Walking through the meadows in Spring time Elbolton Hill in distance

Elbolton Hill

This grassy hill is the place of legends. Literally, as Elbolton Hill is supposed to be FULL of fairies.

Whilst we can’t promise fairies, this little walk IS full of excitement!

Where is Elbolton Hill?

Well, it’s a lush grassy mound found a stone’s throw from Burnsall and Linton.

It’s a funny old lump, which was formed from one of the ancient reefs that would have been found under the shallow warm sea that once covered the Yorkshire Dales (many, many moons ago!)

This walk is a funny old walk too! There is no specific path on a map that will take you up Elbolton Hill, but the area is open access land, and there is a track that spirals around the hill and then takes you up to the summit cairn.

Despite this walk exercising the right to roam, please do be respectful of the land, and any signage or boundaries put in place by the landowners. The walk we did, did not involve any climbing over walls or fences!

This walk can also be done as a tag on to our walk from Burnsall, so check out our Burnsall walk too!

What are the Walk details for Elbolton Hill?

Distance: 3-4 miles

Terrain: Grassy footpaths. Ascent to the top of Elbolton Hill is around 100m.

Parking: Lay by parking at Far Langerton (which I think consists of 1 house!!)

Public Transport? This walk is not easily accessible by public transport.

Dog Friendly: Yes, be aware there are grazing livestock on this walk.

Location: Just outside of Linton and Burnsall, in Thorpe

Map: Yorkshire Dales Southern and Western Areas - OL02

What 3 Words: approx. stand.committee.revived (car parking)

Toilets/ Baby Change: No

Nearest Cafe/ Amenities: Burnsall/ Linton

The path around the base of Elbolton Hill

Directions to Elbolton Hill

  1. Beginning at the layby parking, turn right and walk a short distance up the road, until you see a signposted stile on your left. It is roughly opposite the house.

  2. Take the grassy path, which heads through several fields, heading in the direction of Elbolton Hill, which you will see directly ahead of you.

  3. As you reach the bottom of the mound, the main path heads right round the base of the hill, towards Thorpe. The track which takes you up to the summit, winds round the edge of the hill to the left, climbing steeply upwards.

  4. Take this path, it heads through a wall, then curves round to the right and up to the summit cairn. The views from here are absolutely breath-taking! You can also see Elbolton Cave, which although is not accessible to anybody other than cavers (as it is down a 20 foot pothole, and if you go down, you ain’t getting back out!) it was excavated years ago and the remains of prehistoric bones and pottery were found there. Whilst the entrance to the cave is fenced off, with access only to cavers, do be wary that there is an extensive cave system underneath your feet, with lots of dips and pockmarks on the surface to prove it. Watch your footing and steer clear in bad weather, this one is best done on a sunny spring day, when the meadows are flowering!

  5. Once you have enjoyed the view, head back the way you came!

Last walked June 2021

⭐ We hope you enjoy our walks, but please exercise common sense as routes can change with the weather conditions and seasons! The routes have been walked by our own two feet, but you know your own limits. Always take a back-up map, don’t rely on GPS alone, wear appropriate clothing for the weather and take adequate snacks and refreshments with you (although as a parent, I know you already know that bit!)

⭐ Leave no trace! Take nothing away and leave nothing behind, take all rubbish home with you.

Walking through the summer meadows near Elbolton Hill

What’s cool for kids on this walk?

🖤 When Elbolton cave was excavated over 130 years ago, they found evidence of prehistoric bones and pottery. The remains of four humans were found buried there. These are now on display in Craven Museum, Skipton

🧝‍♀️ Such an oddly shaped mound, it sticks out like a proverbial grassy sore thumb from the landscape that surrounds it. The formation of this hill was thanks to an ancient reef, which was underneath a mild shallow sea, but because of its odd shape, it has been the stuff of legends! Local folklore will tell you that Elbolton Hill is actually home to some pretty pesky fairies, who’s desire it is to lure walkers off the path with their corpsie lights (the name conjures up the correct image, the lights are allegedly the harbingers of certain doom!)

🌳 This is a walk that is perfect for late spring and early summer, when the meadows are in full bloom! To beat the walking whinges why not try one of our walking games? Or you can download a free scavenger sheet!

Force Gill on the side of Whernside Yorkshire Dales

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Find all of our Yorkshire Dales walks HERE!

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