Grassington Moor and Hebden Circular
The moor above Grassington has layers — wildflowers, curlews, and the eerie ruins of 18th-century lead mines that made this one of England's most productive mining landscapes.
Effort: Moderate distance, manageable climb
Underfoot: Some uneven or off-path ground
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Mostly on runnable ground, but most runners still walk the steepest climbs.
A moorland loop above Grassington taking in the industrial archaeology of Grassington Moor — lead mine ruins, smelt mills, and open limestone country.
The moor above Grassington has layers — wildflowers, curlews, and the eerie ruins of 18th-century lead mines that made this one of England's most productive mining landscapes.
The route
From Grassington, the route climbs onto the moor via Sedber Lane, passing the well-preserved remains of Duke's New Level and the Grassington Moor lead mining complex before continuing to the open moor.
The archaeology
Grassington Moor contains some of the best-preserved lead mining remains in the Dales — flues, smelt mills, and bell pits from the 18th and 19th centuries. The landscape is both industrial and beautiful in equal measure.
The return
Descend through Hebden village and return to Grassington via the riverside path along the Wharfe.
Partner · affiliate policy
Open mine shafts on the moor — do not enter any mine workings. Keep dogs away from shaft openings.
Safety on this route
- No signal? Text 999 — pre-register first: text register to 999
- Tell someone your route and expected return time before you head out
Leave No Trace
- Leave nothing but footprints, take nothing but memories.
- Please respect the countryside and all its inhabitants.
- Dogs on leads near livestock, and around ground-nesting birds from March to July.
- Gates as you find them — open or closed, leave it that way for the farmer and the next runner.
- Take it all home — wrappers, peel, tissue, the lot. It doesn't count as biodegradable if you can still see it.
- Stick to the path where the ground either side is wet, planted, or nesting habitat.
Common questions
- Most runners complete Grassington Moor and Hebden Circular in 2 hours 5 minutes to 2 hours 45 minutes, depending on pace and conditions.
Run by us· last checked July 2026
Jason Millward has run this route and written it up from the ground. How we check routes
About the author
Runner reports
Nobody's logged a run here yet. If you get out on it, a few lines about how it went helps the next person plan their day.
Routes nearby
Start from a town: Grassington 0.1 km · Kettlewell 8.3 km · Skipton 12 km
VERY HARD
MODERATE
MODERATE
HARDRaces on this ground
All Yorkshire Dales races →Races starting within 20 km of the Grassington Moor and Hebden Circular start, nearest first. If you are entered for one, this route is the rehearsal.
17
Oct
2026
Ultra Tour of the Yorkshire Dales
Devonshire Institute, 48 Main Street, Grassington, North Yorkshire · Due North Events · 0 miles away
Grassington to Malham Tarn, Arncliffe and Wharfedale, with route choice between checkpoints.
VERY HARD TO EXPERT
Entries open
17
Apr
2027
Burnsall Trail Races
Riverside car park field, Burnsall, North Yorkshire · Due North Events · 2 miles away
Riverside paths and stone tracks out of Burnsall, on the Dales Way.
MODERATE TO HARD
Entries open
19
Jun
2027
provisional
Kettlewell (Skirfare) Trail Races
Hawkswick Cote car park field, Kettlewell, North Yorkshire · Due North Events · 4 miles away
Out of Hawkswick Cote into upper Wharfedale, with nine hundred metres of climb on the half.
HARD TO VERY HARD
Not open yet
1
May
2027
Pennine Barrier Ultra 50
Malham, North Yorkshire · GB Ultras · 6 miles away
Fifty hard Dales miles out of Malham.
EXPERT
Entries open