8.88 miles
Explorer Map OL26, - North York Moors (Western Area)
If you do this walk on a fine day, with high visibility, you
are on to a winner.
The walk starts by ascending Hawnby Hill and walking along the
top ridge, with stunning views all the way along.
The climb up the hill is steep, as is the descent.
The described footpath along the edge of, and through, Low Wood
is VERY difficult. The path is faint at the best of times, but
needs a great deal of care in negotiating in points.
The Forestry track which connecfts the Low Wood footpath to the
road was found to have been off limits when we arrived at the
road. You have been warned.
From Hazel Heads we found that it was surprisingly easy to veer
off-course when going through the woods. Make sure that you stick
to compass bearing s or your satellite navigator.
From Bilsdale Moor onwards, navigation is very straightforward
and there are no major obstacles.
For a Memory Map overlay of the walk described, please select the
above link.
(Overlay made with Version 5 of Memory
Map)
Some new mapping software is now availabe which you may want to try, - QUO mapping. You can download the software for free from the link below, complete with demonstration maps. Having installed QUO, you can import and export Memory Map overlays. Thus YOU DON'T NEED Memory Map to use any of the overlays provided on the Grey Panthers website, - just use QUO!!
Start Point : The parking area at Moor Gate, below Hawnby
Hill (SE53988 91691).
From the parking area, cross the road and follow the very obvious
footpath up Hawnby Hill. Where the footpath appears to divide, about
half way up the hill, take the right hand fork.
The climb up the hill is very steep at this point.
Walk along the top of the hill, then descend along the waymarked footpath
into Hawnby.
At the road (by the Hawnby Inn) turn right and continue to the track
on your right, in front of Manor Farm.
Where the track splits, take the left track (through a gate) to Carr
Farm and then Low Wood.
In Low Wood, continue STRAIGHT AHEAD where you meet the footpath that
comes from Hill End House Farm.
This footpath is faint to non-existent, and is followed with some
difficulty.
The path eventually emerges at a footbridge (a plank) which crosses
a small stream, and continues onto the Forestry track.
Follow the Forestry track to the road. But be warned, - when you leave
this track for the road there is a notice saying that the Forestry
track is off limts and you need a permit to use it!!!
Turn left on the road and make for Hazel Heads.
At Hazel Heads turn right along the footpath that leads into the plantation.
At first this footpath follows a broad track. But the track suddenly
stops and the temptation is to look for other forestry tracks and
follow THEM. But DON'T, - keep going straight ahead in a Northerly
direction, even though the footpath isn't obvious.
Eventually this footpath leaves the plantation at a gate that opens
onto Hawnby Moor.
Cross Hawnby Moor, following a clear and well defined footpath.
When you reach Low Thwaites Farm, taked the footpath to the left of
the farm buildings, and follow this waymarked path to the ruins of
Sike House, and onwards to meet a shooters' track.
Here turn left and follow the track, over a ford, all the way to where
the track meets a boundary wall.
Here turn right and follow the track South Westwards to eventually
cross the Ladhill Gill.
Once over the beck turn right and follow the footpath back to Moor
Gate.