign. A path goes down, take care on the descent but the path is well used. Reach a small gate in a wall below. Go ahead on the grass, gradually bearing left to join the wall on the left as it curves round. You will see Hebden in sight as you walk down, crossing stiles to reach a footbridge. Regain the track and turn left to return to the Clarendon Hotel.To continue the longer route: From the gate continue up the valley. The path crosses then recrossed the beck, then climb to a stony area. It then goes left, with a zigzag, and soon reaches a gate with a bridleway signed right. Cross an open area with mining detritus and after a wide gap in a wall join a track and turn left. There is now a wide, smooth path to Yarnbury.
3Turn left and follow the road down into Grassington. Walk through the town and leave the main street by a left turn onto the main road. Go along to the zebra and cross to the National Park Centre. There are toilets here.
4 Continue down to the left through the overspill parking and on to a narrow track signed to Linton Falls. Before the footbridge cross the wall stile on the left, signed Dales Way to Hebden and Burnsall. Follow this easy path over the field. It becomes graveled and goes up to a lane. Turn right and pass a fishery then continue to a gate with a four-way signpost.
5 Follow the Burnsall direction and enjoy a lovely stretch of riverside walking, reaching Hebden suspension bridge (built in 1885 by the local blacksmith). There re more stepping stones and a seat.
6 Continue as though walking off the bridge and go on a short track to a stile. Go up the field to a road and turn right on it for a few yards. Immediately after a road bridge, turn left on a path signed Hebden and Bank Top. Go through an entrance gate and between two houses and gardens. The path is clear through gates and you continue at a Hebden sign. Cross a white stony track and go left of a wall. Keep on the clear path which winds through a valley and soon climbs up to the village street in Hebden. A right turn brings you to the Clarendon.
