Bilsdale ~ Medium Walk

 

 

Distance: 4 miles   Time to complete walk: 2 hours

Safety Tips:  Part of the walk is on the exposed moor and farm tracks. Wear sun protection if sunny and wrap up if the weather is cold. There is a short climb into the trees and a more steady climb up to Wethercote Farm. Take a walking stick if there has been recent rainfall. Ideally complete the walk after dry weather as the track can get muddy.

A peaceful walk through Bilsdale, from Fangdale Beck, a small village. Most of the walking is through fields following waymarked gates which helps you to get your bearings on the walk. There are fine views of the surrounding countryside all round and the Bilsdale transmitter. There are pubs in Chop Gate, the nearest village if wanting refreshments or food after the walk.

 

 The Bilsdale Walk

 

  

 

Getting There

 

From Middlesbrough, go up Ormesby Bank and follow the A172 to Stokesley. Take the B1257 into Great Broughton and follow it past Chop Gate. Look for a right turning into Fangdale Beck which is where the walk starts. Park near the small wooden bridge.

 

 

 

Map of the Bilsdale Walk

 

 

The Walk 

 

From your parked car, cross the small bridge and head towards the converted church.

 

 

 

Converted church

 

 

Turn right from the church and follow a lane to Malkin Bower farm.

 

 

 

Follow the lane

 

Look for a gate as you pass through the farm and go through the gate onto a walled track.

 

 



Go through gate at the farm

 

Follow the lane through several gates until you come to the end of the lane. You will notice a gate where the lane ends with the waymark directing you to the right. Enter the field and follow the field to the right and then left to a gate in its top right corner.

 

 

 

Follow the waymarked gate to the right of the field

 

 

 

Go through gate in the top corner of the field

 

 

Follow the path past Helm House Farm and through several fields following the direction of the waymarked gates. There are good views of the moor to your left. (You are at marker 1 on the map)

 

 

 

View of the moors

 

Follow the track past Helm House Farm



 

You will come to a fork in the track. Head through the gate on the right following the direction of the waymark.

 

 

Go through the gate on the right

 

Follow the direction of the waymarks until you come to a gate which has the forest ahead. Head in a diagonal direction until you come to a gate in the top right of the field which takes you onto a forest track.

 

 

 

Head diagonally through the field

 

 

 

Gate leading to the forest track

 

 

Climb into the pine woods until you come onto the open fields above.

 

 

Follow the track through the woods

 

Continue on the track

 

Follow the track and you will soon come to a road. Turn right and follow the road into Wethercote Farm. The road is a steady climb. (You are at marker 2 on the map)

 

 

 

Follow the road towards Wethercote Farm

 

When you come to the first of the farm buildings on your right immediately double back through a gate on the left.

 

 

At the farm, double back to go through the gate to your left

 

Go through the gate on your left

 

 

Follow the wall round to the right. At the end of the second field, go through a gate on your right and then through a gate to your left.

 

 

In the second field go through the gate on your right

(You are at marker 3 on the map)

 

Head through the gate on your left

 

 

Continue on through more fields and then onto the open moor. Look for a view of the Bilsdale Transmitter to your left.

 

 

 

Go through gate onto the open moor

 

View of the Bilsdale Transmitter

   

On the moor, keeping the forest close to you on your right hand side, follow the track until you come to the second gate to the right out of the moor. The second gate is shortly after the first gate.

 

 

 

Follow the moorland track

 

Go through the second gate on your right

 

The field which is full of rabbit warrens, is steep and following the safest path you can find, head towards the bottom left of the field onto a track.

 

 

Head down the field

 

Head towards the bottom left hand side of the field

 

Join the track

 

Follow the track which falls steeply back to the first farm you passed and turn left back on the road into Fangdale Beck.

 

 

Follow the track down to the farm

 

Turn left onto the road and follow it back to Fangdale Beck

 

Bilsdale

 

Bilsdale is a dale in the western part of the North York Moors in North Yorkshire, England. The head of the dale is at Hasty Bank, and the dale extends 10 miles (16 km) south to meet Rye Dale near Hawnby. The dale is the valley of the River Seph, formed where Raisdale Beck joins Bilsdale Beck at the hamlet of Chop Gate in the north of the dale. The river flows south to meet the River Rye at Seph Mouth.
The dale is divided between two civil parishes and districts. The upper part of the dale comprises the civil parish of Bilsdale Midcable in the district of Hambleton. The lower part of the dale is in the civil parish of Hawnby in the district of Ryedale.
The place-name is derived from an Old Norse personal name Bildr, and so means "Bildr's valley".
In the 12th century the northern part of the dale was granted to Kirkham Priory, and the southern part to Rievaulx Abbey. Bilsdale Rievaulx was itself divided by the River Seph. The part to the west of the river became the township of Bilsdale Westside in the parish of Hawnby. The part to the east became part of the township of Bilsdale Midcable, which also included Bilsdale Kirkham, in the parish of Helmsley. An area above Laskill became a separate township of Helmsley parish, known as Laskill Pasture. At the Dissolution both Bilsdale Kirkham and Bilsdale Rievaulx were granted to Thomas Manners, Earl of Rutland. His successors sold the estate in 1687 to the Duncombe family.
In the 19th century jet was extensively mined in the dale.
The townships of Bilsdale Westside, Bilsdale Midcable and Laskill Pasture became separate civil parishes in 1866. Bilsdale Westside and Laskill Pasture became part of the new Ryedale District in 1974, and were subsequently absorbed into the civil parish of Hawnby.
In 1971 Bilsdale transmitting station was erected above the dale on Bilsdale West Moor.


 



 

 

 

 



 

 





 

 

 



 

 





 



 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 



 





 

 

 



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.