11.1 miles.
Explorer Map OL26, - North York Moors (Western Area)
This walk is recommended for when conditions are dry underfoot.
Some of the sections of the walk use forestry tracks, and these seem
to be notorious for getting churned up by vehicles and horses in wet
weather.
Possibly the most difficult part of the walk was a fairly steep descent
into Oak Dale, where the path was extremely slippery.
However, if you have good weather and dry conditions, there are some
superb views to be had and the walk can be thoroughly recommended fromthis
aspect.
For a Memory Map overlay of the walk described, please select the above
link.
(Overlay made with Version 4 of Memory Map)
Start from near the entrance to Sandpit Lane, just outside
Thimbleby (SE44851 95218). However, there is VERY limited parking here,and
the walk could also be started from Square Corner (SE479 959) where
there are better provisions for cap parking.
Head up Sandy Lane (a farm track) and at the top turn left on the forestry
track. Aftre a short distance, the footpath is waymarked off the forestry
track taking you uphill through woodland. Follow the waymarked footpath,
- there are plenty of yellow markers, up Thimbleby Bank to Big Wood.
From Big Wood, descend down the marked footpath into Oak Dale, cross
the footbridge over the beck, then makefor the broad Cleveland Way footpath.
Follow the Cleveland Way Eastwards, past the reservoir and up the hill
to Square Corner.
Continue along the Cleveland Way, following the Hambleton Street, -
the old Drovers Road, for about 3 miles.
At SE490 919, take the footpath on your right (entered through a small
gate) that descends fairly steeply to Nab Farm.
From Nab farm take the farm track Westwards, and then follow the minor
road (Bridge Beck Lane) to Nether Silton.
Almost opposite the Church in Nether Silton, a footpath heads Northwards
between houses. Follow this footpath over fields to the Church at Over
Silton.
From here, cross the field to the village of Over Silton.
In Over Silton, take the lane Northwards that has a footpath sign on
it directing you to Thimbleby (1 3/4 miles).
As you leave the houses in Over Silton, a footpath sign on your left
directs you to the Thimbleby footpath.
Initially, this is just a footpath, but after a shortdistance it joins
the forestry track which takes you back to your starting point.