The Fountains Way
A rewarding way to arrive at Fountains Abbey on foot, via rural paths from Ripon and the stately lime avenue through Studley Royal Deer Park. The return stretch of this circular walk takes you through the Seven Bridges Valley.
Annual mating season
Please take extra care during the months of October and November when the annual mating season – deer rut – takes place. Ensure you keep your distance and have dogs on a short lead at all times.
Total stages: 7
Total stages: 7
Start point
Ripon bus station, grid ref: SE314714
Stage 1
There are two different routes depending on your confidence and the nature of your mobility vehicle. Leave Ripon bus station, heading west towards Queen Street, then bear left to Market Place. Cross the square diagonally to the south-west corner and bear left via pedestrian crossings, past the end of Westgate and down the hill along High Skellgate. Continue down to the traffic-light-controlled junction. Go straight on at the junction, across the pedestrian crossing into Low Skellgate, taking care on the narrow footpath. Go past the service garage on the right, bear left and continue over the bridge to Harrogate Road. Alternative route: From the bus station, head down to the toilet blocks, turn right and go through the footpath in the top corner of the car park. Continue straight ahead, through the walled corner, then keep to the right hand path to the road. Cross the road, head in front of the cathedral and along the footpath straight ahead, which winds left along the side of the cathedral. Continue along this path, bearing right at the path junction, to come out onto the road. Turn left, then right down Low Saint Agnesgate. Continue straight ahead over the bridge to the Water Rat pub. Turn right in front of the pub and follow the riverside path. At the end of the footpath, cross the road and turn right up toward Bondgate Bridge. Cross the road and ahead down the footpath opposite, to follow the riverside path again. At the end of this footpath follow the road ahead to come out onto Harrogate Road (Low Skellgate Bridge).
Stage 2
Off road route - Turn right along Borrage Green Lane and continue down the road, which eventually becomes a wide footpath, joining the River Skell on your right. Pass a wooden bridge on your right and continue ahead to climb some concrete steps. Follow the path through scrubland, mostly keeping the river in view on your right. Emerge onto a road at Hell Wath Cottage. On road route - continue along Harrogate Road, until you come to the South Lodge pub. Turn right and continue down Whitcliffe Lane until you come to the crossroads at the end. Please note that there are areas with no dropped kerbs along this road. Turn right down Hell Wath Lane, and continue straight past the Ripon Panthers’ clubhouse until you reach Hell Wath Cottage.
Stage 3
If you've walked through Hell Wath, turn right through the wooden gate. If you've come down the vehicle track, continue straight through the wooden gate. Continue along a wide gravel path and across two narrow bridges. At the crossroads, turn left following the sign post to Studley Roger and Fountains Abbey. After passing through a swinging gate you'll arrive in Studley Roger village.
Stage 4
There are two different routes depending on your confidence and the nature of your mobility vehicle. Off road route - cross the road, continue along straight along the public footpath and head through the gate into Studley Royal Deer Park. After you reach the interpretation panel, follow the path to your left along the wall until you join the main vehicle drive in the park. On road route - turn left heading along the vehicle road then bear right following signs to Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal along the main vehicle drive in the park. On a clear day, you'll see St Mary's church ahead. Turning around, you'll see Ripon Cathedral in the distance.
Stage 5
Follow the drive up towards a junction and turn left towards Studley Lake. At this point you can divert to visit the abbey ruins, water garden and lakeside tea-room. To continue your walk, as the drive bends right take the track on your left, crossing the footbridge with the lake on your right.
Stage 6
There are two different routes depending on your confidence and the nature of your mobility vehicle. Off road route - after crossing the footbridge, follow the well-defined footpath ahead, down the Valley of the Seven Bridges and follow the course of the River Skell. The river can disappear into swallow holes in the limestone rock during dry weather. After you've crossed five bridges (there were originally seven), exit the land in our care via a metal gate, following the track beside the river. At the track junction, bear left and continue up the hill to open views over Ripon and past Plumpton Hall farmhouse, returning to Studley Roger village, passing the entrance to the estate on your left. On road route - retrace your path back to Studley Roger village.
Stage 7
Continue straight ahead towards the B6265. When you reach the bus stop in Studley Royal village, turn right following the public footpath sign. From here, retrace your way back through sections 3, 2 and 1 to take you back to Ripon bus station.
End point
Ripon bus station, grid ref: SE314714
Trail map
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