We show you where to park, walk, swim & cliff jump at Loup Scar Gorge on the River Wharfe, between Burnsall village and the suspension footbridge at Hebden.
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Burnsall Parking and Loup Scar Parking
Loup Scar Free road parking – The Village Green, Burnsall BD23 6BS – B6160 opposite the Wharfe View Tearoom overlooking Burnsall village green in between the Riverbank Café and the Red Lion pub by the bridge.
Loup Scar Free road parking – B6160 Burnsall Bridge BD23 6BY on the roadside close to Wharfe House Farm Car Park entrance.
Loup Scar Free road parking B6160 Burnsall Bridge BD23 6BY
- Wharfe House Car Park, Burnsall Bridge BD23 6BY – Parking cost is £8 per car for the day – cash and contactless payments. Toilets: Ladies, Gents, Disabled and Baby-Change facilities are on-site. Entry Permitted 9am – 6pm. Gates close 7pm (request to vacate the premises at 6.45pm). From Wharfe House Car Park it is 3-minute walk to/ from Burnsall village centre and the Red Lion Pub.
Riverbank Café Car Park, Burnsall, Village Green, Burnsall, BD23 6BS – Parking with approximately 50 spaces. Cost: £1 for 1 hour, £3 for 3 hours, or £6 for 8 hours – coins or a mobile app.
Red Lion Pub, Restaurant and Hotel, Burnsall, Skipton BD23 6BU – Free Parking is available for guests. Booking Tel:01756634542
Burnsall Campsite – Masons Campsite, Ainhams House, Appletreewick, BD23 6DD – this is not a car park but, If you’re in a motorhome or camping, consider staying at Masons Campsite. It has direct access to the Dalesway footpath at the side of the River Wharfe with the gentle walk to Burnsall village -Loup Scar – Hebden suspension bridge, Grassington and beyond. The walk to Burnsall village will take approximately 25 minutes. Also, there is a bus stop at Masons Campsite, the Hebden-Ilkley Bus: 74A to Burnsall.
Masons Main Field standard pitch includes electric hook up, 2 people, 1 car, 1 unit under 5.9m in all dimensions.
Masons Main Field standard pitch includes electric hook up, 2 people, 1 car, 1 unit over 6m in any dimension.
If you’re meeting guests at Masons Campsite, visiting vehicles are charged at £10.
Children can often be seen riding down the Wharfe’s rapids from Mason’s Campsite. Also, just a 4-minute walk from Masons Campsite is the Craven Arms with its Cruck Barn, garden and Shepherds Hut accommodation.
- During the peak periods – you may also find other landowners offering their fields for parking – look out for their roadside signs for more information.
Burnsall village to Loup Scar Walk
Loup Scar is a wonderful stretch of the River Wharfe, with a grassy bank, beaches, limestone cliffs, and the gorge of Loup Scar.
This is an easy access route on the Dalesway, starting at the Red Lion pub, following the River Wharfe for 700 metres to Loup Scar.
The route is well surfaced and level and is a gentle walk. Burnsall village itself, below the bridge, is sometimes busy with scores of swimmers those enjoying picnics.
For those who have mobility issues, there are no styles, but there are two kissing gates along its length which may be awkward for some scooter users without assistance.
Kissing Gate on the Dales Way to Loup Scar
The nearest public toilets, including RADAR facility toilets,
are in the Grassington National Park car park.
Whilst walking along this section of the River Wharfe, look out for wagtails, dippers, common sandpipers and oystercatchers.
Loup Scar is a magnificent stretch of river incorporating the limestone cliffs and plunge pool of Loup Scar and the shallower, larger, grassy river pool just downstream.
Wild Swimming Loup Scar – River Wharfe
Loup Scar Burnsall – Wild Swimmers cliff-jump into the River Wharfe deep plunge pool – the very deep rectangular pool beneath the cliff. Terrifying for some! In summer there will probably be folks leaping from the path side’s natural platform.
Above is our location map of Loup Scar. |TheLoup Scar jump is identified with the blue icon.
Opposite, the other river bank’s crag is popular with climbers seeking overhang challenges.
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Loup Scar To Hebden Suspension Bridge
If you prefer not to turn around and re-trace your steps to Burnsall, you’re already on the Dales Way footpath between Ilkley and Grassington, and the next landmark further upstream is the historic Hebden Suspension Footbridge.
Here you can cross to the other bank and continue west, passing Linton Church which can be reached if you wish, via stepping stones when the River Wharfe is low enough.
Shortly after you come to the magnificent Linton Falls where there is a bridge with fine views of the waterfalls.
The final section takes you into the village of Grassington, which features as Darrowby in Channel 5’s remake of the classic TV series “All Creatures Great and Small”, where there are plenty of good pubs and tea rooms for refreshments.
Another Gentle Walk in Yorkshire
If you like gentle walks, try The Shibden Mill Inn with its Gentleman Jack connection with its walk along the Shibden Valley floor to Shibden Hall.