10.0 miles.

Explorer Map No 300, - Howardian Hills and Malton

A very easy walk that can be undertaken at any time of year.
There are no gradients to speak of, and much of the route uses forestry tracks, farm tracks, and minor roads.
There were two fields where the footpath crossed newly planted crops, and the alternative of walking along a minor road was taken instead.
Some of the road walking uses a section of the minor Helmsley - York road, and a bit of care is needed.
However, there are some superb views on the walk, and the route can be recommended for any fine, sunny day.

For a Memory Map overlay of the walk described, please select the above link.
(Overlay made with Version 5 of Memory Map)

Some new mapping software is now availabe which you may want to try, - QUO mapping. You can download the software for free from the link below, complete with demonstration maps. Having installed QUO, you can import and export Memory Map overlays. Thus YOU DON'T NEED Memory Map to use any of the overlays provided on the Grey Panthers website, - just use QUO!!

Start from Church Lane by the church in Gilling East (SE61561 76918).
Walk North up Gilling's main street, then turn right at the cross-roads to walk along the minor road to Cawton.
Although this is a quiet road, you must be prepared for traffic using the road.
As you enter Cawton, taken the farm track on the right that heads uphill to Syke Gate Farm.
Just before Syke Gate Farm there is a footpath that takes you to Stocking Hill Farm. However, at the time we intended to use the path it was across newly planted crops and we felt that it was just as easy to continue along the farm track to Blackdale Farm.
From here, turn left along the minor road to Coulton.
Just before the cross roads there is a footpath clearly shown by a finger post. Again, however, this crossed newly planted fields and we decided to stick to the road.
Head West along the road until you come to the plantation a little further along. Here you can walk inside the plantation, parallel to the road, until you come to a farm track where the footpath to manor Wood Farm is indicated.
When you reach the road at Manor Wood Farm, turn left. At the road junction turn right and continue until you reach a track that enters the planation and leads to Viewly Hill Farm.
About 200 yards along the track, turn left along the forestry track that leads to Grimston Grange.
At the cross roads, turn right and continue to the road junction where there is a house directly ahead of you.
Here turn left and follow the road for about 100 yards until you see an entrance to a track that heads Norhwards through the plantation.
When you reach a significant forestry track, turn right.
Continue Northwards and Westwards along Forestry tracks to the big Fish Pond.
Here turn right to take the minor road back to Gilling East.