Hell Wath Nature Trail
Wander down Hell Wath path in Ripon, along the River Skell, through woodland glade, meadows and hedgerows. Peer into ponds, scramble over woods and look out for the remains of a First World War camp in the woods too.
Follow your own trail
The Hell Wath nature trail has been clearly waymarked so you can decide which route and direction to take.
Total stages: 4
Total stages: 4
Start point
Hell Wath grid ref: SE304707
Stage 1
The name Hell Wath comes from the old Norse language and means ‘flat stone ford’. Look for this convenient river crossing nearby.
Stage 2
Over 400 species of plants, big and small, call Hell Wath their home.
Stage 3
It’s hard to imagine now, but Hell Wath was part of an enormous army camp during the First World War. It grew from an existing summer camp used by the territorial army into part of a vast army camp with 2000 timber huts housing 42,000 men and 10,000 horses. Wilfred Owen, a famous war poet, was one of the soldiers. He and 1.5 million other men passed through the camp between 1914 and 1919.
Stage 4
Before World War One farmers grazed cattle here when this land belonged to the Fountains Abbey estate. After the war, Ripon Racecourse took over part of this site, while a nearby gravel quarry employed local men.
End point
Hell Wath grid ref: SE304707
Trail map
More near here
Skell Valley Explorer
Enjoy a countryside walk around Grantley and Sawley featuring Spa Gill Woods and Eavestone Lake.
The Fountains Way
Walk to Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal from Ripon, taking in cathedral views from the lime avenue through the deer park, then explore the Seven Bridges Valley on your return.
The Seven Bridges Valley walk
On this circular walk, you'll cross delightful arched bridges as you follow the meandering Skell river.
Fountains Abbey ancient trees walk
Explore the highlights of the park on this circular walk and learn more about the ancient trees in the deer park and insights into the 18th-century landscape.
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