Explore on two feet and you’ll find great walks straight from Masham – shorter circular river walks and pub walks, through to striding out to explore Hackfall Woods, or heading to higher ground and walking on the open moorland and hills of the Swinton Estate.
Of course, you can always pick up the pace as there are so many running options too. Further afield will find you spoilt for choice as we’re on the fringe of the Nidderdale National Landscape and the Yorkshire Dales National Park where the walking is endless.
Mashamshire Community Office can supply maps and walks – you could even join one of our a guided walks too.
Walking or Running Off-Road
If you want to explore for yourself on foot, the OS map of the Masham area or the Yellow Walk Map “Around and About” series are all available to purchase from Masham Community Office to make sure you find the best route. We have a range of printed maps available too.
If you prefer to pick up your pace and run off-road, the footpaths and trails around us are perfect and will certainly blow away the cobwebs.
Walkers and runners are advised to park at the Shooting Holme or Masham Sports Association car parks which have an honesty box. This helps Masham’s retail businesses as it leaves plenty of parking in the market square for shoppers.
Masham Sports AssociationWalks Incorporating Hackfall Woods
Hackfall Woods with its ancient woodland, follies and views is accessible from Masham on foot or there is a small car park – read more below for info. From Masham Community Office it is around 3 miles into the woods and the footpath is beautifully scenic along the riverside and through pasture.
Once in Hackfall there are follies and vistas to explore and you could choose to return by the same path or extend the walk a short distance into Grewelthorpe. There you will find refreshment at the Crown Pub or the Village Hall Café.
Alternatively, there are many other options to extend the walk – OS map advised:
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- Continue through Hackfall and walk via Mickley and Slenningford to West Tanfield (6.5 miles one way). Check bus timetables for returning to Masham or retrace your steps if you are up for 13 miles in total.
- Instead, climb up the wooded gorge in the direction of the Hackfall car park. Cross over the road into Nutwith Woods. There are several footpaths that will bring you on a circular route back to Masham via Swinton. The shortest route being to walk through the beautiful woods towards the Cairn at Roomer Common, then along the road and public footpath towards Swinton, and from there to back to Masham. Around 6 miles in total.
- Many more, longer routes are possible from Nutwith woods heading out onto open moorland above Ilton.
Walking on Swinton Estate
The 20,000 acres of the Swinton Estate has over 63 miles of public footpaths plus many more permissive trails with views to Teeside on a clear day. From riverside strolls to challenging hikes across the moors to Nidderdale, all surrounded by breathtaking scenery. You will not run out of options, whatever the season.
An OS map is recommended for more extensive walking and is available from Masham Community Office. However, in association with AllTrails guides, Swinton has six illustrated walks available to download from their app or website. There are many trails that can be started and finished at Swinton Bivouac, or short walks in the stunning Swinton Park Hotel’s parkland and gardens, for which there is a charge.
You Can't Beat A Pub Walk
Walks involving great pubs aren’t hard to come by around here!
Try the circular walk from The Millbank Arms in Well, just three miles from Masham, around Nosterfield Nature Reserve and you can be sure of great food and refreshment when done.
Walks starting and finishing in Masham itself will inevitably be passing a good pub! The Kings Head, The Bruce Arms and The Bay Horse all serve food. All are located on Masham Market Square so provide a perfect end to walks heading south along the river towards Hackfall or Swinton.
The White Bear , and Black Sheep Bar and Bistro, are situated to the north of the A6108 and so are perfectly located as a stop off for walks around Marfield Wetlands or west towards Fearby and Healey.
A walk in the direction of Fearby should take in The Black Swan. Walks through Hackfall to Grewelthorpe are perfectly combined with a visit to The Crown.
West Tanfield, pictured above, has The Bull perfectly perched on the riverside and the Bruce Arms across the road. Other nearby villages have great pubs that merit a walk to justify a visit…such as The Buck Inn at Thornton Watlass, The Millbank Arms at Well, The Castle Arms at Snape or The Queens Head at Kirkby Malzeard.
Walking Around Marfield Wetlands Nature Reserve
You’ll find beautiful and mainly accessible walks around Marfield Wetlands Nature Reserve on the outskirts of Masham. A former sand and gravel pit, now with lakes, ponds and surrounding fen, wet grassland and woods.
Just a short walk from the centre of Masham, Marfield Wetlands are designated as a Site of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINC) and located adjacent to Marfield Fen SSSI and the River Ure corridor.
Beautiful walks and viewing hides are throughout the site. A circular walk from Masham loops along the river and up to the wetlands before heading back to Masham and passing the Black Sheep Brewery and White Bear for refreshment!
Dogs are welcome but must be kept on a lead.
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