The Grey Panthers

Explorer Map OL26, - North York Moors Western Area

The main attraction of this walk is taking in the wide open spaces of Helmsley Moor and Pockley Moor. The walk is especially enjoyable in late Summer when the heather is in full bloom, as the moorland is carpeted in purple heather for a far as the eye can see. If the sun is out, and the visibility is clear, then the views are exceptional.
There is a long gentle ascent at the start of the walk, and another long gentle ascent about half-way along. But no gradients are unduly taxing.
Most of the walk is over forestry tracks and moorland paths, but there is a section which uses the very quiet minor road over Pockley Moor.
In Summer-time a watch needs to kept out for adders, which make their home on the moorland.

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 little settlement of Eastmoors. Park at the side of the road opposite the telephone box and post box (SE60922 90348). Park well in, as timber lorries and farm vehicles use this minor road.
Head South down the road for a hundred yards or so, then take the forestry track that heads Northwestwards. Continue along this track (ignoring another track on the left) until you come to a crossing of tracks at Collis Ridge after about 1.25 miles. Here turn left to take the track that takes you out of the plantation.
At the exit of the plantation (where there is a gate) turn right and follow the moorland track North Eastwards to find a stile at the boundary wall.
Cross the stile and take the footpath over the Bogmire Gill and onwards to Piethorn Farm.
From the farm, follow the track to the minor road that crosses Pockley Moor.
Head Northwards along this road.
Where a shooters' track leaves the road on your left, you may want to take a short diversion to view the remains of an ancient aqueduct in Bonfield Gill. To view these remains head Eastwards over steep and rough moorland, and the remains can be seen on the opposite side of the valley, - directly opposite some grouse butts.
Follow the shooters' track until a footpath crosses the track.
Here turn right to cross the Bonfield Gill by a footbridge. Beside the footbridge is an Archimedes Screw used to provide power to the nearby farm. An information board provides the details of this system.
Take the footpath past the farm, then follow the farm track to the minor road.
Head North Eastwards up the road until you come to the point where the footpath across Pockley Moor meets the road. This is easy to see, as there is a gate which bars access to vehicles across the path.
You may want to head Northwards at this point for a few hundred yards in order to view the Locking Stone, - an ancient boundary marker.
Follow the moorland footpath, - an ancient sunken road, Southwards for 2 miles until you come to the Hanging Stone. This is a group of three stones on your right.
Here take the lesser footpath on your right to Birk Nab Farm.
From Birk Nab Farm take the track over the Bonfield Gill, and then the waymarked footpath to Lund Farm.
Continue on the waymarked footpath to Eastmoors.