Walk Rylstone Fell, Cracoe Fell, Thorpe Fell Top and Embsay Moor from Embsay
Superb views - if you pick a clear day
This 12 mile, Grade 6 (Moderate), easy-to-follow, hand-crafted walk, complete with GPS Waypoints, starts at Embsay in the Yorkshire Dales & will take you about 6½ hrs to complete.
Detailed walk route map PDF | ||
Vital Statistics: | ||
| Walk No.: | ny124 | |
| Length: | 12 miles (19km) | |
| Ascent: | 2099 ft (640m) | |
| Time: | 6½ hours | |
| Grade: | ![]() | |
| Walk Type: | High Mountains | |
| Gear Needed: | Full mountain gear including boots, warm layers, waterproofs, food & water, and good weather | |
Route outline for this walk:
Embsay - Embsay Reservoir - Embsay Moor - Crookrise Crag Top - Waterfall Gill Beck - Rylstone Fell - Rylstone Cross - Watt Crag - Cracoe Fell - Cracoe War Memorial Cross Obelisk - Thorpe Fell Top - Upper Barden Reservoir - Embsay
Points of Interest/Notes on this walk:
The original wooden cross on Rylstone Fell was replaced in 1995 by a more durable concrete one. Bits of the old cross can be seen close by.
Rylstone (pronounced 'r-ill-stone') the village in the valley NE of Rylstone Fell) is home to the Rylstone Women's Institute - whose members posed naked for a charity calendar. Their story is told in the film 'Calendar Girls' starring Julie Walters and Helen Mirren.(NB. Most of the outdoor sequences purporting to be Rylstone were actually filmed in nearby Kettlewell).
Parts of this walk may be closed due to fire hazard (summer) and grouse shooting (Aug 12th to Dec - except Sundays). Notices are displayed in Embsay and details are available from the estate office on 01756 710227 (Mon to Fri, office hours). Dogs are not permitted at any time.
Peaks, Summits and Tops reached on this walk:
![]() 0 English Mountains |
![]() 0 Wainwrights |
![]() 0 English Nuttalls |
![]() 1 English Dewey |
![]() 0 Wainwright Outlying Fells |
![]() 1 Marilyn |
![]() 3 Bridgets |
Peak Bagging Statistics for this walk:
The highest point of this walk is Cracoe Fell at 507m (1663ft). Cracoe Fell is also known as an English Dewey (168th highest in England, 390th in England & Wales) and an English Marilyn (76th highest in England, 977th highest in the UK). The summit of Cracoe Fell is marked by an Ordnance Survey Trig Point.
Completing this walk will also take you to the top of Thorpe Fell Top at 506m (1660ft). Thorpe Fell Top is known as an English Bridget. The summit of Thorpe Fell Top is marked by an Ordnance Survey Trig Point.
You will also reach the summit of Crookrise Crag Top at 415m (1362ft). Crookrise Crag Top is known as an English Bridget. The summit of Crookrise Crag Top is marked by an Ordnance Survey Trig Point.
Along the way you will also bag and tick-off:
- Rylstone Fell at 410m (1345ft). Rylstone Fell is known as an English Bridget.
Be Adventure Smart
If walking in the Lake District (and anywhere else) please be adventure smart.
Ask yourself 5 questions before you set off:
- Am I confident I have the KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS for the day?
- Do I know what the WEATHER will be like?
- Do I have the right GEAR for the day?
- Do I have enough FOOD & DRINK for the day?
- Do I have all the ESSENTIAL ITEMS for the day?
Note that there is no mobile phone or WiFi coverage in many parts of the Lake District
A dedicated GPS Device can be a good navigational aid, but only if you know how to use it properly. See The Myths and Truths about GPS for Walking and Hiking
Free-to-access Interactive Walk Planning Maps:
1:25,000 scale OS Explorer Map (orange/yellow covers):
1:50,000 scale OS Landranger Maps (pink/magenta covers):
An Interactive Walk Planning Map for OS Landranger 104 Leeds & Bradford, Harrogate & Ilkley is not currently available
Some Photos and Pictures from Walk Rylstone Fell, Cracoe Fell, Thorpe Fell Top and Embsay Moor from Embsay
In no particular order . . .
. . . load all 49 pictures & photos from this walk
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