Brimham Rocks & Glasshouses village loop from Pateley Bridge

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United Kingdom

England

Yorkshire And The Humber

North Yorkshire

Harrogate

High And Low Bishopside

Brimham Rocks & Glasshouses village loop from Pateley Bridge

Moderate

4.8

(136)

596

hikers

Brimham Rocks & Glasshouses village loop from Pateley Bridge

03:46

13.5km

260m

Hiking

Embark on a moderate 8.4-mile (13.5 km) hike through the scenic Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, a journey that typically takes around 3 hours and 45 minutes. You will gain about 865 feet (264 metres) in elevation as you explore varied terrain, from tranquil riverside paths along the River…

Last updated: April 23, 2026

Tips

Your route passes through a protected area

Please check local regulations for:

Nidderdale AONB

Waypoints

Start point

Parking

Get Directions

228 m

Pateley Bridge — Market Town

Highlight • Historical Site

Hailed as the 'Capital of Nidderdale', Pateley Bridge is a pretty market town and a haven for hikers. There are lots of footpaths and routes starting from the town, including …

Tip by

6.06 km

Brimham Rocks Visitor Centre

Highlight • Rest Area

The National Trust visitor centre and cafe has lots of information about the rocks and the trusts conservation work. The kiosk serves drinks, snacks and cakes.
Open daily from 11:00 - 16:00. Kiosk opening is sometimes shorter hours.

Tip by

6.31 km

Brimham Rocks

Highlight • Natural Monument

The breathtakingly-beautiful rock formations of Brimham Rocks were created by an enormous river some 350 million years ago. They have since been shaped by millions of years worth of wind, …

Tip by

11.4 km

Glasshouses Village and Lake

Highlight • Settlement

Glasshouses is a pretty village on the River Nidd in the Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The Nidderdale Way passes just to the north of the village, while the …

Tip by

13.5 km

End point

Parking

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

5.86 km

3.05 km

2.29 km

1.61 km

635 m

Surfaces

4.82 km

3.29 km

2.29 km

2.07 km

632 m

339 m

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Highest point (290 m)

Lowest point (110 m)

Weather

Sunday 4 October

19°C

13°C

22 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 24.0 km/h

to get more detailed weather forecasts along your route

Comments

April 5, 2025,Brimham Rocks from Pateley Bridge

Making the most of the spring sunshine with a very pleasant loop from Pateley Bridge. Starting with a pleasant amble alongside the River Nidd, the route gradually climbs through Smelthouses and High Wood to the weird and wonderful gritstone outcrop of Brimham Rocks. After a well-deserved ice cream, return to Pateley Bridge via the Nidderdale Way.

August 30, 2024,Pateley Bridge to Brimham rocks loop

Parked at HG3 5NA (£1.80 charge for 24hrs) - take cash. Cafe nearby. Well marked paths. Start alongside the river Nidd woodland. Then uphill towards the amazing Brimham rocks. We spent about an hour on the rocks plus lunch break including ice creams from the shop. Brimham rocks were busy (popular family tourist area). Headed back, some ups and downs …

November 12, 2022,Pateley Bridge to Brimham rocks loop (easy flat hike)

Had a dry sunny day for the hike but the paths were muddy but not slippy. Start point was the car park in Pateley Bridge (£1.80 per day). Made our way over to the spectacular National Trust Brimham Rocks which are a great place to visit as a family on their own. Then return through a woodland/ farmland walk. Most …