Conistone Pie ~ Medium Walk

Distance: 3 miles   Time to complete walk: 2 hours

Safety Tips: Don't attempt the walk after rainfall or icy weather. The terrain for a big part of the walk is on a broken limestone path which can be treacherous when wet or icy. Expect to do a bit of scrambling up the pathway and to reach the top of Conistone Pie. Wear walking boots and take a walking stick.

An outstanding walk to Conistone Pie an outcrop with panoramic views. It is a unique walk up a dry valley covered in limestone with some scrambling up the valley over the limestone steps. The terrain of the walk is unusual and due care and sensible good walking boots are required. The resulting panoramic views at the top of Conistone Pie are worth it!

 

The Conistone Pie walk

 

 

Getting There

 

From Middlesbrough follow the A66 to Darlington and then follow it to the A1 Scotch Corner. Keep on the A1 south bound and look for Junction 47 which is signposted to Harrogate. Follow the A59 road through Harrogate and follow it out of Harrogate until you come to a roundabout for Bolton Abbey on a right hand turn. Follow the B6160 past Bolton Abbey. Follow the B6160 and look for a right turn off for Conistone. Park on the road-side on the bridge.

 

 

 

 

Map of the Conistone Pie walk

 

 

 

The Walk

 

From the bridge, go on into the village to a junction. Where the lane bends to the left fork right up to a bench and through a gate with a signpost to Conistone Dib

 

 

 

    Go up lane to a gate

 

 

Gate with signpost to Conistone Dib

 



Go up the limestone steps. The way up is over a dry stream bed and it narrows in places so you can touch the sides.

 

 

Climb over the steps

 

Follow the way ahead up the stony path taking due care.

 

 

Follow the limestone path

 

 



Soon you will come to the narrowest part of the path. Pass through using both sides to help you through.

 

 

 

Pass through the narrow opening

 

 

The valley now widens onto a grassy but still stony path ahead.

 

 

 

Follow the path ahead

 

 

Walk up the valley over the grassy track and through a few gates. Head up again towards the trees to a stile which leads onto another narrow opening to the way ahead.

 

 

 

Trees on track

 

Go through the small gate

 

Scramble onto a flat platform and then look for a gate immediately to your right. (You are at marker 1 on the map)



 

 

Go through the gate on your right

 

 

Double back to the left towards another gate and go through it.

 

 

 

Go through gate

 

Follow the signpost direction to Conistone

 

Follow the grassy track in the direction of Conistone on the signpost passing over a path and passing under a low scar. Soon you will see Conistone Pie in the distance.



 

 

 

Follow the grassy track

 

On approaching Conistone Pie look for some steps over a stile onto the other side.

 

 

 

Go over steps on stile

 

 

Head on towards Conistone Pie. The easiest way to the top is facing the direction you came from, however take great care and climb to the top for some fantastic panoramic views of the countryside beyond. Conistone Pie provides shelter to the elements and is a great place for a picnic.

 

 

 

Conistone Pie

 

Views from the top of Conistone Pie

 

 

Double back the way you came and as you come to the path you passed over,  turn right and join the track which is called Scot Gate Lane.(see marker number 2 on the map). Follow the path down which becomes a steep descent after passing by the transmitter mast. At the bottom, turn left passing a church and make your way back to the bridge.

 

Conistone

 

Conistone is a small village (population 117 in the 2001 census) in North Yorkshire England. It lies 3 miles north of Grassington, beside the River Wharfe, in Upper Wharfedale.
The village is set in characteristic limestone scenery, including Mossdale Caverns, the dry gorge of Conistone Dib and the limestone outcrop of Conistone Pie. Above the Dib the Dales Way path connects Kettlewell, to its north, and Grassington, to its south, providing distant views over Wharfedale. From the B6160 road, the Wharfe is crossed at Conistone by a stone-arch bridge, which is within easy walking distance of Kilnsey, with its Crag.
The parish church, St Mary's Church, dates from the 11th or 12th century, and is a Grade II listed building.
Conistone was historically in the large ancient parish of Burnsall, in Staincliffe Wapentake in the West Riding of Yorkshire. It became part of the civil parish of Conistone with Kilnsey in 1866, and was transferred to North Yorkshire in 1974.

 

 





 

 



Lilla Cross ~ Medium Walk

Distance: 8 miles   Time to complete walk: 3.5 hours

Safety Tips: Take a walking stick as the forest path and the moor can be muddy after rain. Use your stick to test the firmness of the path on the moor as it can be marshy after a heavy downpour. Remember sunscreen for protection from the sun on the moor.

A vigorous walk following a stream through a forest and onto the moors. Your destination is an ancient cross called the Lilla Cross which was built to commemorate one of King Edwins counsellors who was killed as he stepped in front a poison dagger thrown in an attempt to kill the king. On finishing the walk there is an opportunity to visit Whitby or the Falling Foss tea garden. See the Falling Foss walk for details of the tea garden.

 

The Lilla Cross walk

 

Getting There

 

Follow the A171 road to Whitby and go past Whitby and look for the B146 turning which is a right turn and then when on this road take a very sharp left to be on the May Beck Farm Road- follow this road down until you reach a car park which is the starting point for the walk.

 

 

Map of the Lilla Cross walk

The Walk

From the car park walk up the approach opposite until it bends and look for a signpost to the left.

 

Look for a signpost to the left

 

Descend down the path crossing over a bridge and continue on the path which is beside the stream. (You are at marker 1 on the map)

 

 

Follow the path

 

 

Continue along the grassy track and through a kissing gate, beside the stream until it swings away from the stream and carries on into the forest.

 

 

Go through the kissing gate

 

 

 

Continue on into the forest

When you reach a forest road turn right and follow it to a junction and then continue to the track to the right.

Turn right and join the forest track

 

At the junction continue on the track to the right

 



After about 400m on the forest track look for a track to the left (you are at marker 2 on the map)

 

 

Track to the left

 

Follow the path on the moor

 

Follow the moorland path and you will soon pass the remains of York Cross. 

 

 

York Cross remains

 

Follow the path forward to a waymarked post or take a short cut to the left. Which ever way you choose you will come to a main moorland path. Join the path and continue on it to the left.

 

 

 

Follow the moorland path to the left

 





Continue on the moorland path using your walking stick to make sure the path is solid. Prepare to get muddy boots if there has been rain! Keep the fence to your right. (you are at marker 3 on the map)

 

Soon you will join a track at a T junction. To get to Lilla Cross, turn right and go through the gate.

 

 

Go through the gate to your right

 

Follow the waymarked path to the left and then look for the path to your right which you can see will lead directly to the Lilla Cross (you are at marker 4 on the map)

 

 

 

Follow the waymarked signpost

 

Take the path to Lilla Cross

 

 

Visit the cross which originates from the 7th century.

 

 

Lilla Cross

 

 

Retrace your steps and go back through the gate and follow the track back to the forest. (you are at marker 6 on the map)

 

 

Follow the track back to the forest

 

 

When you come to a junction turn right onto the track 

 

Turn right at the junction

 

 

This is the same track you started the walk on. (You are at marker 7 on the map) Look out for a signpost to the left and rejoin the path you came on which joins the stream.

 

 

 

Turn left at the signpost



 

 

Cross the bridge and turn right onto the track to return to the car park.

 

Lilla Cross

 

The site of Lilla Cross once formed the boundaries of four Medieval parishes as well as the junction of two trackways and the limits of an estate belonging to Whitby Abbey in the 11th century - it still forms part of a modern political boundary today. Long before this of course the Bronze Age inhabitants of the North Yorkshire Moors area built a round barrow here that formed part of their own territorial boundary that included Flat Howes, Pen Howes, Breckon Howe, Sil Howe, Flass Brow, Robbed Howe, Foster Howes, Ann Howe, Louven Howe, Lilla Howe, High Woof Howe and Low Woof Howe. These barrow run in a roughly northwest-southeast direction from Black Brow close to the High Bride Stones down to near the head of the valley of Stockland Beck about seven miles away in what is now the Langdale Forest. The barrow of Lilla Howe itself was constructed of earth and stone and measures about 20 metres in diameter and stands over a metre tall although it has been quite badly damaged over the years - the photograph above shows a track cutting across the southern edge, there is also one to the north. The site has fine views with Goathland Moor to the west, Sneaton High Moor to the north, Fylingdales Moor to the east and Langdale Forest to the south.
The cross takes its name from an 8th century Saxon nobleman who died saving the king's life although the style of the carving is thought to date it to the 10th century, it is interesting to note that excavations of the barrow have uncovered Anglo Saxon and Viking grave goods.
Just a few paces to the northeast of Lilla Howe at SE88929871 is another smaller barrow that is easily overlooked, it measures around 13 metres in diameter but is only about half a metre high and badly overgrown.

 

 

 

 



 

 

 



 



 



Rievaulx Abbey ~ Easy Walk

 

Distance: 2.5 miles   Time to complete walk: 1.5 hours

Safety Tips: Take a walking stick if walking after heavy rain. Be prepared for a steady climb in the middle of the walk. Take money for the car park which is £4.00 however you get half price entry to the Abbey if you keep your parking ticket stub.

A peaceful walk from Rievaulx Abbey, one of Yorkshires finest Abbeys. Throughout the walk you will be able to see the Abbey from different viewpoints. The Abbey is well worth a visit at the end of your walk and there is a coffee shop inside and also a museum. Moderate climbing in the middle of the walk, the walk is classed as easy due to its short length.

 

 

The Rievaulx Abbey walk

 

 

Getting There

 

 

From Middlesbrough, travel up Ormesby Bank and follow the A172 to Stokesley. Take the left turning on the roundabout before Stokesley, which will take you through Great Broughton which is the B125. Follow this scenic route until just before Helmsley. Look for a right turn down to the Abbey ignoring the sign to the terraces. Parking can be busy in peak periods. Parking is £4.00 for all day. Your parking fee will be refunded when you purchase a ticket to the Abbey which is £8.00 for adults. There is a coffee shop and toilets at the Abbey.

 

 

 

Map of the Rievaulx Abbey Walk

 

 

The Walk

 

 

From the car park, turn right and follow the road until you come to a gate to the left with a signpost for Bow Bridge next to it. The gate may be open, if not climb over the gate into a small paddock area with stables.

 

 

 

Gate signposted to Bow Bridge

 

Walk through the paddock ahead and over a waymarked gate into a field. 

 

 

Waymarked gate

   

Continue into another field through another waymarked gate.

 

 

Go through another waymarked gate

 

Soon you will join the River Rye. Go through the gate ahead beside the river a while and through a meadow.

 

 

 

 

Go through gate beside the river

 

Go through the gate and through the meadow

 

 

Bear right to a waymark to leave the meadow through a gate.

  

 

Gate to the right

 

 

Go through the gate and turn left onto a gravel path.

 

 

 

Turn left onto gravel track

 

Follow the track over Bow Bridge

 

 

 

Go over Bow Bridge

 

 

Keep on the gravel track and look for a signpost to Ashberry to the left.

 

 

Signpost to Ashberry to the left

 

 

Follow the direction of the signpost through a meadow over a stile and onto a field until you come to a gate to enter Ashberry Woods. (You are at marker 1 on the map)

 

 

Gate into Ashberry Woods

 

Follow the path, steadily climbing at the edge of the woods. Look for a perfect view of Rievaulx Abbey to your left through the trees.

 

 

 

Rievaulx Abbey through the woods

 

 

As you climb over the crest of the path, take the left fork of the path downwards and look for a seat to the right, handy for a pitstop and to take in the view!

 

 

Take the left fork on the path

 

 

Bench to the right to take in the view!

 

 

Descend the path until you come to Ashberry Farm. Go through the gate turn right and turn left and go over a bridge.

 

 

 

Go over the bridge  





 

Look for another turn off to the left signed to Rievaulx and follow this road back to the Abbey.(You are at marker 2 on the map). Now enjoy a visit to the Abbey. There is a museum in the grounds and brilliant facilities.



 

 

Turn left signed to Rievaulx

 

Follow the road back to the Abbey

 

 

Views of Rievaulx Abbey

 

 

 

Rievaulx Abbey

 

Rievaulx Abbey /riːˈvoʊ/ ree-VOH is a former Cistercian abbey in Rievaulx, near Helmsley in the North York Moors National Park, North Yorkshire, England. Headed by the Abbot of Rievaulx, it was one of the wealthiest abbeys in England until it was dissolved by Henry VIII of England in 1538. Its ruins are a tourist attraction, owned and maintained by English Heritage.

Rievaulx Abbey was founded in 1132 by twelve monks from Clairvaux Abbey as a mission for the colonisation of the north of England and Scotland. It was the first Cistercian abbey in the north. With time it became one of the great Cistercian abbeys of Yorkshire, second only to Fountains Abbey in fame.
Its remote location was ideal for the Cistercians, whose desire was to follow a strict life of prayer and self-sufficiency with little contact with the outside world. The patron, Walter Espec, settled another Cistercian community, founding Wardon Abbey in Bedfordshire on unprofitable wasteland on one of his inherited estates.
The abbey lies in a wooded dale by the River Rye, sheltered by hills. The monks diverted part of the river several yards to the west in order to have enough flat land to build on. They altered the river's course twice more during the 12th century. The old course is visible in the abbey's grounds. This is an illustration of the technical ingenuity of the monks, who over time built up a profitable business mining lead and iron, rearing sheep and selling wool to buyers from all over Europe. Rievaulx Abbey became one of the greatest and wealthiest in England, with 140 monks and many more lay brothers. It received grants of land totalling 6,000 acres (24 km²) and established daughter houses in England and Scotland.
By the end of the 13th century the abbey had incurred debts on its building projects and lost revenue due to an epidemic of sheep scab (psoroptic mange). The ill fortune was compounded by raiders from Scotland in the early 14th century. The great reduction in population caused by the Black Death in the mid-14th century made it difficult to recruit new lay brothers for manual labour. As a result, the abbey was forced to lease much of its land. By 1381 there were only fourteen choir monks, three lay brothers and the abbot left at Rievaulx, and some buildings were reduced in size.
By the 15th century the Cistercian practices of strict observance according to Saint Benedict's rule had been abandoned in favour of a more comfortable lifestyle. The monks were permitted to eat meat, and more private living accommodation was created for them, and the abbot had a substantial private household.