Cracoe Fell Circular Walk

Views from Cracoe Fell Hike
Views from Cracoe Fell Hike

By Vicky · Published Oct. 4th, 2024

The circular walk up along Cracoe Fell follows a prominent ridge with glorious views up into the Yorkshire Dales.

Location

The Cracoe Fell Circular Walk starts from a car park behind the Devonshire Arms in Cracoe at the edge of the Yorkshire Dales. From the main road, the way into the car park is on the Skipton side of the pub.

Cracoe Fell Walking Map

Tips

Cracoe Fell Walking Route

Walking in Yorkshire, England
Walking to the top of Cracoe Fell in the Yorkshire Dales

From the car park behind the pub, return to the main road, turn left for a few meters and then left again down a little lane through Cracoe village. Turn left at the end, then follow the road as it bends through town towards the woodland.

Turn right along the track by the wood, leading upwards towards Cracoe Fell. Eventually, you’ll come to the edge of the moorland, over a wall. On the other side, turn left for a short distance and then follow the small path leading out into the moorland.

Walking along a circular loop in the Yorkshire Dales
A dry stone wall, path and hillside in yorkshire, UK

The path heads gradually uphill, before veering right to lead diagonally up the steeper part of the slope. Soon you’ll be at the top and by the Cracoe War Memorial. From here there are great views over the countryside below.

When you’re ready to move on, don’t continue straight along the ridge but head left towards the wall. Turn right just on the other side and follow the path along the wall. After about 2 km, there’s a short out-and-back to Rylstone Cross. You’ll see an obvious wooden style over the wall and then a path to the cross. There are more great views from here.

Rylstone Cross
a church near cracoe in yorkshire

Return back across the wall and continue to the right. The path gradually bends left and in roughly 600 m you’ll meet a fairly large junction. Turn right and follow the track downhill, leaving the moor and heading into some fields.

Down at the bottom, you’ll reach a larger track. Turn right, then right again just before a small woodland, with a walking sign towards Cracoe. Head around the bend and you’ll soon reach St Peter’s Church. Turn right here along the path, and you’ll soon be back at Craco and the end of this walk.


Guidebooks to explore more of Yorkshire

The Rough Guide to Yorkshire* is a great little guidebook and has a section on Ilkley and things to do nearby. The Yorkshire Dales Pathfinder Guide* has a good collection of short hikes suitable for the entire family and the Guide to North Yorkshire Pub Walks* has some fun walks in the Dales for those who are hungry and thirsty.


For more nearby hikes, check out the Best Walks in Yorkshire, or find more ideas in our Yorkshire Guide.

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