6.5 miles
Explorer Map OL27 - North York Moors (Eastern Area)
The walk starts from Skinningrove and heads for Lotus.
From Loftus the route continues through the Rosecroft Woods.
On leaving the Rosecroft Woods a farm footpath is followed to Blue House
Farm, and from there to Loftus Woods.
The footpath to the farm was somewhat overgrown and wet underfoot.
From the farm, the footpath first crossed a field and "disappeared
behind a hedge". This section of the footpath was difficult to
find and to follow.
The footpath in the lower section of Loftus woods was very muddy and
slippery in parts, but once it joined the path in the upper section
of the woods it was easy going.
From Loftus, the road was followed back to Skinningrove.
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 car park by the Mining Museum (NZ712 193). If, for any
reason, it isn't possible to park here, there is an alternative car park
down by the sea front(NZ713 201).
From the car park by the Mining Museum, take the steps that lead to the
Museum entrance initially. However, these steps then continue up to a
surfaced footpath. Turn right on the footpath and continue uphill to Loftus.
In Loftus, turn left along the main street and continue until you come
to a cross-roads with traffic lights.
Cross over the road at this point, and continue down Station Road for
a short distance.
Turn left and now walk down Rosecroft Lane. Continue up the lane until
you cross over a railway bridge.
Just past this bridge is a stile on your right that leads to a footpath
through Rosecroft Wood.
Head Southwards along the footpath (initially not all that well defined)
until you leave Rosecroft Wood at Rosecroft Lane.
On leaving Rosecroft Wood, cross the road and take the farm footpath to
Blue House Farm.
On entering the farm, turn left and follow the track to the edge of the
woodland.
To continue, there is a footpath that is accessed by a gap in the hedge.
Follow the footpath to Loftus Woods.
On entering the woods, continue Northwards along the footpath, - initially
rather muddy and uneven but becoming clear and well defined in the upper
section of the woods.
Leave the woods at Loftus Mill. Here turn right and almost immediately
take the footpath on your left to being you to Loftus High Street.
Just past the parish church (on your right) is North Road. This eventually
leads to Hummersea Lane.
Continue up Hummersea Lane until you come to the road on your left which
takes you down to Skinningrove.
In Skinningrove, head along towards the Pier and Cattersty Sands.
To return to the car park by the mining Museum, there is a footpath on
the east side of the Kilton Beck which returns you to your starting point.