We are the Midlife Hikers. We open the way for everyone in our local community to enjoy the pleasures of walking.
Stephen D.
A walk from Ripon to Fountains Abbey and back, taking in woodland and riverside paths, rolling farmland, passing the mediaeval manor house of Markenfield Hall and climbing up to the folly of the How Hill Tower where we will stop for lunch enjoying great views over the surrounding area. We then return to Ripon past the ruins of Fountains Abbey 🏰, through the Studley deer park 🦌 and the magnificent Valley of the Seven Bridges where we will see stunning autumn colours 🍂.
The walk is mostly on good paths, tracks and quiet roads, but there may be a couple of muddy bits depending on the recent weather.
In the evening, we are organising a social to Fountains by Floodlight - please see separate event for details. We can call into a pub or café in Ripon for a quick drink if we have time after the walk, before heading back to Fountains Abbey for the evening event.
🅿️ St Marygate or Cathedral car park, Ripon, HG4 1LX, cost £2.60 all day (meet on the upper level near the shops and toilets)
🚻 Toilets adjacent to the car park, and at Fountains Abbey (about three quarters of the way round)
🚌 You can get to Ripon on the 82 bus from York Station at 08:40, or the 36 bus from Leeds at 08:40 and Harrogate at 09:40 – the bus station is right by the meeting point – regular return buses through the afternoon
🐶 Dogs welcome, but must be kept on a lead at all times
🥪 You will need to bring a packed lunch, or allow enough time to buy something in Ripon before we start
Midlife Hikers is a Ramblers group for people in their 40s and 50s, and our walks are led by volunteers. Non-members are welcome to try us out for free for up to 3 walks but then we ask you to join the Ramblers
Cathedral car park, Victoria Grove, Ripon, HG4 1LX
