Brimham Rocks,

Summerbridge, Harrogate HG3

4DW

TRAIL

Walking

GRADE

Easy

DISTANCE

1.25 miles (1.8km)

TIME

1 hour

OS MAP

OS Explorer 26

Contact01423 780688

brimhamrocks@nationaltrust.org.uk

FacilitiesShop, Visitor Centre andRefreshment Kiosk (checkopenening times)

Toilets

Cycle Racks

http://nationaltrust.org.uk/walks

Circular walk at Brimham RocksThis short walk will show you thehighlights of Brimham from theamazing rock formations to thefantastic heather moorland.

TerrainNot suitable for wheelchairs or pushchairs. Rough footpaths. Sturdy footwear advisable

Things to see

Brimham Rocks,

Summerbridge, Harrogate HG3

4DW

Start/endStart: Brimham Rocks car park,grid ref: SE206650End: Brimham Rocks car park,grid ref: SE206650

How to get thereBy bus: Nidderdale Ramblerruns Sundays from Harrogateto brimham Rocks, April toOctober, plus selected winterSundays. Other services fromHarrogate to Pateley Bridgealight Summerbridge, 2 miles.

By car: off B6165, 11 milesfrom Harrogate; off B6265,4 miles from Pateley Bridge.Parking free for National Trustmembers. non members £5 upto 4 hours £6 all day.

http://nationaltrust.org.uk/walks

1. Take the sloping all-weather path behind the notice board out of the car park. Follow the all-weather path through the rocks passing Surprise View, which boasts impressive views up Nidderdale.Further on, leave the track and see if you can find Cannon Rocks - so called because of the 20-metrehollow cannon (tube) through the solid rock.

2. You will pass the famous oak tree which has been growing out of a rock for over 250 years. Weknow this because it is shown in a sketch of Brimham by Moles Griffiths in 1804, and mentioned inpoetry by Ebenezer Elliot published in 1833. The all weather path then meets the track to BrimhamHouse directly in front of you, with the kiosk and toilet block to your right. At this point it is worth aslight detour up the steps near Brimham House to the view point. There you will have superb viewstowards York and Harrogate. You will also find the visitor centre and shop for further informationabout the geology and social history of the site.

3. Turn left and follow the tarmac road up a slight incline, take the left fork by a large rock through thestaff car park. Directly in front of you is the Dancing Bear (Begging Dog).

4. Follow the track past the Dancing Bear and after about 100 metres you will glimpse the DruidsWriting Desk, now often called ET, and further along the Druids Idol (Idol Rock), probably the mostfamous and spectacular rock at Brimham. Keep going past the Idol Rock and on your left hand sideare views over Dallowgill Moor (beware of steep drops).

5. After about 100 metres the track turns sharply to the right giving views of Mushroom Rock in thedistance, and an expanse of moorland (which consists mainly of Common Heather Calluna vulgaris,sometime called ling). Keeping the moorland on your left hand side and the rocks on your right followthe path past the rocks on the right, towards Middle Crag, the large body of rocks in the distance.

6. At the habitat pile turn right towards a lone rock called The Gorilla. After working here for someyears our Warden still can't see the gorilla in this rock; can you? Just past this rock the path turnsback on itself to the left following a small valley, keeping Middle Crags on your left hand side. Followthis path for approx 400 metres, until it enters the main car park.