A-Walking: Osmotherley to Stokesley via Barker's Ridge

Our three walks on Sunday, 24th February, each took place in the Carlton-in-Cleveland area of the North York Moors. The A-walk started at Osmotherley, the B-walk set off from Swainby and the C-walk departed from Kilton House. All walks finished in Stokesley.
 
The A-walk was led by Phil Barker (pictured below). There were six walkers in the group. The distance covered was 16.5 miles.
From our drop-off point on the centre of Osmotherley, we made our way in an easterly direction, following the route of the Cleveland Way, until we reached the road at Square Corner. We continued our easterly trek in order to reach Dale Head and the minor road (Hall Lane) at {SE 510 944}. Turning left along the road, we now climbed up to Low Cote Farm and Hill End Farm. Now moving on a north-easterly bearing, we crossed Arnsgill Ridge - eventually heading north towards the track junction at {SE 535 988} near Noon Hill.
 
After negotiating the snow and ice on Barker's Ridge we stopped for lunch behind a stone wall at the east-end of Scugdale and we were rewarded by some lovely sunshine and some tremendous views.
 
From our lunch-stop location we headed north over Bilsdale West Moor in order to reach the disused glider-club buildings on Carlton Moor. We re-joined the Cleveland Way near the minor road at {NZ 523 029} and followed it to the path junction at {NZ 531 031}. From here,we headed north and made a steep descent over Busby Moor in order to reach Manor Farm, Cote House and Great Busby - where we had a short road-side tea-stop.
 
From our tea-stop location we walked along the road towards Dromonby Hall and then made our way north across muddy field-footpaths in order to reach our final destination in Stokesley - where our coach was waiting to take us home.
 
Many thanks to Phil Barker for an excellent day out on the North York Moors.
 
A selection of some of the photos that we took during today's walking expedition can be seen by clicking on the pink button below:
 

Credits:
Many thanks to Jane Thompson and Phil Barker for taking the photographs.
 

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