Rylstone Cross

The Rylstone Cross hike is one of those Yorkshire Dales walks that feels bigger than its mileage suggests. Starting from the village of Rylstone, the route climbs quickly onto open fellside, reaches the well-known cross above the village, then carries on over Cracoe Fell before dropping into Cracoe and looping back. It is a straightforward round on paper, but it packs in wide views, a steady pull uphill, and a good stretch of classic Dales moorland walking.

Leaving Rylstone and Climbing to Rylstone Cross

I parked in Rylstone and set off along Chapel Lane, which is a pleasant enough start and gives you a bit of time to settle into the walk before the climbing begins. The village itself is quiet and tidy, and with the fells rising behind it you know straight away where you are headed. It does not take long before the route starts to gain height, and once you leave the lower lanes behind, the views begin to open out across this corner of the Yorkshire Dales.

The climb up to Rylstone Cross is the part most people will remember. It is not technical, but it is steep enough in places to make you work a bit, especially if the ground is damp. The bog factor is fairly low for this sort of walk, though there are still a few soft patches here and there, so decent boots are worth having. As I climbed, the village dropped away below and the landscape started to feel broader with every step.

One of the best things about this first section of the Rylstone Cross hike is how quickly the panorama improves. Looking back gives you a fine view over Rylstone and the surrounding fields, and ahead the line of the fell draws you onward. There is something satisfying about a route that gets straight to the point, and this one does exactly that.

Reaching the cross itself always feels like a proper landmark moment. It stands proudly above the village and gives the walk its character, with a sense of local history as well as a good excuse to stop for a breather. It is the sort of spot where you naturally pause, take a few photos, and have a look around before carrying on.

Rylstone Cross to Cracoe Fell

From Rylstone Cross, the route continues across higher ground towards Cracoe Fell. This section has a more open feel to it, with less of the direct upward effort of the first climb and more of that steady fell walking that lets you settle into a rhythm. The path can be a little rough underfoot in places, but it is never too awkward, and the changing views make it easy to enjoy.

There is something very Yorkshire Dales about this stretch. You are up on the tops, but not in a dramatic or showy way. Instead, it is all about space, limestone country, and that mixture of moor and pasture that gives the area its character. On a clear day you can see for miles, and even when the weather is more mixed, the whole route still has plenty about it.

I always think this middle part of the Rylstone Cross hike is where the walk comes into its own. The cross is the obvious headline point, but the continuation over Cracoe Fell makes it feel like a full outing rather than a simple up-and-down. It adds distance, variety, and a bit more solitude once the village is well behind you.

Lunch at the Cracoe Fell War Memorial

A highlight of the route for me was stopping for lunch by the war memorial on Cracoe Fell. It is a striking place to pause, both because of its position and because it has a quiet, reflective feel to it. After the climb and the walk across from Rylstone Cross, it makes a very good halfway point to sit down, have something to eat, and take in the surroundings for a while.

The memorial stands in a commanding position, and the views from around it are excellent. It is one of those places where the landscape does a lot of the talking. There is no need to rush on straight away. On a day with decent visibility, you can spend a good few minutes simply picking out features on the horizon and watching the light move across the fields below.

That stop also breaks the route nicely. Up to this point, the walk has been mostly about climbing and crossing the high ground. After lunch, the character changes as the route begins to turn towards the descent. If you like a walk with a clear high point, both literally and mentally, this part of the Rylstone Cross hike does the job well.

Descending by Abraham’s Hill and Nine Gates

From the memorial, I headed down via Abraham’s Hill and Nine Gates towards Cracoe. After the open fell, the descent feels like a gentle return to everyday life, with the village gradually drawing closer and the route becoming easier underfoot. It is a sensible and enjoyable way to finish the high-level part of the walk without simply retracing your steps.

The drop down needs a bit of care if the ground is wet, but it is never especially difficult. It is more a case of watching where you place your feet and taking your time on the steeper bits. Once lower down, the walking becomes more relaxed, and there is a nice contrast between the exposed tops and the settled landscape around Cracoe.

Passing through Cracoe gives the route a pleasing sense of journey. Rather than ending where the fellside stops, the walk carries on through another village before linking back to Rylstone. That loop back rounds things off well and helps make the Rylstone Cross hike feel complete. It is not a huge day out in terms of distance at around 10 kilometres, but it uses the ground well and gives plenty back for the effort.

Why the Rylstone Cross Hike Is Worth Doing

What I like most about the Rylstone Cross hike is its balance. You get a clear objective early on, a proper fell section across to Cracoe Fell, a memorable lunch stop at the war memorial, and a different line back through Cracoe to Rylstone. For a moderate walk, it has enough variety to keep things interesting all the way round.

It is also a good choice if you want a Yorkshire Dales route that feels accessible without being dull. The climb to the cross gives you a bit of effort, the higher ground gives you space and views, and the return through the villages adds character. If you are planning a day in this part of the Dales, the Rylstone Cross hike is an easy one to recommend.

If you are looking for more walks nearby, have a look around the Yorkshire Dales hikes section for similar routes with moorland, limestone scenery, and good village starts.