Beck Dale and Ash Dale are classic valleys most associated with the Yorkshire Dales to the west. They form the bulk of this walk. However, the attractive woodland adds much to them, as does the attractive market town of Helmsley.
Helmsley is where the southern edge of the North York Moors meets the Howardian Hills and is the only market town in the area. It is lovely, set around a large square (used for parking) with attractive Yorkshire stone buildings all around.
Having parked the car, head west to the well-signposted castle before heading off on the walk proper. The castle has been there for 900 years (Norman times) and is now little more than a ruin. Nearby the Walled Garden is well worth a visit.
Enough sight seeing, at the main road to Rievaulx Abbey turn left, ignore the signpost at the start of the Cleveland Way and continue along the road for 200 metres past some lovely cottages.
Where the road bends left, a footpath goes straight on in a north westerly direction into some woods. After 100 metres, cross the footbridge, and the land turns into a wide footpath, symptom of the excellent walking through the woods. This is Beck Dale. Almost immediately pass an old saw mill.
From here, keep to the valley floor and follow the path for two miles, taking the right hand (signed) fork where the valley splits. The stream further up in Hag Woods is particularly enchanting, a profusion of wild flowers. The woods are a mix of beech, conifer, hazel, ash and oak and offer a pleasant backdrop to the walk.
After two miles the path bends right and climbs steeply up a shallow gully. Follow the route as it turns 90 degrees to the left and meets a boundary. Follow this for 500 metres and at a junction of paths turn right, leave the woods and head for a minor road near High Baxtons Farm. Turn right at the road and follow the road for 300 metres before turning left on to a footpath leading across open fields with good views to the south. The path then enters Ash Dale and turn right and heads south towards Helmsley.
The path divides almost immediately, take the right fork. This is the Tabular Hills Walk, one of a number of excellent long distance walks that criss-cross the area. Ash Dale is different to Beck Dale as there is no stream running through it. Although both dales are steep sided they feel that they are of different character, I find Ash Dale more enclosed and generally "close".
I am assured that the mix of trees is similar but I find more conifers in Ash Dale making it more of a forest than a woodland walk. Others may disagree but I do enjoy the contrast between the two.
After nearly two miles the path leaves the woods and comes to a fiddly bit just above Helmsley. The Tabular Way main path goes right, left, right, left, all within half a mile, but it does drop directly into the centre of town past a cemetery.
It is possible to follow a path heading left from the woods directly on to a tarmac road heading in to the east end of Helmsley.
Walk facts:
Distance: Roughly 6.5 miles.
Height to climb: 130m (430 feet).
Start: SE 613839. The central market place has parking but if full there is more towards the castle.
Difficulty: Easy/moderate. Good tracks make this a straightforward walk with only one short steep climb.
Refreshments: Helmsley has a good choice of pubs and cafes.
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.
More walks here:
- Grouse butts, mining shafts and a surprising trig point in a classic Yorkshire walk
- Explore beyond falls to stunning woodland, a pretty village and James Herriot's pub
- Walk this stunning mountain route with only skylarks for company
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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.
He runs navigation courses at different venues in the Yorkshire Dales and Moors and has guiding holidays including the Three Peaks in three days and ‘Dales 30’ weekenders. Where2walk.co.uk features hundreds of walks with descriptions across Yorkshire and beyond, from easy strolls to harder climbs.
Visit the website for details of all these walks, guiding days and navigation courses.
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