10.5 miles.
Outdoor Leisure Maps No OL299 & 300
This walk makes good use of footpaths crossing agricultural
land. There are no gradients to talk of, and the route is a highly enjoyable
ramble through some very pleasant rural scenery.
Some of the paths could possibly be very muddy in wet weather, but that
is about the only difficulty.
The walk starts from thedelightful village of Crayke, and heads North
over fields towards the village of Oulston. On the outskirts of this
village, the Foss Walk is partly used to reach the small village of
Yearsley.
The route returns to Crayke making further us eof the Foss Walk.
For a Memory Map overlay of the walk described, please select the above
link.
(Overlay made with Version 4 of Memory Map)
Park in the street in Crayke that runs between the Church
and the Durham Ox pub (SE560 705).
Take the footpath found in the North East corner of St. Cuthbert's churchyard.
This leads to an open field, where the footpath heads for a gate in
the top North West corner.
Basically follow footpath markers to head North to Close House Farm,
watching out for any footpath diversions that may have been put in place.
From Close House Farm take the footpath North until you come to the
minor road, cross the road and continue Northwards on the footpath towards
Oulston.
To the East of Oulston join the Foss Walk to Whincover Farm, then along
the road (CARE : traffic) though the Black Fir Plantation.
At Pond Head Farm, leave the Foss Walk to take the signposted footpath
to Yearsley.
From Yeasley, follow the road West for a short distance, until you come
to the signposted footpath to Oulston Reservoir.
Follow the track round the South edge of the reservoir, then rejoin
the Foss Walk at the Western end of the reservoir to take you back into
Crayke.