10.4 miles.
Explorer Map No 302, - Northallerton and Thirsk
The first section of this walk follows the Ripon Rowel
Walk, and is very easy to follow making use of well defined footpaths
and farm tracks.
After leaving the Ripon Rowel Walk, though, there are several sections
where the footpath is not at all well marked and the Ordnance Survey
Map needs consulting with regard to field patterns etc.
Dawson's Lane was found to be very wet and muddy underfoot, and did
not seem to be a well used path.
Apart from these minor problems, however, this a very pleasant ramble
through agricultural scenery, and takes in two interesting villages,
- Healey and Fearby.
The final section of the walk is mostly beside the River Ure as it flows
South towards Masham.
For a Memory Map overlay of the walk described, please select the above
link.
(Overlay made with Version 4 of Memory Map)
The start of the walk is from the centre of Masham, SE 22487 80723. There
is a car park in the town centre, with an honesty box for payment.
Head West out of Masham on the waymarked Ripon Rowel Walk. The footpath
takes you across fields to Micklebury Lane (a minor road), where you turn
left and follow the road for a short while until you come to Low Moor
Lane (a farm track).
At the end of Low Moor Lane, turn left and head down the hill on the minor
road.
BEFORE you reach the bridge over the River Burn, and BEFORE the entrance
to the saw mill, a footpath is waymarked on your right. THis path heads
North West, uphill, across fields. The first section of the path is easy
to miss, and you need to watch out for the way mark sign.
Once in the village of Healey, turn left through the village.
As you leave the village, there is a metal gate on your right (no footpath
sign). Pass through this gate to follow the footpath across fields to
Low Healey Cote Farm.
When you reach the Farm, the footpath appears to have been slightly diverted.
You have to turn left and follow the fence until you come to a gate. After
passing through this gate, you cross a small field to meet the way marked
footpath.
Head almost due East along the farm footpath from Low Healey Cote Farm.
At SE183 814, the footpath up Howe Hill to Howe Farm is entered by climbing
a metal gate. The footpath is NOT marked, and a bit of map reading using
field patterns is required at this point.
From Howe Farm, follow the (now) way marked footpath to the village of
Fearby.
Head East North East along the road through Fearby until you come to a
cross roads.
Ahead of you at the cross roads is Dawson's Lane, - a rather overgrown
and muddy lane.
At the end of the lane there is a stile on your right (not marked, and
not too obvious). Cross this stile, and follow the footpath to Low Spelder
Banks Farm. Continue along the farm track to Mile House Farm.
Turn right at the main A6108 Leyburn - Masham Road, and after a short
distance take the very obvious lane on your left. THis takes you past
the gravel pit and on to High Mains Farm.
From High Mains Farm, take the footpath down to the River Ure, then back
beside the Ure to Masham.