A wonderful jaunt around the lovely countryside to the north of Thornton-le-Dale – accessed by the bus stops for Coastliner in the middle of the village.
Table of Contents
The Route
- what3words for start point: ///bombshell.folk.speeding
- Start / Finish Point: Chestnut Ave, Thornton Dale, Pickering YO18 7RR
- Distance: 7 Miles
GPX Route Map
Download file for GPSWalk Description
From the bus stops in Thornton-le-Dale, head towards the traffic lights with The New Inn on the corner. Depending on which direction you’ve come on the bus, either cross Maltongate then over the A170 to be opposite the pub or stay on this side by crossing over Whitby Gate; then continue to walk alongside the A170 Pickering Road. After crossing over Greengate Lane on the right, take the stile set back on the right and follow the clear path into another field, and then another. Here the path cuts straight across another field before reaching a track on the left of an isolated tree. Turn right, but then left to follow the boundary of the field.
The path enters the thin shape of Hagg Wood, only to emerge almost straight away on the far side, and then takes a left to go around the grounds of High Oaks Grange. Don’t turn left down the access road, but continue around the grounds on the clear path towards the trees. Enter the wood, and follow the path as it turns to the right. The path becomes more of a track as it enters Howl Dale Wood, and here, follow the track all the way through the entire length of the wood.
Eventually, the track splits towards the end of the wood – and you take the left fork on the path which leaves the wood on the left side. Follow the path around to the left and to a collection of buildings, which you turn right and walk through at Low Kingthorpe. Follow the footpath as it turns sharp left, but then via to the right at the split of paths and follow the clear path on the ground to the trees in the far corner. Turn right and follow the line of the trees to reach the road.
Cross over the road and turn left, taking care with fast vehicles, but you turn off to the right over a metal stile very soon. Follow this path alongside the line of trees of Pexton Moor, then straight through a line of trees into a more overgrown field. At the junction of paths, turn right, and follow the line of trees on your left to reach Dalby Forest Drive on the left just after Pexton Moor Farm.
Turn right, and follow the drive until it turns to the right. Here, head for the track which looks to almost carry straight on, and then turn right to follow the marked public footpath through the wood to eventually go past St Hilda’s Church at Ellerburn.
Cross the road and the beck, and turn right following the side of Thornton Beck; crossing over it via a bridge later on. Follow the path all the way to Thornton Mill, and turn left onto Priestman’s Lane, with the beck in front of you. Follow the road and when the beck turns to the right, cross over it using the bridge. Follow this path to the A170, and then turn right to return to the bus stops.