West Burton Circular Walk
- Michael Palmer
- Nov 21, 2024
- 7 min read
Updated: 4 days ago
West Burton Circular Walk – 4.08 Easyish Miles in the Yorkshire Dales
Looking for a beautiful Yorkshire Dales walk combining a traditional village, waterfall, open countryside and classic Wensleydale scenery? Our 4.08-mile West Burton Circular Walk is a lovely route through one of our favourite parts of North Yorkshire.
Lyn and I personally walked, photographed and GPS recorded this route for The White Shire.
We’d describe this one as easyish.
It isn’t particularly long at just over four miles, and we didn’t find it especially difficult, but this is the Yorkshire Dales rather than a flat canal towpath. There are natural countryside paths and changes in level along the way.
For us, that little bit of extra effort is worthwhile.
West Burton is a beautiful traditional Dales village, and Cauldron Falls gives us a great landmark before we head out into the surrounding Wensleydale countryside.
West Burton Circular Walk at a Glance
Distance: 4.08 miles
Route type: Circular
Difficulty: Easyish – based on our experience
Location: West Burton, Wensleydale
County: North Yorkshire
Area: Yorkshire Dales
Nearby: Aysgarth, Bainbridge, Askrigg and Hawes
Terrain: Village paths, field paths, tracks and Dales countryside
Highlights: West Burton, Cauldron Falls, village green and Wensleydale scenery
Walked and photographed by: Michael and Lyn Palmer, The White Shire
Our 4.08-Mile West Burton Circular Walk
Lyn and I found this to be a really enjoyable Dales walk.
At 4.08 miles, it isn't particularly long, but there's enough variety to make it feel like a proper countryside walk.
And that's why we've gone with easyish rather than simply easy.
There aren't huge distances or anything we'd consider seriously challenging, but you're walking through the Yorkshire Dales, so expect natural paths and some ups and downs.
We'd much rather describe our walks according to how we actually found them than make every shorter route sound completely effortless.
Starting in West Burton
West Burton is exactly the sort of Yorkshire village we enjoy discovering.
Stone cottages surround the traditional village green, with the surrounding hills giving us a reminder that we're right in the heart of the Dales.
It's the sort of place where we're quite happy to spend a little time looking around before starting the walk.
And there's another good reason not to rush away.
Cauldron Falls is close by.
Cauldron Falls
Cauldron Falls is one of the best-known features of West Burton.
The water tumbles over the rocks into a pool below, creating a lovely little waterfall surprisingly close to the centre of the village.
For Lyn and me, waterfalls always add something to a walk.
There's the sound of the water before we even see it, and naturally it's also somewhere we're going to stop for photographs.
Depending on recent rainfall, the appearance can change considerably.
After wetter weather, there's obviously much more water coming through.
Out into Wensleydale
Once we leave the village surroundings behind, the walk gives us the countryside we came to the Yorkshire Dales for.
Open fields.
Stone walls.
Rolling hills.
And those big Wensleydale views.
This is where the walk starts to feel very different from many of our routes closer to home in West Yorkshire.
There's a sense of space here.
Even on a relatively short four-mile walk, the surrounding landscape makes everything feel much bigger.
Why We've Rated This Walk Easyish
We think easyish is probably the best description.
At 4.08 miles, the distance itself is very manageable.
But this isn't a completely flat, surfaced route.
We're walking through Dales countryside, and there are sections where the terrain and changes in level require a little more effort than one of our easy canal or park walks.
We certainly wouldn't describe it as difficult.
For us, it sits nicely between an easy stroll and something we'd class as moderate.
If you're comfortable with normal countryside walking and a few ups and downs, we think you'll be fine.
Walking Through Yorkshire Dales Countryside
One of the things we particularly enjoy about walking around Wensleydale is how traditional much of the landscape still feels.
Dry-stone walls divide the fields.
Old farm buildings sit amongst the hills.
Small villages appear in the valleys.
And footpaths take us through landscapes that generations of people have walked and farmed.
That's part of what makes the Yorkshire Dales so enjoyable for us.
We're not simply looking at attractive scenery.
We're walking through a working landscape.
A Landscape Shaped by Farming
Farming has played an enormous role in creating the Yorkshire Dales landscape we recognise today.
The fields, stone walls, barns and tracks aren't simply decorative features.
They're part of centuries of farming.
When Lyn and I walk through somewhere like West Burton, that's always worth remembering.
The countryside we're enjoying exists alongside people's homes and livelihoods.
So we stick to the paths, respect livestock and make sure gates are left as we find them.
A Walk for Taking Your Time
We don't think this is a route to rush.
Yes, it's only 4.08 miles.
But what's the point of travelling into the Yorkshire Dales and then trying to complete the walk as quickly as possible?
Lyn and I are normally stopping for photographs anyway.
West Burton gives us plenty of reasons.
The waterfall.
The village.
Views across the fields.
Stone barns.
And the surrounding hills.
Quite often, four miles takes us considerably longer than the mileage might suggest.
That's fine by us.
Is the West Burton Circular Walk Difficult?
We wouldn't describe it as difficult.
Our rating is easyish.
The 4.08-mile distance is manageable, but there are natural countryside paths and some changes in level.
Weather can make a significant difference too.
After prolonged rain, field paths can become muddy and slippery.
Good walking footwear is therefore worthwhile even though this isn't one of our more challenging routes.
The Yorkshire Dales National Park also advises walkers to choose routes suitable for their ability and highlights that there are walks across the Dales for a wide range of abilities. (Yorkshire Dales National Park)
Is This Walk Suitable for Beginners?
If you're comfortable walking around four miles through normal countryside, we'd consider it.
If you've only ever walked on surfaced paths or flat canal towpaths, expect this to feel a little more adventurous.
That's one reason we've used easyish rather than easy.
It's still very approachable, but it gives you a taste of proper Dales walking without committing to a long or particularly demanding route.
If you're looking for something different, The White Shire has plenty of shorter, longer, easier and more challenging Yorkshire walks.
How Long is the West Burton Circular Walk?
Our GPS-recorded West Burton Circular Walk measures 4.08 miles, which is also the distance shown on The White Shire's North Yorkshire Walks collection. (The White Shire)
How long it takes will depend on your walking pace and how often you stop.
And we definitely stop.
For us, there's little point walking through scenery like this without taking time to enjoy it.
We're photographing the route for The White Shire, looking at the landscape and quite often wondering about something we've passed that we'll research when we get home.
That's become part of the enjoyment for us.
When is the Best Time to Walk West Burton?
We'd happily return to West Burton at different times of year.
Spring brings fresh growth and colour back to the valley.
Summer gives us long days for exploring the Dales.
Autumn changes the colours across the landscape.
And winter can give the village and surrounding countryside a completely different atmosphere.
The recent weather is probably more important than the season.
Rain can make countryside paths muddier, while it can also make Cauldron Falls considerably more impressive.
That's Yorkshire for you – the rain has to have some advantages.
Exploring More of Wensleydale
West Burton is a great base for discovering more of Wensleydale.
And that's where The White Shire becomes particularly useful.
Lyn and I haven't just walked West Burton.
Our North Yorkshire collection includes routes around Bainbridge, Hawes, Aysgarth and other parts of the Yorkshire Dales. Your live North Yorkshire Walks page currently lists the 4.18-mile Bainbridge Circular Walk alongside West Burton. (The White Shire)
So if you enjoy this route, there are plenty of reasons to come back and explore another part of the valley.
Nearby Bainbridge
Bainbridge is particularly worth mentioning because it's another village Lyn and I have explored on foot.
It lies in Upper Wensleydale and has a fascinating Roman connection.
Historic England records the Roman fort of Virosidum on Brough Hill above the confluence of the River Bain and River Ure. Excavations have shown it was an important military centre for more than 300 years. (Historic England)
Rather than cramming all that history into this West Burton article, it gives us another reason to explore the wider area.
And another White Shire walk for another day.
Discovering the Yorkshire Dales with The White Shire
The White Shire is about more than collecting walking routes.
Lyn and I personally get out and explore Yorkshire together.
We walk the routes, GPS record them, take the photographs and then share what we've discovered.
That means our collection is gradually becoming a record of the Yorkshire we've actually explored.
West Burton fits into that perfectly.
Someone might arrive on this page looking for a four-mile Dales walk and then discover our routes around Bainbridge, Hawes, Aysgarth or somewhere completely different.
That's exactly what we want The White Shire to do.
Help you find one walk – and then inspire the next one.
About Michael and Lyn
Michael and Lyn Palmer explore Yorkshire together on foot, personally walking, photographing and GPS recording the routes featured on The White Shire.
We're not professional hikers.
We're simply a husband and wife who enjoy getting outside together and discovering more about Yorkshire.
Some of our walks are short and easy.
Some involve a bit more climbing.
Others turn into much bigger days out.
West Burton sits somewhere comfortably in the middle – short enough to be manageable, but with enough proper Yorkshire Dales countryside to make us feel like we've had a good walk.
West Burton Circular Walk – Our Verdict
Our GPS-recorded West Burton Circular Walk measures 4.08 miles.
We rate it as easyish.
For Lyn and me, it's a lovely introduction to walking around Wensleydale.
West Burton itself gives us a traditional Yorkshire Dales village, Cauldron Falls adds a great natural landmark and the surrounding countryside provides the views and landscape we've come here to enjoy.
There are a few ups and downs and natural countryside paths, which is why we haven't simply labelled it easy.
But we certainly didn't find it particularly difficult.
At just over four miles, it's a manageable Yorkshire Dales walk with plenty packed into it.
And once you've finished, don't stop at West Burton.
There's a lot more of Wensleydale waiting to be explored – and Lyn and I are gradually walking our way around it for The White Shire.
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