Reeth to Marrick Priory and the Nuns Steps

From the car park by Reeth Green the walk crosses the fields south-east to Grinton Bridge and follows the north bank of the River Swale downstream, with the valley sides rising on both hands, to Marrick Priory. The priory was a Benedictine nunnery founded in the 12th century; its church was converted into an outdoor education centre in 1970, so the walk keeps to the public path past it. From the priory the flagged Nuns Steps climb through Steps Wood to the village of Marrick. The return goes west along field paths and a quiet lane under Fremington Edge, then by a path through the fields at Fremington to Reeth.

It is 9.9 km round with 195 m of ascent; allow about 3 hours. The grade is Moderate: the distance is the main effort, as the climbs are short.

The flagged steps through Steps Wood are slippery when wet, and the path by the river can be soft after rain. Cattle and sheep graze the fields, so keep dogs on leads. The lane back from Marrick is quiet but has no pavement.

Parking at Reeth is around the edges of the village green; the National Park's page says there are honesty boxes at several points but gives no amount, and OpenStreetMap marks the car park as charged. There is no station near; the National Park says Reeth can be reached by bus from Richmond.

Route drawn by Global Adventurer along OpenStreetMap paths (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL), with figures worked out from it. Check the forecast and the ground on the day: paths change.