Elevation: 52 ft
Accesibility Rating: 3/10
Terrain: Paved city streets and off road paths
Parking: St Margate & Cathedral car park

 1. Starting outside Ripo Town Hall, face the Town Hall and turn right.

2. Follow the pavement along and turn left onto High Skellgate.

3.  Cross the road at the traffic lights and bear slightly right to continue along Low Skellgate.

4. Upon entering Low Skellgate, it is advisable to cross the road onto the right hand side as the road is very narrow in places.

5. Follow the road across the bridge as it joins with Harrogate Road.

6. Passing the park on your right, turn right at the end of the wall onto Borrage Green Lane.

7. Continue along the road and follow the gravel / dirt path into the woods, passing the Rustic bridge on your right hand side.

8. Follow the path through the woods, ascending the concrete stairs on the left.

9. At the fork in the paths, take the right hand path and descend the carved earth steps into the woodland.

10.  Emerging from the woodland, continue straight ahead and take the path leading slightly left across the open field.

11. At the entrance to the woods, the path becomes gravel. Follow this path until you reach a lane with a cottage.

12. Turn left at the cottage and continue up the lane.

13. At the end of the lane, turn right and turn right immediately onto Whitcliffe Lane.

There should be a sign reading 'Unsuitable for Motor Vehicles'.

14. Walk along the lane for approximately a mile, passing Whitcliffe Grange Farm / livery and Whitcliffe Hall farm.

15. Approximately 100 yards up the hill, there is a gate on your right.

16. At this point, turn right and go through the gate.

PLEASE NOTE: This path goes through an active dairy farm and livestock is usually in this field during the summer months. On the request of the land owners, please keep all dogs on a short lead and give space to the cattle.

The cattle are inquisitve and may approach or get close. If this happens, wave your arms and make a loud noise and the cow(s) are likely to back off.

17. Continue across the field and go through the marked gate.

18. Once through the gate, bear left and follow the path down to the point where it meets another path.

19. Turn right and descend the hill, taking care to watch your footing as the track is steep and uneven with a loose surface.

20. At the bottom of the hill, either ford the River or cross using the bidge on your left.

21. Turn left and follow the path until you reach some large metal gates.

22. Go through the gates, making sure to securely latch them behind you.

 You are now on the Studley Royal estate and in the Seven Bridges Valley.

23. Follow the path as it winds its way through the valley.

24. Upon reaching the lake, cross the final bridge and follow the paved road round the edge of the lake.

25. At the bottom of the hill, either continue straight ahead to visit the cafe or ascend the hill into the car park to continue the walk.

26. Cross the car park and ascend the grass path up the hill towards St Mary's Church.

At the top of the hill, you can either visit the church or bear right to follow the main drive down towards the main entrance archway for the estate.

27. Follow the drive down hill and take the path on your left approximately 300 yards from the archway.

28. Continue along the grass path over thridge and exit the estate via the small gateway set into the boundary wall.

29. Walk along the path and cross the road in the village to join the path back to Ripon.

30. Go through the wooden gate and follow the path down until you reach a crossroads.

31. At the crossroads, continue straight ahead and exit the path via the kissing gate.

32. Cross the main road and bear right, continuing along the pavement until you encounter a mini roundabout just after crossing a stone bridge.

33. At the roundabout, continue straight ahead onto Studley Road, keeping the cricket club and sports field on your right and on the opposite side of the road.

34. At the end of the road, cross the road at the junction and bear right.

35. Follow the pavement onto Park Street, keeping the Spa Gardens and Ripon Inn on your right hand side.

36. Upon reaching the end of Park Street, bear right onto Westgate and follow the road back into the Market Square.