Distance 11 miles
Climbing 2545 ft
Weather Mainly sunny with a little cloud at times
Difficulty moderate to hard
Please click on photo to expand
Climbing 2545 ft
Weather Mainly sunny with a little cloud at times
Difficulty moderate to hard
Please click on photo to expand
Today’s walk was something of a milestone for me because I was back on what was once almost home ground for me so from now until we reached Robin Hoods Bay I did not need to worry any more about navigation.
When we left John at Ingleby Cross we were almost immediately faced with the first climb of the day through Arncliffe Woods on a forestry track which climbed gently for the most part until it reached the top on Scarth Wood Moor where we followed the edge of the wood passing a transmitter station before crossing about half a mile of more open ground to Scarth Nick. We now had another stretch of woodland until we reached Scugdale & Huthwaite Green. This area is a sort of motorway for walkers, Not only is it part of Wainwrights Coast to Coast, it is also part of the Cleveland way and of the Lyke Wake Walk. After a short sharp climb up from Huthwaite Green (I am sure there was once a telephone box here) we crossed Live Moor and Carleton Moor where after passing the site of the former gliding club we descended to what is now a picnic area at the Lords stones and very popular with day trippers to the area.
The path now rises steeply to Falconers Seat on Cringle Moor, which was placed here in memory of Alec Falconer, a well known rambler who died in 1968. Most of the guide books and reports that I have read on the Coast to Coast walk state that for the first glimpse of the North sea, walkers must wait until walking up Fair Head Lane at Grosmont, 20 or so miles further on, well that is incorrect because if you look north from Falconers Seat on a clear day, it is possible to see Hartlepool Bay about 15 miles away. After Cringle Moor another valley is crossed to reach Cold Moor where it descends again into Garfield Gap. Nearby are some spoil heaps from the days when Jet was mined in the area. Badgers sometimes dig into these and uncover small pieces of Jet which were not commercially viable when the mines were working. Nevertheless, they make a nice keepsake if you can find a piece. There is a local tradition which says that carrying a piece of jet in your pocket wards of evil.
The last climb of the day took us up to the Wainstones which is popular with local climbers and ramblers alike, and then after crossing Hasty Bank with its views up Bilsdale, it is possible to see the end of the days walk on the B1257 road at the top of Clay Bank.
As we arrived back at the car we had the pleasure of finding John snoozing in the car.