10.2 miles.
Outdoor Leisure Map No OL26 - North York Moors, Western Area
A circular walk from the little hamlet of Fangdale Beck.
Parking is very restricted here, and all consideration must be given to
the residents.
This walk makes use of farm footpaths and farm tracks, which can all be
extremely wet and muddy at times.
There are also moorland footpaths, where use of a compass and map are
essential. Some of the moorland walking is across rough heather with no
discernable footpath.
One problem that we encountered was that the footbridge over the Ladhill
Gill had been washed away by a flash flood earlier in the year. Its replacement
was a temporary plank of wood, and some agility was needed to use this.
For a Memory Map overlay of the walk described, please select the above
link.
(Overlay made with Version 4 of Memory Map)
Start from the hamlet of Fangdale Beck (SE5695094659).
Cross the Fangdale Beck by the footbridge, and take the road to Malkin
Bower Farm. Continue in a southerly direction along the waymarked footpath
past Helm House Farm.
At SE56715 92537 take the footpath up through Benhill Bank woods.
Where the track meets the minor road at SE56360 92074 immediately turn
right up the farm road, and then take the footpath on your left at SE56282
92217.
Cross the moorland to reach the track by the drystone wall, and pass through
the waymarked gate. Head down the slope to visit the remains of Bumper
Castle at SE5508792427.
From Bumper Castle take the track that heads in a South Easterly direction
to cross the Ladhill Gill at SE54575 91355.
From here take the footpath to the minor road that leads into Hawnby.
Follow the road into Hawnby, and continue along the road in the direction
of Arden Hall and Kepwick.
Opposite Mount pleasant farm take the waymarked footpath that leads to
Moor Gate crossroads (SE53957 91702).
FRom here, take the broad track that heads North until you come to the
waymarked footpath at SE54180 93027. Follow the footpath to the ford over
the Ladhill Gill.
Cross the Ladhill Gill, and with the Wetherhouse Beck on your right head
in an Easterly direction back to Malkin Bower farm and Fangdale. Use will
have to be made of your map and compass for this section of the journey.