The Grey Panthers

Outdoor Leisure Map OLS26, - North York Moors (West Area)

This walk takes in the two dales of Little Fryup Dale and Danby Dale, with highlights being a visit to the Bronze Age monument on Danby Rigg and St. Hilda's Church In Danby Dale.
For the most part the navigation is fairly straightforward, though the route past the farms on the Western flank of Danby Dale needs a little bit of care.
There is a fairly steep descent into Little Fryup Dale, followed by an ascent onto Danby Rigg.
The descent from Danby Rigg to Danby Dale via the Jack Sledge Road needs considerable care. The path is a narrow track which in Summer-time is hidden in chest high bracken.
The footpath Westwards from St. Hilda's Church descends VERY steeply over rough ground. This footpath can be avoided by a nearby farm track, if required.
There are several stiles to be crossed on this walk.

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 in Ashfield Road in Castleton (the street that leads on to Wandels Lane), - NZ689 080. There is only limited parking in Castleton, so please respect the local residents.
Head along the road to Danby, and a couple of hundred yards on your right take the footpath that takes you up to the War Memorial.
Past the War Memorial, take the farm track to Howe Farm then take the footpath ahead to Longlands Lane.
Turn left in Longlands Lane, and after a few yards take the footpath to the village of Ainthorpe.
In Ainthorpe, head Southwards along the road until you come to the clearly marked bridleway that takes you South over Danby Rigg.
Continue on the clear track down into Little Fryup Dale until you come to the road.
Turn right at the road junction, and after a couple of hundred yards take the signposted bridleway on your right that ascends Danby Rigg.
Past the cairn that overlooks Danby Dale, on your right you will see a footpath on the edge of Danby Rigg (though this is marked on the map as a bridleway).
This is the Jack Sledge Road, which descends steeply into Danby Dale. In Summertime this path is covered by chest-high bracken, and is quite difficult to negotiate.
Descend to East Cliff Farm, and following the waymarks at this farm continue to the road that runs Northwards.
Head Northwards along the road.
At NZ696 058 you will find a footpath on your left that takes you to St. Hilda's Church. This footpath follows a field edge initially, then meets an ancient trod before ascending through woodland to the church.
From St. Hilda's churchyard, there is a gate in the Western corner which opens onto a footpath that heads Westwards.
However, this footpath is very steep, and is over rough ground. It is possible to avoid this "direct" path by means of a farm track, though.
When the footpath meets the minor road, turn left and continue to West Green Farm.
To the right of West Green Farm, and somewhat hidden, is the footpath to Crag House Farm, Holly Lodge Farm and Forest Farm.
At this latter farm, the farm road continues up to the main road that leads you back to Castleton.