8.54 miles.
Explorer Map No OL26- North York Moors Western Area
Although this is a Four Seasons walk, the ideal time to
do the walk is probably in the Spring or Early Summer. The walk takes
one through woodlands, where at that time of year there would be masses
of colour from the new growth.
The walk is fairly straightforward, with a couple of gradients which
aren't at all taxing.
One descent is fairly steep, and can be slippery in wet conditions.
Some of the forestry tracks can be a bit muddy.
For a Memory Map overlay of the walk described, please select the above
link.
(Overlay made with Version 4 of Memory Map)
Start from Helmsley Centre. Several choices for parking,
but the main car park at SE6104183811 was used.
Head up past the Church towards the cemetery. To the right of the cemetery
is a lane marked "Link to Carlton". Follow the waymarked footpath
here all the way up Ash Dale.
At the top of the Dale, SE6030087071, the track up the dale meets the
Keld Lane track. Make a sharp right turn here.
Where the Keld Lane meets the minor road, SE6099186806, turn right into
Carlton (optional).
From Carlton, return along the minro road in a Northerly direction until
another footpath sign is found by a lane on the right at SE6220887874.
Follow the footpath East, then slightly North-East, until at SE6235088082
a footpath sign points to a track downhill. THis track is not obvious,
and it is possible to miss both sign and track unless you are careful.
Follow the footpath down to Riccal Dale to the point (near the River
Riccal) where a gate on the left is waymarked with a footpath sign.
At this point turn RIGHT and follow the footpath and then forestry track
South.
At SE626852 you emerge from the woods onto Monk Gardens Lane. Follow
the lane South to Reagarth Farm, and then from here take the footpath
back into Helmsley.