10.5 miles

Explorer Map OL26, - North York Moors (Western Area)

A country walk just a few miles from the centre of Teesside.
Parts of the walk are very easy to follow, being well used by dog walkers from Hutton Rudby and Crathorne.
However, the footpath across farmland between Crathorne and Middleton-on-Leven can be difficult, - principally because there are several stiles which have not been maintained. It would appear that this section of the walk is not used very much, as some of the stiles were covered by heavy vegetation.
At Low Foxton Farm it was necessary to climb over a gate in order to continue.
Apart from these difficulties, the scenery is very enjoyable, - the more so as it is all within a short distance of urban Cleveland.

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 a small parking area opposite Hutton Rudby's parish church (NZ47134 06664). If this parking area is in use due to a church service, you may find it convenient to park in the village itself.
Take the lane that heads West from here, beside the River Leven, until you come to a sewage works. At the gates of the sewage works, the footpath can be found on the left and continues beside the River Leven.
Follow the footpath up a hill through Blue Bank Wood to Blue Bank Lane.
When you reach the lane, turn left and follow a rough track Westwards to Corn Mill Farm. Continue on the track to cross the River Leven and onwards to Crathorne itself where the church is well worth visiting.
Return to the bridge over the River Leven, then take the minor road that leads to Foxton.
Where the road enters woodland there is a footpath that takes you through the woodland to Park House.
Turn left when you reach Park House to cross their garden and re-enter woodland.
Leave the woodland and head for Hunter Banks Farm. There is a farm track just South of this farm. At the top of this track the footpath East to Low Foxton Farm is waymarked.
As mentioned above, the stiles found at the field boundaries on this footpath are not maintained and may be difficult in use.
At Low Foxton Farm take the farm track North to the minor road (this involves climbing the farm gate).
Follow the minor road East until you come to the footpath to Middleton-on-Leven. (Using the road needs great care as there are two sharp bends that are almost blind bends).
From Middleton-on-Leven, head East to the minor road. Follow this road South until you come to Middleton Grange Farm. Opposite the farm is the farm road to Indian Farm. Follow the waymarks to Windy Hill Farm and onwards to Holme Lane.
Follow Holme Lane to the junction with the Hutton Rudby - Stokesley road. Here turn left and continue until you come to the gated entrance of a house at Skutterselfe Park. Follow the footpath (initially to the left of the gates) Southwards over farmland until you come to the footbridge over the River Leven. (It is advisable to use the 1:25000 OS map to check field boundaries.)
Over the River Leven, take the track up to Sexhow Hall Farm where you meet the road into Hutton Rudby.
Follow this road towards Hutton Rudby (some care needed).
To continue to your starting point, leave the road and take the track beside the River Leven.