Walks in Hood Grange
From easy city strolls to challenging trails, discover the best of Hood Grange 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: Sutton Bank and the Kilburn White Horse Walk
This challenging circular walk in the North York Moors visits the Kilburn White Horse, the lovely Gormire Lake and the scar at Sutton Bank. It's one of the premium walks in the park and a must see if you are in the area. The Route what3words for start point: ///premises.enchanted.whips Start / Finish Point: Sutton Bank National Park Centre, Sutton Bank, Thirsk YO7 2EH Distance: 6 Miles GPX Route Map sutton-bank-and-the-kilburn-white-horseDownload Walk Description Start at the car park which sits just under the white horse and pick up the Cleveland Way to take you to the 978 ft (298 m) summit of Sutton Bank. The hill is a high point in the Hambleton Hills and commands splendid views over the North York Moors, the Vale of York and the Vale of Mowbray. At the summit you will find the fascinating Sutton Bank Visitor Centre where you can find out how the dramatic landscape was formed in the ice age. From the viewing platform there are views of Roulston Scar, Hood Hill and Lake Gormire. There's a handy view indicator which displays all the landmarks you can see. Also look for gliders setting off from the top of the hill on fine days. From the summit descend through woodland to Gormire Lake, passing the striking Whitestone Cliff as you go. Continue through the countryside before a final woodland section through the Hoodhill Field Plantation returns you to the car park. The area is also great for mountain biking. The North York Moors National Park Authority has created a green, blue and red trail. These are all waymarked and start from the Sutton Bank National Park Centre where you can hire bikes. Just to the south east you can also visit the magnificent Byland Abbey. The 12th century abbey includes extensive ruins and wonderful brightly coloured medieval floor tiles.
Walk: Cleveland Way National Trail
The 109 mile horseshoe-shaped Cleveland Way starts in the wonderful market town of Helmsley before stretching across the breathtaking heather moorland of the North York Moors National Park then returning south along the coast from Saltburn-by-the-Sea. The Route Start Point: Helmsley Finish Point: Filey Distance: 109 miles GPX Route Map cleveland-wayDownload Walk Description what3words for start point: ///expose.billiard.walnuts The 109 mile horseshoe-shaped Cleveland Way starts in the wonderful market town of Helmsley before stretching across the breathtaking heather moorland of the North York Moors National Park then returning south along the coast from Saltburn-by-the-Sea. The route progresses along the North Yorkshire coastline to Filey, passing old fishing villages and bustling coastal towns. The National Trail runs through the smuggler’s village of Robin Hood’s Bay and the fantastic seaside resorts of Scarborough and Whitby You can walk the Cleveland Way at any time of year but if you want to see the moorland heather in bloom, the best time to visit is late August and early September. It is better to walk it in a clockwise direction from Helmsley to Filey with the wind behind you. It can be challenging in places, especially along the coastal areas. There are plenty of shorter circular walks that incorporate stretches of the path that can be completed in a day.
National Trails
We're lucky to have four of Britain's finest National Trails here in Yorkshire. So take your pick. The Cleveland Way roller-coasts around the North York Moors from Helmsley to the coast. The Yorkshire Wolds Way rambles through peaceful fields and over gentle chalk-hills. Or for something more strenuous, the Pennine Way strides through the Yorkshire Dales on its mammoth journey from the Peak District to Scotland. Or maybe the purpose built Pennine Bridleway is your kind of walk, bike or horse ride? Try a Trail One of the best things about these trails, apart from the amazing scenery, is how easy it is to sample them. You don't have to do the whole thing end-to-end. And you don't have to be hardy hiker. You can stroll along a route for a few hours then loop back to your start-point. Once you've sampled a few days on one of Yorkshire's National Trails, walking a route in its entirety will surely be your next aim. It may take a week or longer, but the sense of achievement is supreme, while close contact with the natural environment provides its own spiritual rewards - and it doesn't do the waistline any harm either. Walkers come in all different varieties. Some like to do it in style, staying at good B&Bs and having their luggage brought on each day by a baggage handling company, while many like to enjoy shorter walks just for the day. But there's still a place for the hardy hiker seeking the thrill and challenge of being exposed to some of the most outstanding scenery in Britain. Cleveland Way Distance: 109 miles (98 miles in Yorkshire)Duration: 9 daysStart: Helmsley, North YorkshireFinish: Filey Brigg, North Yorkshire GPX Route Map cleveland-wayDownload Follow the fantastic scenery of the North York Moors National Park, crossing stunning lengths of heather moorland and providing spectacular views of the North Yorkshire coastline. Starting from the attractive market town of Helmsley, the trail heads across the inspirational, and sometimes vibrant heather moorland of the North York Moors, before reaching the coast at Saltburn. From here it's a visual feast along the dramatic North Yorkshire coastline to Filey, passing old fishing villages and lively coastal towns, including Staithes and Whitby. Along the way there is a wealth of history and heritage to enjoy. Helmsley Castle, Rievaulx Abbey, Mount Grace Priory, Gisborough Priory, Whitby Abbey and Scarborough Castle to name just a few special sites. A good level of fitness is needed to walk the whole route in one go, especially if you carry your own gear. However you can do a short section or a day walk which would be much easier. The distance you walk is entirely up to you - maybe you'll enjoy a few hours steady saunter, or maybe a few days trekking. Accommodation and pubs are great along the route. You're sure to get a warm Yorkshire welcome! The shoulder seasons in spring and autumn are good times to walk the Way. It will be quieter and it can be easier to book accommodation. Filey Brigg is also the northern end of the Yorkshire Wolds Way, so why not keep going for another week of waking on one of Yorkshire's Top Trails? For a real test of stamina, if you can manage another 48 miles walking, follow the Tabular Hills Walk between Scarborough and Helmsley, to complete the circuit around the North York Moors National Park, and you'll be able to travel by train to Scarborough, Whitby, Saltburn, Great Ayton or Kildale to start it. Pennine Way Distance: 270 miles (80 miles in Yorkshire)Duration: 6 to 19 daysStart: Edale, Peak DistrictFinish: Kirk Yetholm in the Scottish Borders The Way takes you from the Peak District along the Pennine ridge, through the Yorkshire Dales and beyond. There are plenty of historical and cultural interest sites along the way to be enjoyed too. Starting at the scene of the Kinder Scout mass trespasses of the 1930s, walk through the Southern Pennines, the cradle of the Industrial Revolution, pass Haworth, home of the Brontë sisters, across the limestone country of the Yorkshire Dales, and enter an area renowned for its lead mining history. Finally you'll reach the Roman Wall and beyond that the territory of the Scottish Border rivers. The Pennine Way takes you into isolated country. As with all walks, sound planning is important. Brush up your navigation skills, carry the appropriate large-scale maps and know how to use them. There are sections of the route, especially at each end, which require careful thought about accommodation and advance booking is advisable at most times of the year. It's a life affirming (possibly changing) experience. Pennine Bridleway Distance: 350 miles (when complete) GPX Route Map penninebridlewayelev20200819Download The Pennine Bridleway is one of the newest National Trails and the first purpose built trail of its kind designed specifically for horse-riders, off-road cyclists and walkers to enjoy. The entire Pennine Bridleway will eventually run for 350 miles (560km) from the High Peak Trail in Derbyshire to Byrness, Northumberland. It follows a mix of old packhorse routes and drove roads, often sensitively refurbished and upgraded, linked with newly created stretches of bridleway. It's well signposted and maintained, which means you don't have to be a serious mountain biker to enjoy some of our finest mountain bike country. Open sections include 73 miles through Derbyshire to the South Pennines, the 47 mile Mary Towneley Loop, which runs close to Todmorden, and the 10 mile Settle Loop in the Yorkshire Dales. Yorkshire Wolds Way Distance: 79 milesDuration: 6 daysStart: Hessle, East YorkshireFinish: Filey, North Yorkshire yorkshire-wolds-wayDownload A National Trail to savour. It's not too strenuous and offers a route where the peace and quiet of country life still dominate and the gentle charm of the Yorkshire Wolds leaves the walker refreshed in body and spirit. As well as being a National Trail, the Wolds Way National Trail forms part of the E2 European walking route. If you're looking for your first National Trail to walk, then the Yorkshire Wolds Way gives you a not too challenging introduction. It's only 79-miles long and the Wolds make for easier walking than the North Yorks Moors, the Dales and the rest of the Pennines in Yorkshire. To make things even easier there are train stations near the start of the walk on the shore of the Humber estuary in Hessle and its North Sea coast end in Filey.