The Grey Panthers

Explorer Map OL26, - North York Moors, Western Area

On a fine day the views on this walk are an absolute treat.
The first part of the walk takes you from the North York Moors Centre just outside Danby, to Danby itself and then on to Commondale. Here there are some extensive views of Esk Dale.
From Commondale, the walk takes one over moorland past three of the moorland Crosses, - the White Cross, Job Cross, and Siss Cross. Although navigation is straightforward over this moorland section of the walk, it is best to tackle it with good visibility simply so that the views can be enjoyed.
There are no major gradients to contend with, though there is a modest climb up to the moors from Commondale village.

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 available 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 web site, - just use QUO!!

Start from the North York Moors Park Centre at Danby. (NZ71760 08322). Fee payable for the car park.
Take the footpath South West from the car park, that first crosses the River Esk and then the railway line, to reach the minor road (Easton Lane).
Take this minor road into Danby, and cross the bridge over the river Esk.
After crossing the bridge over the railway, turn left in front of the Methodist Chapel to take the footpath Westwards. There is a bit of road walking which needs great care, as the road is narrow.
Where a farm track meets the road, the Esk Valley Way continues Westwards on a broad track.
The track passes through Danby Park Woods, and eventually meets the road again just North of Castleton.
Here turn right and walk uphill along the road until you meet the clearly shown track to Commondale.
Follow this track all the way to Commondale village,
In the village, take the footpath uphill that is found to the right of the War Memorial.
Follow this footpath to meet the road, then head Eastwards along the road to Three Howes Rigg.
Here, cross the road that runs North-South (before crossing, stop to check out the White Cross).
Now follow the track that runs Eastwards for the next 1.5 miles (the Job Cross is set off this track on your left, about 700 yards along the track).
Now take the Siss Cross Road footpath, that runs approximately North-South past the Siss Cross, to reach the road into Danby.
Cross the road and take the track that heads South to a farm building, and then runs East-South East. Where there is then a junction of tracks, continue East-South East first along a track and then a footpath until you reach a field gate that opens onto the footpath through the woods above the North York Moors Park Centre.