10.3 miles.
Explorer Map OL26, - North York Moors (Western Area)
A year round walk, suitable for all weathers and seasons.
However, the walk would be best value on a sunny day in Autumn (for
the Autumn colours), or a sunny day in Spring (for the Bluebells). The
houses in Pockley village would also be best viewed on a sunny day.
The footpaths are all well defined, - using mostly forestry tracks and
minor roads, with some field footpaths.
There are no stiles to cross.
The only difficulty on the walk was the steep descent down into Riccal
Dale. Care is needed on this path, for not only is it steep, but it
can also be slippery in wet conditions.
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 public car park in Helmsley (fee to be
paid), - SE611 837.
Head from the car park to the lane running beside Helmsley Parish Church,
heading for the Cemetery.
At the Cemetery, turn right and a few yards along the road take the
signposted public footpath. Follow the waymarked footpath (Tabular Hills
Link) Northwards to Ash Dale.
In Ash dale, walk Northwards along the forestry track all the way to
Keld Lane (finger post shows this lane).
Head Eastwards along Keld Lane (a farm track) to the minor road, then
turn South to Carlton village where the Church, - now decommissioned,
is worth a look.
Head Northwards along the minor road until at SE612 875 a fasrm track
is found on your right.
Follow this farm track almost due Eastwards, keeping to the edge of
Carlton Park Wood.
At SE623 880 a finger post directs you off this farm track onto the
footpath that descends into Riccal Dale.
This footpath is narrow and steep, and needs some care.
Where the footpath emerges to meet a forestry track, cross the forestry
track until you meet the footpath through Riccal Dale at SE624 881(a
gate is on your left at this point, - don't go through it).
Turn right and follow the footpath past the Scout Camp until you meet
the Forestry track at SE624 876.
Head Southwards along the Forestry track, until at SE626 859 a track
takes you down to a footbridge over the River Riccal. (The turning onto
this track IS waymarked, but is fairly easily missed if you don't look
out for it).
Cross the footbridge and take the footpath (uphill at first) to Pockley.
Turn left at the minor road and walk Northwards to Pockley Parish Church.
From here, return Southwards, until you come to Intake Lane, - a farm
track.
Follow Intake Lane and the footpath to the edge of the wood in Riccal
Dale, continuing downhill to cross the Riccal River by the footbridge
(the river may be dry at this point).
Continue Westwards on the footpath. It is quite easy at this point,
if you are not careful, to overlook the turning to the Westwards footpath
and find yourself heading South to the A170.
Continue Westwards past Reagarth Farm to take the waymarked footpath
back to Helmsley.