Yorke's Folly and Guisecliff Wood from Bewerley
North Yorkshire
Bewerley is a small hamlet just outside Pateley Bridge at the heart of Nidderdale where dogs stay close on a lead near the sheer drops and grazing sheep at the top, and this 6.8km circuit climbs steadily onto Guise Cliff, a ridge of gritstone rock above the village. Yorke's Folly, also known as the Two Pinnacles, stands on top: two tall stone columns raised over 200 years ago as a landscape feature, out of an original three, one of which collapsed in 1893. The route descends through Guisecliff Wood, an expanse of ancient woodland with a small hidden lake among the trees and a carpet of bluebells in spring. Underfoot is a mix of moorland and woodland paths, with a real climb to the cliff top and some rocky, uneven ground.
This is a dog friendly walk with good off-lead potential through Guisecliff Wood and on the quieter riverside stretches, where a dog can range and follow scent through the ancient woodland undisturbed. The top of Guise Cliff has precipitous cliffs and hidden crevices, so keep dogs close and under control up there, and watch for sheep in the surrounding fields and near the summit, where a lead is the safer choice. There's little water on the higher ground, so carry some for a thirsty dog. Bewerley itself has just a red telephone box and a working water trough, with cafes and pubs a short drive away in Pateley Bridge.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 6.8 km (4.2 miles)
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Duration
- 2 hr 20 min
- Walk Type
- Woodland, Historic, Moorland
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- Moderate
- Livestock Risk
- Moderate
- Facilities
- None in Bewerley; cafes and pubs a short drive away in Pateley Bridge.
- Parking
- Roadside parking in Bewerley village, near the water trough.
Dog Friendly Stays Nearby
Make a weekend of it. These are the closest dog friendly places to stay to Yorke's Folly and Guisecliff Wood from Bewerley, each one checked for its dog policy before we listed it.
Duck Cottage - Grewelthorpe
Sleeps 2 · 2 dogs · Enclosed garden
from £620 / 7 nights
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All dog friendly stays in North YorkshireFrequently Asked Questions
Is Yorke's Folly and Guisecliff Wood from Bewerley dog friendly?
This 6.8km circuit is a solid choice for dogs, earning a 7 out of 10 for dog friendliness. The ancient woodland of Guisecliff Wood and quieter riverside stretches offer good off-lead time, though the clifftop section requires more care with dogs kept close due to sheer drops and grazing sheep nearby.
Can dogs be off lead at Yorke's Folly and Guisecliff Wood from Bewerley?
There's good off-lead potential through Guisecliff Wood, where dogs can roam and follow scent through the ancient trees, and on the quieter riverside stretches. At the top of Guise Cliff, however, it's best to keep dogs on a lead — the cliffs are precipitous, there are hidden crevices underfoot, and sheep graze in the surrounding fields near the summit.
What should I know before visiting Yorke's Folly and Guisecliff Wood from Bewerley with my dog?
The route involves a real climb with rocky, uneven ground, so it suits a reasonably fit dog. There's little water on the higher ground, so bring some with you for a thirsty dog. Bewerley itself is a small hamlet with no facilities beyond a working water trough, but cafes and pubs are just a short drive away in Pateley Bridge. Parking is roadside in the village, near the water trough.
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