Dales 30
Personal Journey

Kisdon Hill

Route Options
Height

499m (1,637ft)

Location

Upper Swaledale

Neighbours

Rogan's Seat

Height

499m (1,637ft)

Location

Upper Swaledale

Neighbours

Rogan's Seat

Gallery of Kisdon Hill

Tall Boy Cairn summit
Tall Boy Cairn summit
Kisdon Hill towards Upper Swaledale
Kisdon Hill towards Upper Swaledale
Kisdon Farm
Kisdon Farm
Kisdon Hill to Great Shunner
Kisdon Hill to Great Shunner
Leaving the Access Land
Leaving the Access Land
Upper Swale from near Muker
Upper Swale from near Muker
Upper Swale looking south
Upper Swale looking south
Upper Swale on the eastern path
Upper Swale on the eastern path

Jonathan’s View

Kisdon Hill is a surprise but a pleasant one. It appears to have been carved out from the higher moors on each side by the power of water, rivers and glaciers. The steep sided, but relatively flat topped, hill is surrounded by deep valleys. On its summit you can almost touch the high moorlands to the north, east and west and it appears to be only a slightly larger leap south towards Great Shunner Fell. It is a proper hill.

The 1km summit plateau is surrounded by 3 delightful villages, Thwaite, Muker and Keld. They in turn are fed by the embryonic River Swale to the north and east or the much less significant tributary of Straw Beck to the west and south. Even though it is a little longer any walk over Kisdon Hill is much enhanced by a visit to all sides and in particular the 3 villages. My favourite walk does.

The flanks of Kisdon Hill is still mainly farming country with boundaries making any direct ascent to the summit unappealing and should not be undertaken. However the bridlepath which crosses the summit flank is truly the best way up, the 15 min detour to the top easy from its highest point.

Routes up Kisdon Hill

There is a choice of routes up Kisdon Hill . They are shown on the map and described below. The GPX file describes my favourite route.

click the image to see a larger version of the mao

My Favourite Route

From Muker

Height to Climb

370m (1,215 ft)

O/S Explorer Map
Parking

SD 909979. Park on the road outside Muker or in the car park next to the river.

  1. Park at the car park or on the road just outside Muker and head past the Farmers Arms to a bridleway heading in to the open hillside between some houses. Follow the lane up the steep (quite intimidating) hillside. For nearly 1km follow the farm track directly up the shoulder of the hill, do not become distracted by footpaths and other tracks leading off. After 1km arrive at Kisdon Farm to the east. Pass the main building (on your right) and continue alongside a wall up a still obvious track.
  2. The track to the left heads directly up hill. Heading initially north but after 500m at a wall bends east and soon enters open moorland. This is access land so you are free to leave the path and head north to the highest point. However it is best to follow the track until just short of the gate at the far end of the plateau (0nly 400m). Just short of the wall take the footpath to your right heading north towards the summit. The tall boy cairn is 600m from the bridlepath and is situated just over a dry stone wall. There are convenient steps over the wall for the few metres to the highest point and cairn. The views are excellent to the west.
  3. From the summit return to the bridlepath and follow it downhill in to the valley to the west of Kisdon Hill. This skirts the hillside before entering the village of Keld. From the summit of Kisdon Hill it looks possible to cut the corner towards Keld but this involves passing over private farm land and should not be done.
  4. From Keld you will follow the River Swale back to Muker and Thwaite. To achieve this in the most enjoyable way head south east on a good track, after 300m drop steeply to the river and cross it. From here the footpath/initially a good track skirts the lower slopes of Rogan’s Seat passing Kisdon Falls, Swinner Gill and the desolate Crackpot Hall. The path does climb initially but at Swinner Gill drops to the dale floor.
  5. After 3km there is a footbridge which crosses the River Swale and a footpath leading through fields to Muker Village. In May and June these are beautiful with wild flowers.
  6. It is possible to start this walk from Thwaite to complete all the villages around Kisdon Hill. However there is a lack of parking in Thwaite so best start at Muker.

Alternative Routes

Include Thwaite

13km (8 miles)

350m to climb

  1. From Thwaite join the footpath at the east end of the village and head up the obvious footpath (part of the Pennine Way) to meet the Muker route at Kisdon Farm.
  2. On the return complete the final 1km to Thwaite alongside the road (path or road option).

The Dales 30 Book

Buy your 132 page, full colour, guide to the mountains of the Dales. As well as a personal guide for your challenge, it can provide inspiration for your trips to the Dales.

Buy Now

Each of the 30 mountains includes the following:

A full description of the Best Route

A personal view of the mountain from the author

High quality, colour photography

A sketch map showing the route & alternatives

Facts and anecdotes about the mountain and the nearby area

Get In Touch

Join Us On:

Explore

Useful Links

© The Dales 30 2026. All rights reserved. Website by Freshspace.