This is a short walk in the North York Moors near Kirkbymoorside. The highlight is the two villages of Hutton-le-Hole and Lastingham, but the walk includes good views and a brief visit to the delightful Fairy Call Beck.
Hutton-le-Hole is three miles north of Kirkbymoorside and there is a large car park at its other end. Not only are the buildings attractive but there is a feeling of spaciousness; there are places to walk, dawdle and sit without buildings seemingly on top of you. In addition, Ryedale Folk Museum is excellent and it is worth spending time there before or after the walk.
Walk to the south of the village and turn left into some pleasant woodland. Avoid the more obvious path heading south parallel to the road and head on the footpath leading away from the road, through some woods and then on a short climb through some fields.
After the climb the path meets a small area of forestry, do not go in but take the lane to your right, heading east and gradually uphill. Follow the lane for one mile to Grange Farm, meet a road and with a quick right then left, enter the hamlet of Spaunton. The lane has good views to your right but the moors to the north are blocked off by the heights of Riccal Head.
As the road leaves Spaunton it drops gently to a T-junction, there is a path signed opposite and a little to the right. This is the best way of entering Lastingham. The path initially enters an area of woodland before it opens out with good views across the village to the moors beyond.
Lastingham is an attractive village with places to stop for a cuppa but is probably best well known for the fine church of St Mary's complete with war memorial, clock tower, Norman architecture and crypt. The village was less scenic in times past as a centre for corn mill production.
From the church continue east through the village before turning left up a dead end road heading directly for the moors, past Lastingham Grange Country House.
At a junction of paths, just beyond the road end, turn sharply left/west. Drop down to a small stream and then climb alongside a wall which soon bends back towards the quiet road linking Lastingham with Hutton-le-Hole. Turn right and walk along the road for 300 metres to a footpath on your right heading in to the moors.
The path climbs a little above Fairy Call Beck but you have to arrive at the moor road and turn left to enjoy the stream to its full. Leave the road (it is access land) and walk for a little alongside the stream before returning to the road and back to Hutton-le-Hole.
If you would like to extend the walk turn right at the road at Fairy Call Beck and climb for a quarter of a mile before leaving the road to your right and soon arriving at the fine viewpoint of Spaunton Knowl.
Walk facts.
Distance: Roughly 5.5 miles.
Height to climb: 150m (490 feet).
Start: SE 704902. There is a large pay and display car park.
Difficulty: Easy/medium. This is a generally easy walk with a little climbing between the villages.
Refreshments: The Crown at Hutton-le-Hole is lovely and there are cafes in the village.
Be prepared: The route description and sketch map only provide a guide to the walk. You must take out and be able to read a map (O/S Explorer OL26) and in cloudy/misty conditions a compass. You must also wear the correct clothing and footwear for the outdoors. Whilst every effort is made to provide accurate information, walkers head out at their own risk.
Please observe the Countryside Code and park sensibly.
Like the look of this walk? Check out some of Jonathan's other suggestions:
- A short walk at Long Preston, perfect for a summer stroll
- Limestone pavements walk at Chapel-le-Dale and Twisleton
- A walk to discover the lead mines of Swaledale in Yorkshire
Jonathan Smith is the owner of Where2walk, a walking company based in the Yorkshire Dales. He has written three books on walking in the Dales, The Yorkshire 3 Peaks, The Dales 30 mountains and Walks without Stiles. All these books (and more) are available direct from the Where2walk website.
Book a navigation (map and compass skills) training day near Settle or a bespoke day for a private group. The next available course is on Saturday, August 31. Join our “Dales 30” Weekender in Sedbergh or “Three Peaks in Three Days” guided walks in September.
Where2walk.co.uk also features hundreds of walks across Yorkshire and beyond, from easy strolls to harder climbs. Visit the website for details of the walks, guiding days and navigation courses.
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