Introduction
Although there is no public access to (or public right of way along) any part of trackbed, it is possible to view parts of the route of the former Garsdale to Hawes branch line from public rights of way and to gain an impression of the attractive terrain through which the re-opened railway will pass. Some of the larger structures can be viewed (but not visited) from these public rights of way. Footpaths with public rights of way are readily identified on suitable maps, including Ordnance Survey “Explorer” 1:25,000 sheets OL30 and OL19.
The route suggested below starts with a bus journey from Garsdale Station to Hawes (using the Little White Bus), then uses public footpaths to return to Garsdale Station, on the famous Settle & Carlisle railway. Some of the bus services connect well with the trains, but check the timetables carefully before setting off. It is, of course, possible to follow the route in the opposite direction and to find shorter variants.
The route
The suggested route is approximately 12km in length and will be “easy to moderate” for the fell walker properly equipped for a day in the Dales. Allow 3½ hours for the walk itself, plus time for travel, rest stops and taking in the scenery.
The route starts by heading in a north-westerly direction from Hawes main street. After walking on the lane under Appersett Viaduct and before heading along the valley bottom to Mossdale, a short detour to Cotter Force is well rewarded with a view that J M W Turner sketched in July 1816 for his Yorkshire Sketchbook. A longer detour, of about 4km in each direction, along the lanes towards Widdale brings the walker to the red squirrel territory of Snaizeholme.
Beyond Thwaite Bridge, the footpaths lie to the north of the main A684 road allowing broad views across Upper Wensleydale. The Moorcock Inn offers the chance for well-earned refreshments before taking the Pennine Bridle Way up to Garsdale Station. (The wise walker allows a good 20 minutes for the section between The Moorcock Inn and Garsdale Station.)
UWR accepts no responsibility whatsoever for any loss, injury or inconvenience experienced by any person or persons arising from this route description. The public footpaths mentioned were open and passable by suitably equipped walkers at the time of writing (Autumn 2019).
Image Gallery
View back to Hawes station from the public park at Gayle Beck. 
Bridges 34 and 35 from the public footpath as it leaves Hawes. The path passes beneath the bridge at left. 
On the public footpath approaching Appersett Viaduct. 
On the lane looking back at Appersett Viaduct. 
Cotter Force in Upper Wensleydale 
Mossdale Viaduct from the public footpath at Mossdale Head. 
Bridge No 11 (just west of Mossdale Viaduct) from the public footpath. 
Well-deserved refreshment at the Moorcock Inn, with the Settle & Carlisle mainline in the background. 
Bridge no 1 of the Garsdale to Hawes branch, from the Pennine Bridleway (through one of the arches of Dandrymire Viaduct carrying the Settle & Carlisle mainline).
Travel Notes
For information about the ‘Little White Bus’, see:
http://www.littlewhitebus.co.uk
or
https://www.dalesbus.org
AJL, 5th February 2020