A-Walking: Chop Gate to Helmsley via Riccal Dale

Our three walks on Sunday, 3rd November, each took place in the Bilsdale area of the North York Moors. The A-Walk started at Chop Gate, the B-Walk set off from Kirkhill Plantation while the C-Walk commenced at Newgate Bank. All the walks finished in Helmsley.
 
The A-Walk was led by Jeff Hunt - pictured below. There were nine walkers in the group. The route covered a distance of 14.5 miles and took in High Ellermire Farm, Cam House, Hill End Farm, Low Cowhelm, Low Bracken Hill, Limestone Ridge, Laskill Pasture Moor, East Moor Wood, Howl Wood Farm, Riccal Dale and Reagarth Farm.

From our drop-off location at the village hall in Chop Gate, we headed south along the east side of Bilsdale - walking roughly parallel with the B1257 road which runs through the dale. When we reached the northern extremity of Roppa Wood we turned onto an easterly bearing and made our way to East Moor Wood - where we stopped for lunch.
 
Continuing on a south-easterly bearing we passed through Howl Wood Farm and then navigated a route to Hasty Bank Farm. At this point, we dropped down into Riccal Dale and followed the route of the River Riccal in a southerly direction until we reached Low Tun Way. We now had a good climb out of the dale. Maintaining our southerly bearing, we passed through Rea Garth Farm and continued until we met a westerly-going path at {SE 630 846}. Following this path, we now made our way to Reagarth Farm and our destination in Helmsley.
 
Many thanks to Jeff for leading another great walk.
 
A selection of some of the photos that were taken during today's walking expedition can be seen by clicking on the pink button below:

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

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