10.0 miles.
Expolorer Map OL26, - North York Moors (West)
Although this walk is delightful at any time of the year,
early April is the best time to do the walk for this is when the wild
daffodils of Farndale are at their peak.
The BBC has a webcam which shows whether the daffodils are out, and what
state they are at. See http://www.bbc.co.uk/northyorkshire/content/webcams/farndale_webcam.shtml
You can thus plan your visit to make sure that you see them.
We have found that Lower Farndale (from Gillamoor to Low Mill) is easily
the most attractive part of the Dale. It is very uncrowded, as there is
only limited car parking. However, the walking and the scenery we find
to be far more attractive than in Upper Farndale.
From Low Mill to Church Houses, - Upper Farndale, can get VERY busy, -
especially in fine weather and at weekends. The walk beside the River
Dove in Upper Farndale is extremely gentle, over well made paths. It does
not have the wildness and interest of the footpaths found in Lower Farndale.
For a Memory Map overlay of the walk described, please select the above
link.
(Overlay made with Version 4 of Memory Map)
Start from small parking area in the lane at SE685 910.
Walk North up the lane umtil you shortly come to a small ford. Take the
left hand path which takes you to the Lowna Friends' Burial Ground. Continue
Northwards along the sifnposted footpath until you come to a small forestry
plantation. At this point, turn right and descend to the River Dove. (Birch
Hagg House Bridge). Do not cross the river yet.
Continue North along the signposted footpath, until you come to the footbridge
at Dale End. Cross the bridge and follow the waymarked track all the way
Northwards to the minor road at Rawson Sike Farm.
Here turn left and follow the minor road (which CAN get fairly busy in
the daffodil season) to Low Mill.
From the Car Park at Low Mill, take the VERY clearly signposted footpath
beside the River Dove to Church Houses.
At Church Houses, turn right and walk along the main road to St. Mary's
Church.
From the Church, walk up the hill to to Mackeridge House. Just past here
is a very clearly signposted footpath to Bragg Farm and Bitchagreen Farm.
From Bitchagreen Farm continue Southwards along clearly marked paths to
High Wold House and Low Mill.
At Low Mill, turn right and follow the minor road (Mill Lane) initially
South West, then South Easterly, to Olive House Farm (CARE, - the road
CAN get fairly busy in the daffodil season) .
At Olive House Farm take the waymarked footpaths to Cross Farm and Park
Farm.
From Park Farm take the footpath back to Dale End Bridge.
Return to the car parking area as you came initially, OR take the footpath
beside the River Dove that runs from Birch Hagg House Bridge.
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