An easy walk through woodland and meadows with a chance to see orchids, giant Royal ferns, deer and a wide variety of colourful flowers.
The Route
- what3words for start point: ///supporter.purple.riots
- Start / Finish Point: Askham Bar Park & Ride, York YO24 1LW
- Distance: 2.5 Miles
GPX Route Map
Walk Description
Start this walk from the entrance to Askham Bar Park and Ride Site (buses 3 or 3a) The grassy verges in this area are covered in bright yellow birds-foot trefoil flowers in the summer. With the Park and Ride site entrance behind you turn right and follow a footpath shared with cyclists heading away from the city centre.
If you look carefully in the grassy verges along this path you may find bee orchids, common spotted orchids or pyramidal orchids. Continue walking along this path which leads to a bridge crossing the York to London Railway Line. Walk to the end of a gravel car parking area and then turn right going through a wooden gate and following a track which skirts around the edges of Pike Hills Golf Course before leading to the entrance to Askham Bog.
By following a boardwalk it is possible to see a wide variety of wetland flowers, as well as giant Royal ferns and sometimes deer. After returning to the car parking area cross the road at a pedestrian crossing and follow a surfaced footpath that leads to Copmanthorpe. After passing under a bridge look for a track on the right. Follow this track uphill to find a pond and many colourful flowers including ox-eye daisy and common knapweed. Upon reaching the end of the trail turn sharp left and follow the roadside path back to Askham Bog entrance and then return to Askham Bar. Look out for some tall fennel plants on the way.