A walk of great variety. Stunning views from the edge of Sutton Bank, pleasant woodland, open fields, the White Horse and a hidden lake combine to produce a pleasant day out. Drop in to Kilburn for a pint after and explore a part of the countryside many will know little about.

I prefer starting this walk at the White Horse car park midway up the zig zags on the road climbing steeply from Kilburn.

Start by heading a few metres uphill to the famous White Horse created out of the limestone bedrock of the area. However, the limestone (being greyer than chalk) does require some artificial whitening, either by whitewash or chalk chippings from nearby. At 218 by 314 feet it dominates the views from the south west, mimicking similar carvings in the south of England.

(Image: Jonathan Smith)

Return to the car park and head into the woods on the forest track heading initially west before bending into a more northerly direction. Keep to the track for half a mile, always bearing downhill and to the left until a bridle path is reached in the forest.

Turn sharp left for 100m before turning sharp right and head north along the bridle path. This is an area of mixed woodland and drops gradually downhill before a gate takes you out of the woods. Cross a field towards the farm of Hood Grange before a left and right takes you on to the main A170.

(Image: Jonathan Smith)

Turn right along the side of the road for 100 metres and take the footpath heading north and climbing over open ground. At Gormire Farm, turn left and soon arrive at Gormire Lake, one of only four natural lakes in Yorkshire. Formed out of glacial melt, the lake has a dark, brooding appearance and is a magnet for myths and mysteries. The lake was once thought to be bottomless, and the cliffs behind it were said to be the gates to hell, which is all a bit odd as today it is peaceful and a magnet for local birdlife.

(Image: Jonathan Smith)

However arrive after dark and you may be confronted with some wild swimmers. Don’t ask why after dark!

Time to move on. The path (take the one clinging to the side of the lake) heads north for a further 300 metres through mixed woodland before meeting a bridle path. Turn right, sharply uphill.

This is a steep and direct climb of nearly 500 feet as it leads from the foot to the top of the escarpment. The climb is worthwhile though, on emerging on the scarp the views over the Vale of York and over to the Dales in the far distant are superb. So good Alf Wight (better known as James Herriot) claimed they were the finest in England.

Turn right onto the scarp path and enjoy the next two miles, the best part of the day is left until last. The path keeps near the edge of the escarpment and after one mile arrives at the large car park and visitor centre of Sutton Bank. Pass it and carry on along the edge until you reach the White Horse (below you but sign posted). From here, drop down to the car park.

Walks facts:

Distance: Roughly six miles.

Height to climb: 250m (820 feet).

Start: SE 515812. The White Horse car park is on the road leading from Kilburn up the steep escarpment.

Difficulty: Moderate. There is a steep climb up the escarpment and some route finding challenges in the forest but on the scarp the walking is superb.

Refreshments: The Forresters Arms is one mile away in Kilburn.

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.

Recommended reading:

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  • 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, October 12. Join his guided walks in September. Climb Pen-y-Ghent (21st), Whernside (22nd), Ingleborough (23rd) and join his Dales 30 Weekender based in Sedbergh (24/25th).
  • 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.