9.1 miles.

Expolorer Map OL26, - North York Moors, Western Area

A delightful moorland walk, in one of the lesser known Dales of the North York Moors.
There are no especial problems with this walk, though parts of the footpath are in poor condition and quite steep.
However, as with all moorland walking, care must be taken with both navigation and correct clothing. Even on a fine day the footpath can be fairly indistinct, and it is neccessary to be able to use a compass and / or Satellite Navigation equipment.

For a Memory Map overlay of the walk described, please select the above link.
(Overlay made with Version 4 of Memory Map)

Start the centre of Westerdale village (we parked beside the pavement opposite the Church), - NZ665058.
Take the lane just North of the Church, on the left, that leads you past Hall Farm.
At NZ655051, the metalled lane meets an unsurfaced farm lane, with footpath signs indicating the Esk Valley Walkway. Turn left in the direction of "Esklets".
Just before New House Farm, take the second footpath on your left heading to Wood End.
Pass Wood End on your left, and cross over the first metalled road just past Wood End. Soon after, there is another metalled road that dips down to a ford. Cross the ford, and take the footpath that is clearly signposted to Esklets (NZ651036).
Follow this footpath, - fairly difficult in places, for just over a mile (with the infant River Esk initially on your right, but eventually crossing over on a footbridge to have the river on your left).
At the point where the footpath becomes a broad track and turns uphill in a South Westerly direction, take the rather indistinct footpath East South East (NZ656016).
You now need to use your map to follow field patterns, and your compass to keep the correct bearing, in following this footpath East to Flat Howe and the Margery Bradley Stone (NZ675012).
At the Margery Bradley Stone, follow the road North until you come to the Young Ralph Cross (NZ677021). Here, you can follow a faint track to the Old Ralph Cross (NZ674019).
Return to the Young Ralh Cross, then head back South along the road to its junction with the minor road to Rosedale. Head East along this road until you come to Fat Betty (NZ682020).
At Fat Betty, head North along the footpath to the road along Castleton Rigg. Continue along this road, until the footpath to Westerdale at NZ682040 is encountered on your left. Follow this footpath to Dale Head Farm, Broad Gate Farm, and then Westerdale village,