Easy hikes and walks around Arkengarthdale

The Old Gang are the ruins of a lead smelting mill, it dates back to the 18th and 19th centuries.  It is one of the best preserved up in the north, and is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument. This trail runs right through it, passing by various building ruins, mine entrances, and the peat store.

We called in here on a busy but wet bank holiday Sunday after hiking nearby Hoove Hill. Despite the horrid weather, the pub cheered us up no end. We had nice service—I mean, really nice, friendly smiles, polite, attentive, and were super quick. The food was also good, not the biggest portions I have had in a pub, but it was all very filling, quick, and well presented. All this at a decent price too. £42, for a main course meal with two drinks. It is obvious that the highest pub in Britain also has high standards, see you again soon!

Scabba Wath used to be a ford, which was then replaced by this bridge. It's known locally as Whita Bridge. The name Scabba Wath is only partly understood: while "wath" is Old Norse for "a ford", "scabba" is more mysterious and no one really knows what it is to indicate. Just off the road here, to the west, a few yards from the bridge, are the remains of the How Hill hillfort, visible in the ground, which is where there is a good place for a food stop or a longer rest next to the pleasant murmur of the River Swale's waters.

If you like peaceful river walks through the countryside, then you are going to like this one. Starting (or ending) at Feetham Wood, the path runs along the northern bank of the River Swale, with green fields and pastures to accompany while you look at the slow stream of the river. It's all flat, so will be terrific for walkers of all ages and abilities.

This is a picturesque, multi-arched stone bridge over the River Swale. It offers very pleasant views of the hamlet of Isles' cottages to the north and towards Brownsey Moor, rising directly above it. Of course, the River Swale is also peaceful and beautiful to look at.

Old Gang is an old smelting mill, dating back to the 18th or 19th century. It's one of the best preserved mills of its kind in the North and is also a Scheduled Ancient Monument. There are many remains here. The most obvious is the mill itself, with its completely intact chimney. There is also a row of stone columns on the hillside, representing all that remains of a peat house. The area is harsh, bleak and, therefore, fantastic (a bit of an insight into the way my mind works there).

Quaint pub with good food, great starting point for the rest of the Pennine Way hike. In the bunkhouse you could listen to the wind blowing strongly. Bunkhouse itself very expensive for the facilities and size (8-bed room, very narrow, one bathroom for the room as well as the neighboring room). There is also a bathroom available for the campsite. It's worth starting early in the morning to experience the moorland shrouded in fog and watch the sun's rays break through.

Whilst the Old Gang mill was one of the largest in the area, a search of the archives has failed to reveal either when it was built or closed. Nevertheless, there are some clues. Sure is, it's built before 1854 (and most probably before 1846. It had stopped serious smelting by 1885. It is found that “the last ore was smelted in 1898, but for several years prior to this date very little work had been done”. Nevertheless, the mill smelted in small way until at least October 1899, and possibly until 1903. By 1913, however, the mill had closed and the mine was selling its ore to John Walton & Co. at Castleside. Old Gang and Surrender were the largest AD smelt mills, but there were another five mills in the AD liberties. https://www.nmrs.org.uk/mines-map/smelt-mills/smelting/oldgang/