Fountains Abbey & Markenfield Hall

About trip

1 From the car park turn right uphill, signed 'Harrogate'. At the fork go left, signed 'Markington, Harrogate'. Just after the road bends right, go over a stile beside a gate with bridleway signs.

2 Follow the grassy path just inside the ancient Abbey Wall, past a small pond. Go through a waymarked gate and follow the track as it curves round to the right through another gate then left round the farm buildings of Hill House Farm. Go through a small gate near the farm house.

3 Turn right then follow the footpath signs to go left at the end of a large shed and then right. Go through a metalled gate on to a track. At the end of the hedge go ahead down the field to a gate into the wood. Follow the track, passing the ruined archway, to descend to a crossroads.

4 Go straight on, signed 'Ripon'. The track climbs to a gate with a Ripon Rowel Walk sign. Follow the track beside the line of trees to a gate on to Whitcliffe Lane. Turn right. At the top of the rise go straight ahead on the metalled road.

5 Go over the cattle grid by Bland Close, then straight ahead with the hedge on your right to reach a stile. Continue along the waymarked track, eventually with woodland to your right. Go over a stile near a metal gate and follow the track as it goes right to reach a gate. Turn right to some farm buildings by Markenfield Hall.

6 Follow the wall to the left, going through a metal gate and straight ahead down the track, through a gate. Follow the track, then a waymark sign, across a field to a stile by a gate. Turn right up the narrow Strait Lane, to emerge into a field.

7 Follow the waymarked path beside a field. Go through a gate in the field corner and continue ahead with the hedge to the right. Go through four more gates and follow the track as it curves towards farm buildings. Go over a stile into the farmyard of Morcar Grange, and ahead to the metalled Whitcliffe Lane.

8 Turn left and follow the lane as it bends left then right. At the next corner, look for a stile on the right beside a gate. Cross the field half left and go over three stiles, following the waymarked path towards the buildings. Go over a stile and pass between the buildings to reach a metalled road. Turn back to the car park.