A-Walking: Helmsley Highlights

Our three expeditions this week (Sunday, 25th April) each took place in the Bilsdale area of North York Moors. The A-Walk set off from Chop Gate, the B-Walk started at Low Ewe Cote and the C-Walk commenced at Oscar Park Farm.

After leaving Chop Gate {SE 559 994}, the intent of the A-Walk was to visit Stump Cross, Hanging Stone, Howl Wood and Riccal Dale before arriving at our final destination in Helmsley {SE 610 838}.

We left our drop-off point in the car park (see the picture below) at about 10.30 am. There were eleven people in the group: JB, JPB, PB, RB, KF, JH, CL, KL, AM, LM, JT. RB led the walk.


After crossing the B1257 road, we trekked in an easterly direction along the access track to William Beck Farm {SE 570 994}. Continuing in an east-south-easterly (ESE) direction we crossed Black Intake and ascended into Tripsdale {SE 582 989}. From here we had a good climb up onto Slape Wath Moor, which we crossed on an ESE bearing, in order to reach Stump Cross {SE 607 982}.

Turning right, we continued in a southerly direction across Bransdale Ridge towards the minor road at {SE 610 963}. Just before reaching the road we decided to stop for lunch. Because there was a strong cold wind blowing, we sought refuge in some nearby grouse butts at {SE 608 963} and {SE 609 963}.

After lunch, we followed the road to {SE 613 953} where we joined a footpath that took us south across Pockley Moor to reach Hanging Stone {SE 623 923} and a near-by tarn (see the picture below).


Just after Hanging Stone, we turned onto a south-easterly bearing and made our way to Throstle Nest {SE 617 907} and Lund Farm {SE 613 905}. We continued on this bearing to reach {SE 612 902} and then switched to a south-easterly bearing which we used in order to navigate to Howl Wood Farm {SE 617 893} and, subsequently, Hasty Bank Farm {SE 625 884}. From here, we made our way into Riccal Dale Wood {SE 624 883}.

Continuing on our southerly bearing we made our way through Riccal Dale until we reached the junction of two tracks (High Tun Way and Low Tun Way) {SE 622 875}. We stayed with Low Tun Way and eventually emerged from the forest on the west side of the dale at {SE 625 859}. Our path now took us along the western edge of the forest to Rea Garth Farm {SE 625 858}.

We continued along the edge of the forest until we reached a path junction at {SE 630 847}. Turning right, we made our way to Reagarth Farm {SE 627 845} and then made our way across the fields to the Youth Hostel in Helmsley {SE 616 840}. We then walked through the town in order to reach tha car park {SE 610 838} where our coach was waiting for us.


Many thanks to RB for organising such an interesting and exciting adventure for us today. We had a really great time. Use the buttons below to see where we went, how we did and some of the photos.

    

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