Nidderdale & Washburn Walks

Merryfield Mines

Date: 14th May 2006
Distance: 6.4 miles
Ascent: 830 feet
Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
With: Lisa
Start Grid Ref: SE158656

Walk Summary:
An extremely easy walk, mostly on wide tracks and minor roads, from Pateley Bridge to the remains of Merryfield Mines.

Route Summary: Pateley Bridge - River Nidd - Mosscar - Ashfold Side Beck - Merryfield Mines - Brandstone Dub Beck - Nidderdale Way - Pateley Bridge

Pictures:

1. The River Nidd north of Pateley Bridge

2. Ashfold Side Beck

3. The path to the mines

4. Providence Smelt Mill

5. Providence Smelt Mill

Walk Detail: Unfortunately this was not the best weekend for weather and although it rained more the previous day it was a fairly gloomy day so I picked this short walk from Pateley Bridge.

By coincidence we picked the same day as the Nidderdale Charity walk the seven mile version of which happened to coincide with almost 90% of our route which meant we saw lots of people. To be honest it was not the most interesting of walks, this was partially due to the weather but also to the number of roads and wide tracks (especially through caravan sites).

The side valley of Ashfold Side Beck was pretty and the track was contoured at a nice height to give us what views the weather permitted us. The mines themselves were quite interesting to explore although not as extensive as I’d imagined.

So while not the most exciting walk I would do it again and it served its purpose of getting us out for some fresh air and exercise.

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