Walk Details
Utilising the bridleways and country lanes around Great Knoutberry Hill in the Yorkshire Dales, this is a walk that is wheelchair accessible (although you’ll need a 4×4 all terrain wheelchair to do it!).
Our walk begins in Cowgill and takes the Bridleway up Arten Gill, passing underneath the magnificent Arten Gill Viaduct, which is part of the Settle/Carlisle railway line.
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This impressive structure was built in 1875 from blocks of Dent “marble” – a dark limestone that was quarried locally. It has 11 arches, and stands 117ft tall.
Arten Gill was the main Drovers’ route from Wensleydale into Dentdale. For centuries it was used by locals to get to the market town of Hawes. There is a gradual climb up this track but the climb is worth it for the views. We’re taking the bridleway that comes in sharply to our left and continues to climb up the track.
From here you get panoramic views over to Whernside, Ingleborough and Pen-y-Ghent. Take my advice and keep looking back. The higher you climb the more you see! From further along the track, to your right, it is open access land to the summit of Great Knoutberry Hill.
From here we get amazing panoramic views over to Whernside, Ingleborough and Pen-y-Ghent. You’ll want to keep pausing to look back at these views! The higher we climb the more we see! From further along the track, to our right, it is open access land to the summit of Great Knoutberry Hill.
If you are a wheelchair user – there is the option to wheel over open access land to the summit of Great Knoutberry Hill, but this detour on this route has no tracks to follow and the ground can be very uneven and boggy in places. We would only recommend only going to the summit if you are confident in your navigational skills and that your all terrain wheelchair is capable of tackling the steepness and the marshy terrain.
Otherwise stay on the bridleway which eventually comes out onto the road. Turn left and follow the very quiet road back down into Cowgill, passing by Dent Railway Station on your way. The views over the Dales are stunning and on a clear day you can see right over to the Lake District and to Scafell Pike.
Access TOG Verdict:
This is a designated ‘Miles without stiles’ walk – but you will certainly need a sturdy 4×4 all terrain wheelchair to get round. Don’t let this deter you though – the views you get are more than worth it!
Nearest Train (or tube) Station(s):
Dent, Carlisle
