Walks in Boltby
From easy city strolls to challenging trails, discover the best of Boltby on foot.
Walk: Gormire Lake and Garbutt Wood
A great walk with a stunning view from the top of Sutton Bank, near Thirsk, walking part way along the epic Cleveland Way. The Route What3Words for Start point: ///bonus.tree.incorrect Start Point: Sutton Bank National Park Centre, Sutton Bank, Thirsk, YO7 2EH Finish Point: Sutton Bank National Park Centre, Sutton Bank, Thirsk, YO7 2EH Distance: 4 Miles GPX Route Map walkshiregormirelakeandgarbuttwoodDownload Walk Description With the Sutton Bank National Park Centre in front of you, head to the right side of the building and follow the path to the first crossroads of paths. Turn right here to bring you to the road. Cross over and take the path straight ahead of you. Then turn left at the next junction and follow this windy path to meet the Cleveland Way National Trail. Turn right and follow the Cleveland Way, ignoring all paths off, all the way along the top edge of Sutton Brow. The path enters a wood, turns steadily right, and then turns sharp right - this is now the Garbutt Wood Nature Reserve. When it emerges from the wood, the path passes a gallop on the right and then turns sharply right. Just after the right turn is a wonderful view of the area - and then look for a sign for Thirlby Bank on the left. Take this bridleway all the way down the side of the hill inside the wood, around two hairpin turns. Just as you reach the edge of the wood, take the second turn on the left, and then veer to the left at the fork - to reach Gormire Lake, a Site of Special Scientific Interest. The lake is a natural lowland lake that lies at the foot of Whitestone Cliff. It has has no inflow or major outflow of water. It is thought to be fed by an underground spring and drained by a limestone channel - the water finds a way out through the base of the cliff face to the east of the lake. Gormire Lake is the fourth largest of the natural lakes in Yorkshire (the other three being Hornsea Mere, Malham Tarn and Semerwater). There are several legends attached to the lake, including a knight, Sir Harry Scriven, riding a white mare belonging to the Abbot of Rievaulx Abbey into the lake after being startled by the devil. Turn to the right, and follow the edge of the lake all the way around, to almost meet up with the way you came in, but instead, take the footpath to the right to walk through Garbutt Wood to re-join the Cleveland Way. Turn right and follow the Cleveland Way, crossing the access road for the National Park Centre and heading to the left to return to the car park. For accommodation and meal reservations, see the Thirsk pages.
Walk: Boltby Forest
Discover the enchanting Boltby Forest, a primarily coniferous woodland on the western edge of the North York Moors. This scenic area is a favourite among cyclists and walkers alike, offering a delightful escape into nature. Access the area easily from the Sneck Yate car park and enjoy all that this beautiful part of Yorkshire has to offer. Route Start Point: what3words for start point: ///bigger.stood.analogy Distance: 5 miles Start Location Name: Sneck Yate car park, Cleveland Rd, Thirsk YO7 2HP Finish Location: Sneck Yate car park OS Route Map & GPX File boltby-circular-through-forestDownload Description Starting at the Sneck Yate car park, head along the road to Boltby and turn right to pick up the Cleveland Way. Turn off at Low Paradise Farm to drop into Boltby. Turn right after the church up a road which turns into a track. Follow through Gurtof Wood to the edge of the plantation, then skirt around Whindygill Ridge to Gallow Hill and take right along the track to Steeple Cross. Amble down Hambleton Road to the car park.