#HawesMosaicWalk

[paulbeal]

🌿 Hawes Mosaic Walk: Seek Out 20 Mosaics in the Yorkshire Dales

🌄 There’s a brand-new walk now available on my website, and it’s something a bit different. The Hawes Mosaic Walk is an 11-mile circular route through the stunning countryside of Upper Wensleydale, with twenty mosaic artworks to track down along the way. The walk starts at the Dales Countryside Museum in Hawes and finishes at nearby St Margaret’s Church. On the way, you’ll wander through the villages of Burtersett, Gayle, Hardraw, and Sedbusk. Expect lovely rural paths, classic Yorkshire stone barns and walls, and sweeping views. You’ll also pass some brilliant features like the dramatic Aysgill Force waterfall and the impressive Appersett Viaduct with its towering arches.

🧭 The route covers 11 miles and usually takes around 5 hours to complete. There’s a total ascent of 369 metres, so it’s a decent walk but very manageable. It’s circular too, so you’ll end up back where you began. On the walk’s dedicated page, you’ll find clear directions, route stats, and photos of every single mosaic. All the mosaic locations are clearly shown, so they’re easy to spot. You’ll also find handy planning tools like interactive maps, downloadable GPX files, an elevation chart, and even a 3D fly-over to help you get a feel for the walk.

🏞️ The Hawes Mosaic Walk was created in 2000 by the local community to celebrate the millennium. Each mosaic links to a theme from the Millennium Window inside St Margaret’s Church, which you’ll see at the end of the walk. They reflect the culture, wildlife, farming heritage, and stories of the area. As you walk, you’ll see how the art and the landscape work together to tell a story about Upper Wensleydale, bringing a sense of connection between the past and present.

📸 There are loads of visual highlights on this route, starting with the mosaics themselves. Each one is a little surprise waiting to be found, whether tucked into a dry stone wall or sitting quietly beside a lane. Some favourites include the ‘Sheep in Field’, the ‘Curlew’, the ‘Steam Train’, and the ‘Red Squirrel’. The view from Bands Lane is another highlight, with Great Shunner Fell and Lovely Seat providing a stunning backdrop. The walk page is packed with photos of all the mosaics and scenery, so you can get a taste of it before setting off.

🚶‍♂️ If you’re a regular walker or just fancy something new, the Hawes Mosaic Walk is a brilliant way to explore Wensleydale on foot. It’s scenic, peaceful, and full of character, with some unusual artistic touches along the way. Have a look at the full walk page for the route, all the mosaics, and everything you need to plan your day out.