The Grey Panthers

Outdoor Leisure Map OL26, - North York Moors (Western Area)

This walk starts from St. Hilda's Church, Danby. From the church, the walk goes via minor roads and field footpaths to Ainthorpe village.
From Ainthorpe, field footpaths are followed to Danby Castle, and from there by road to the Moors centre at Danby.
A return to Ainthorpe is made, mostly by road, until field footpaths are followed to Danby Moor and the War Memorial outside Castleton.
The return to St. Hilda's is mostly via the Esk Valley Walk footpath.
There are no special problems on this walk, which provides an excellent ramble in the countryside, - albeit there are some stiles and a couple of steep hills on the way.

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 St. Hilda's Church, Danby (NZ695 062). There is a parking area for cars outside the church.
If you do drive to the church, it is recommended that you approach via Longlands Lane, rather than Wandels Lane. The latter is a single track road with no passing places.
From the church, head to Rowantree Farm via Tofts Lane and a field footpath. From Rowantree Farm, continue along the farm road, and then road, to Ainthorpe village.
Just past the Fox and Hounds pub, there is a lane on your right which takes you via a field footpath to Castle Houses Farm and Danby Castle.
Head downhill to where the Duck Bridge crosses the River Esk.
Cross the River Esk and follow the road to the Moors Centre.
From here take the footpath to cross the railway line, and onwards to Easton Lane (minor road).
Back in Ainthorpe follow the road South Westwards until at NZ702 077 there is a field footpath which takes you to Longlands Lane. Past Danby Vicarage there is a field footpath which takes you to Howe Farm and Danby Low Moor.
Take the footpath round Danby Low Moor, passing the War Memorial.
The footpath descends to Wandels Lane in Castleton.
Head South along Wandels Lane for a short distance, to take the footpath on your right.
This footpath connects with the Esk Valley Walk footpath. Follow this South until you come to a minor road.
Here turn left and walk up the hill (fairly steep) to find the footpath back to St. Hilda's Church on your right.