The Grey Panthers

Explorer Map OL27, - North Yorks Moors Eastern Area

A walk which is immensely rewarding with respect to the scenery of Little Fryup Dale, Great Fryup Dale, and Esk Dale. Choose a sunny day with good visibility, and the views are some of the best in Yorkshire.
Navigation is straightforward , apart possibl;y from the section over moorland just before you get to Head House Farm. Tracks are indistinct here, and it helps to use a compass and 1:25000 map.
The route uses a combination of quiet country roads, farm tracks, and moorland paths.
There are a couple of gradients, one of which is a moderate pull up to Danby Rigg.

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 available 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 web site, - just use QUO!!

Start from the Danby North York Moors Centre car park (NZ717 083), - fee payable.
Take the signposted footpath that starts almost opposite the car park entrance, heading South Westwards over the River Esk and the railway line.
When you reach the minor road, turn left and continue until you reach the Duck Bridge.
Follow the road to Danby Castle and continue to Crossley Gate Farm.
Just past this farm take the footpath to Forester's Lodge Farm, then the track to Stonebeck Gate Farm.
Here turn right and take the road and then footpath until you reach the road that heads up Danby Rigg.
Head Southwards up this road. At a point where the road turns right a public footpath is shown. This footpath heads North Eastwards downhill, - first over moorland and then clinging to the side of the hill before crossing rough farmland to arrive at Fairly Cross Plain Farm.
Here turn left onto the road and continue until you reach the track on your right that heads North Eastwards towards Danby Crag.
When the track reaches a gate, you are on moorland and finding the correct footpath to take needs a bit of care.
Take the footpath past Head House Farm, and when you reach the road take the footpath due West that takes you to Crag Farm.
FRom here take the track to the road, and follow the road West for a short distance.
Just past the railway bridge, take the minor road up to Oakley Side, then follow the clearly marked footpath back to the car park.