8.0 miles

Outdoor Leisure Map OL26 - North York Moors (Western Area)

When conditions are dry this walk is fairly straightforward, with only a few gradients to cause any problem.
However, the route that was walked, on this occasion, was after a period of heavy rainfall. The wet conditions resulted in sections of the walk being extremely muddy and slippery, and this made the going very difficult.
Navigation is helped by the numerous waymarkers and finger posts, as this is a popular walking area, - especially in early April.
There are several ladder stiles and wall stiles to cross.
When conditions are dry, and the sun is shining, this is a delightful walk. But when conditions are wet underfoot, the walk became somewhat taxing.

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!!

Park at Church Houses (SE66987 97542). There is limited roadside parking here, so due courtesy to local residents must be observed.
Walk from the Community Centre Eastwards along the road to St. Mary's Church.~From the churchyard there is a footpath Southwards back to the road,
Continue along the road until you come to Oak Cragg Farm (on your left).
Opposite the farm is a footpath which takes you Southwards over pastureland initially, and then beside a field wall, to a point above Cragg Cottage.
From here continue Southwards until you come to a steep wooded gully that takes you down to Duck House Farm.
Here turn right, initially, then take the footpath (entered through a gate) to the left of the Farm Buildings.
The footpath leads you to the road by Rawson Syke Farm.
Cross the road and take the track that takes you past Ewecote Farm all the way to Dale End Bridge. This track is used by wheeled vehicles and in wet conditions was found to be exceptionally muddy and slippery.
At Dale End Bridge, cross the River Dove and walk Southwards to view the wild daffodils.
From Dale End Bridge, now take the footpath and track Northwestwards to Park Farm.
Continue Northwards along the track to Cross Farm, then head towards the roadway by Cross Farm.
Walk along the road to Low Mill.
At Low Mill take the well signposted walk beside the River Dove back to Church Houses.