Lead Mining Walk: Blakethwaite Dams & Gunnerside Gill

Starting at Surrender Bridge we follow the old miners' trails on a steady ascent of nearly 1000 feet over four miles past the Old Gang Smelt Mill to the large Blakethwaite Dams. The upper dam is made of massive stone blocks and the lower dam mainly earth and rough stones. These dams provided waterpower for mining in the upper part of Gunnerside Gill.

Distance: 9 miles
Difficulty: Moderate (but hard if the weather is hot)
Dogs welcome.  Please bring a packed lunch

Directions to the starting point: from Low Row (between Reeth and Muker on the B6270) take the unclassified moorland road towards Langthwaite.  Surrender Bridge is about a mile from Low Row.  Roadside parking is available.  what3words: ///skippers.refrain.evolution

Please note that we will not descend into Gunnerside Gill so this walk will visit the Blakethwaite dams only. There will be however the opportunity to discuss/describe the principal mining in the Gill such as St. Francis and Bunton mines, plus Blakethwaite Peat Store/Smelt Mill to inform another day's walk!