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Muker Village

Muker is a small village in upper Swaledale, beside the River Swale, reached from Garsdale over the Buttertubs Pass from Hawes to Thwaite. The pass itself is a very high, wild road with fantastic views of the hills and valleys. From Thwaite the road continues into Muker, which is a stone-built village with craft shops, a couple of lovely cafes for lunch, and some beautiful walks from the village up the dale and onto the surrounding fells. The village is famous for its hay meadows - protected and managed in the traditional way, they are spectacular in summer - and nearby Keld sits at the meeting of Swaledale and Arkengarthdale. Muker and Keld are also on the Pennine Way, which passes through Wensleydale, and a visit combines well with a day exploring upper Swaledale.

The Muker Walk

Muker's landscape is largely unchanged from the late 18th and early 19th century - the field barns and drystone walls radiate out from the village in the pattern that has been there for two hundred years - and its species-rich hay meadows burst into colour in late spring and early summer. This circular route starts at Muker and follows the River Swale east to the village of Gunnerside, returning across the fells. Swaledale is a lush green valley with a patchwork of tiny fields and barns, and it has never been one of the more popular tourist dales, which is part of its appeal. Muker is about 45 minutes' drive from Garsdale, over the tops into Swaledale. The Keld to Tan Hill Inn walk - Britain's highest pub - is reachable on a longer walk from Keld, further up the dale.

  • Start point: Muker village
  • Distance: 6.8 miles/11km, around 4 hours, moderate
  • Parking: Muker village car park
  • Route description: Countryfile - Muker walk
Muker wildflower meadow and barn

Stay Near Muker village

We have three holiday cottages in Garsdale you can use as a base for visiting Muker village.

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