Yorkshire Coast to Coast (Almost)

OVERVIEW

Designed to cross North Yorkshire west to east at its widest and be accessible by train, the route starts in Arnside in what was Westmorland and ends in Scarborough. The only other design criteria were to cross the Vale of York at its narrowest, gauged to be from Masham to Felixkirk and to use as little tarmac as possible.

There are a few short stretches on A or B Roads where extra care will be needed.

Most of the rest is on minor roads, unclassified roads - shown in yellow on OS maps - and cycleways or bridleways on which there is unrestricted right to cycle. Unusually amongst our routes, some of it is on “Other route with public access”. Please click to see notes on rights to cycle on these.

Although rarely more than a few kilometres from a road, telephone, shop or café, what this route lacks in adventure compared to other routes, it more than compensates for in variety. There are barely 2 consecutive hours of riding which do not have a significant change of scenery.

Only one very short section attracts a seriousness rating of 3, on account of a bad camber on greasy single track with a very steep run out.

A few very short bridleway sections are not (yet) much used, so, depending on time of year it may be advisable to have a long sleaved top and tights/ jogging bottoms with you to protect from brambles and nettles.

The route is described with the first overnight at Hawes. A stop at Ribblehead would give a more balanced option, but, as the junction of the Penine Way, Penine Bridleway, Dales Way and now the “Yorkshire Coast to Coast” you will have to book very early to get in here.

It’s described over four days, but because there is plenty of accommodation within a kilometre our two of the route there are an almost infinite number of variations in the number and distribution of the days you take.

Day 1

OVERVIEW

A very mixed day starts with a medley of unclassified roads and no need to put a foot down bridleways across the old county of Westmorland. From Barbon, a more Pennine landscape follows on longer and more challenging off-road sections.

ROUTE

Turn R out of the station for a couple of hundred metres to take the statutory photo of the Kent estuary. Return to the station and continue for a few metres and go straight on, on the minor road, as the B5282 sweeps off to the L. In about About 800 m your road turns sharply L and crosses the railway on a level crossing. In a further kilometre take the second L towards Hazelslack and in 500 m enjoy your first off road taking the delightful stony track to the R. On reaching tarmac again turn L and follow the minor road through Slack Head to Beetham, where turn R and R again to join the A6 SE for about a kilometre. Turn L at the Tavern, signposted for Farlton. At the T junction with the B6384 turn R into Holme, and just after the centre of the village turn N on North Road. Out of the village, North Road sweeps R to cross the Lancaster Canal and pass under the M6. At the T-junction turn R, S, briefly, on the A6070.

In 500 m just past the homestead of Holme Park Farm take the signed bridleway and go between the main homestead and some large agricultural sheds. Continue on this good track generally E below Holme Park Fell and Newbiggin Crags, known locally, together, as Farleton Fell. As views of the Pennines open out before you, join a minor road and turn L. In 200 m go straight on and at a crossroads where the tarmac turns sharply L continue on the track ahead. Emerge from this track at a long rectangular sheepfold and continue in the same direction on tarmac to the next crossroads, where go straight on, signposted for Sealford Farm. Continue through the farm and cropland as the track deteriorates until you emerge through a wall onto an open grassy area. To maximise your traffic free day, follow the grassy path, now less distinct and curving more N to exit this enclosure at the remains of another elongated sheepfold. A more distinct track issues to the N towards some metal cattle pens. Just to the R of these the bridleway continues NNW past Hollin Hall. It is very overgrown with nettles and brambles! Having negotiated it as best you can, turn L on A65 for a couple of hundred metres before turning R, carefully, on a good track with a sign “Barbon Energy”. Your way goes diagonally to the L across the courtyard of buildings then continues N to the corner of a plantation. The bridleway turns sharp R just outside the boundary of the plantation. It is faint, it can be very boggy and may require some pushing. From the corner of the wood continue E to turn L on tarmac and continue NE to turn R on the B6254. (You could bypass both these inconveniences by continuing straight on at OS Grid Ref: SD 582 790 and taking the minor roads past Long Barn and Pellsyeat.)

In a few metres take a track L, into a small copse (a few meters further along than you would imagine from the map). Follow the track signed for Deansbiggin, E, through a very large farm complex to emerge onto a minor road and turn L. In about 500 m, as the tarmac sweeps to the L continue straight on on a good track. This briefly becomes tarmac just past Mansergh Church but then continues N at a R-angled bend in the road. The track becomes grassy and passes through a small wood before descending to the road just S of Rigmaden Park. Just beyond the Park, turn R towards Sedbergh and follow the road as it winds through the village, crosses the Lune at Rigmaden Bridge and you come to the A683.

Head S, R, for about 300 m and take the unpromising bridleway to the L. It rides much more easy than you might expect and emerges onto tarmac again in a few hundred metres. Turn L and then R to follow the minor road down to the village of Barbon, where turn L, immediately after the first house you come to, along a good track signposted “Bridleway”. In 50m at the end of farm buildings continue on grassy track and after crossing the line of the old railway curve right to join a good tarmac road tangentially to a U bend. Continue on the tarmac until a good forestry track, signed “Bridleway” goes slightly R as the tarmac sweeps slightly L.

If you are in need of refreshment there is a part-time café and a pub in the village. Continue past the bridleway, cross the beck and turn L. The Cafe is down the next R and the pub is straight ahead. You can avoid retracing your steps by continuing past the pub and turning L Just past the Church. Cross the beck again and you are onto the U-bend in the tarmac drive described above and you will soon be bearing right on the forrest track. However, this bit of the tarmac to the bend has only pedestrian right of way and you will, of course, push your bicycles.

Follow the bridleway, a good track, for two and half kilometres, hugging the hillside above the beck until you emerge at Blindbeck Bridge. Cross the bridge and turn L on the tarmac up the Dale. If you are geologically minded observe the Silurian Grit to the L and limestone to the R as you ride along the faultline.

In 3 km, as the road begins to level at the watershed turn R on a good walled track, known by locals as the Ocky (Occupation) Road and follow it, rising for 1 km and then contouring for another. Take the next L, also a good, walled track, and descend, easily at first and then very rockily and technically beside Flinter Gill into the village of Dent. Seek refreshment if you missed out in Barbon, and even if you didn’t.

Head E through the village to The George and Dragon, perhaps pausing at the large memorial stone in recognition of Adam Sedgwick whose observation of the Barbon Dale fault (above) was a major milestone in geology. This is also a milestone for you. The route proper goes to the R but involves a steep and technical climb which will be a push for most humans. If you don’t have the appetite for this go L, follow signs for “Hawes and Ingleton Via Newby Head”. Enjoy the tarmac climb under Dent Head viaduct and at the B6255 turn R briefly and almost immediately L onto the Pennine Bridleway which joins the route proper at Cold Keld Gate on High Cam Road.

Stalwarts, however, turn R in Dent and continue up the S side of the Dale for about 3 km until, shortly after crossing Deepdale Beck at Mill Bridge, turn R up Dyke Hall Lane. In 250 m take the bridleway that goes off to the L but then turns immediately R and ascends the Northern flank of Whernside, a push of 250 m ascent. Once on limestone the way eases, curves around the side of the hill and descends towards the railway, crossing it on the aqueduct built to carry Force Gill over the cutting. A little over a kilometre on, the bridleway goes R under the railway. 100 m after the farmstead of Winterscales turn L on a short section of unclassified road and immediately after the next farm, Gunnerfleet, turn L again on bridleway to pass under the magnificent Ribblehead viaduct. Under the viaduct, turn R in about 50 m to come out onto the B6255 just below the Station Hotel. If you’re lucky enough or prescient enough to have secured accommodation, enjoy your rest and refreshment here.

Otherwise, turn L for 2 km of tarmac to where a good gated track, High Cam Road, forks off to the R as the road swings L. Follow this good track, climbing steadily until it levels and becomes tarmac. In about 1 km turn L, NNE, on the Pennine Way. Enjoy this near level track, technically an unclassified road, for just under 4 km. Where the track starts to plunge invitingly, turn R to stay with the signed “Bridleway”, easy to miss, at Ten End, OS Grid Ref: SD 843 869. This rises briefly, but then offers a delightful limestone turf descent to Gayle. On reaching tarmac again work your way with Ls and Rs through the village and down past the creamery to Hawes. Turn R on the A684 and seek out your accommodation.

Day 2

OVERVIEW

Three ascents, over moors of quite different character and a coda of bucolic Colsterdale to the brewing Mecca of Masham. Which can only be pronounced wrongly.

ROUTE

If you were prescient and fortunate enough to stay at Ribblehead get on High Cam Road as discussed above and continue on the tarmac section for about 4 km after the Pennine Way turnoff. As the tarmac veers very slightly L and plunges towards Gayle, continue straight, R, on the good track which rises slightly and then descends towards Bainbridge with a surface, gradient and straightness which will allow you to pick up horrifying speed. Where the minor road crosses, in the middle of the straight section, turn R to Countersett.

Starting from Hawes, continue E on the B6255 for 2 kilometres to turn R to Burtersett and ascend through this village for another couple of kilometres to cross High Cam Road and descend, through Countersett to Semer Water. Round the end of the lake and climb on tarmac until a very good track breaks off to the R at a sign for Stalling Busk. Follow this track for 3 km up onto a broad plateau and turn L on an equally good track, NNE. 100 m after passing the second gate, bear off to the R, ENE on an easy to miss grassy track. Hold this bearing for 4.5 km, avoiding a R turn until the track becomes walled and well metalled. Descend with gusto for a further 1.5 km and then bear R onto a steeper concrete and tarmac road and descend more carefully into Thoralby.

Turn L at the foot of this road and pass straight through the village, keeping L and exit the village towards Aysgarth. Turn R down an unmarked track, an unclassified road, immediately before the last building on the R. Go past the sewage works and cross Bishopdale Beck by a footbridge. Go straight on when your emerge onto the tarmac and in 200 m turn L on the B6160 to West Burton, where turn R into this picturesque the village, and seek refreshment at the village shop and tea room.

Head SW to exit the village, L, at a no through road sign for “Walden only” and bear L at the next fork in about 500 m. In a further 500 m, cross Walden Beck on Cote Bridge. 150 m after the road straightens take the diagonal track to the L immediately after the second entrance to the Cote farmstead. It curves further L, around the buildings and climbs relentlessly, but more rideable than you might imagine to the watershed. Enjoy the mixed stony and grassy descent, keeping L at Howden Lodge, to gain a good walled track to further speed you down to Carlton.

In Carlton turn R and in 500 m take the L turn signposted to W Scrafton. In a wiggly kilometre arrive at this village and wiggle through the middle of it following signs for Coverham. Just before the end of the village, immediately after crossing a beck turn R on what looks like a private drive, but has a classic “Bridleway” sign. 20 m of tarmac gives way to a good track. Sit back in the saddle and spin your way up, SSE then S, onto West Scrafton Moor. This track was once the road up to a coalmine.

With the bulk of the climbing done, the track levels with spoil heaps down to the R. 100 m before the first of these heaps the route proper veers off to the L. The track is grassy and ill-defined. If you miss it, the good track continues to climb easily to a disused mine shaft at grid reference SE 078812, marked by a large spoil heap. You must however regain the bridleway. Heading directly E from the spoil heap you will meet the bridleway again at a boundary fence.

The bridleway is very narrow and bounded by deep heather but delineated by a series of white sticks. It curves from E to SE over the course of a kilometre until, after a short section S, it arrives at a series of shooting stands in an area clear from heather. At the foot of this area a good estate track goes off to the L. Your bridleway contours to the R, W, and then, ever more indistinctly SW, crossing Long Gill, and then more S across Beldin Gill to join a good track just before Steel House Gill. Turn R and follow this good track to the confluence of Steel House and Long Gills where it crosses the good track from the shooting stand. From here the indistinct bridleway takes the N bank of the River Burn and rejoins the good track on the S bank of the river a few hundred metres before High House Farm. (It is apparent that the bulk the traffic sticks to all of the estate tracks.)

This excellent track, now an unclassified road, undulates slightly E for 1 km then descends steadily for 1.5 km until a R turn, S, is taken just before a farmstead. In about 700 m tarmac is regained at Spout House. A sharp climb leads to a T-junction, were turn L for 2 km. Immediately before Leighton Bridge turn R and climb to Leighton. The map shows the bridleway leaving the road to the L opposite the entrance to Leighton Grange (on the R) and a few metres before the entrance to Leighton Hall. There is, however no gap in the barbed wire topped wall and no bridleway sign. Therefore, turn L into the drive for Leighton Hall and in 25 m L again, along short walled track to a gate. Through the gate turn immediately R through another gate. The way is not well marked on the ground. Head SSE to a gap about one third of the way along the opposite fence. The bridleway, as mapped, heads E and then SE to a gap in the adjacent wall. The indistinct the path continues SE for about 30 m to a bridge over the outflow stream from Leighton reservoir.

Cross it, and the still indistinct bridleway heads slightly N of E for 50 m up a steep wooded bank, though you would save yourself some effort and the countryside some unnecessary trampling by zigging L and zagging R on the good grassy track to the same point. Emerging through the gate at the top continue more or less N-E on improving grassy track. The track curves increasingly to the E past the farmstead at Broadmires and exits onto a R angle bend in a minor road.

Go straight on, descending, for 500 m and turn sharp L, signposted for Healey. Cross the River Burn and climb steeply, looking out for a good track, actually an unclassified road, to the R as the road starts to level. It has a miniscule way mark for the “Ripon Rowel Walk”. Take it for 1.5 km. At the tarmac road turn L and in 400 m go straight on at a bend on the tarmac to take a good track, also an unclassified road, for a similar distance. Turn R and in 2 km you are in Masham.

Day 3

OVERVIEW

The morning begins with mostly flat or rolling minor roads and a smattering of bridleways, to bypass Thirsk across the Vale of York (or Mowbray, as stricter toponymists would have it). It has to be done and is not unpleasant. From Felixkirk the up-and-down, and up-and-down, of deep wooded valleys, cut into the Jurassic limestone plateaux of the Tabular Hills of the N York Moors to Hutton Le Hole begins.

ROUTE

Leave Masham NNW on the A6108 to cross the Ure on the edge of town. In about 500 m, take the B6267, straight on where the main road curves R and in a further 1 km, 200 m after the B6268 comes in from the L, turn R, initially, along the edge of the small copse. After almost 2 km, at a T-junction, the lane curves R to the hamlet of Binsoe and 20 m further your route goes off to the L, SW, without any signage. Shortly, you emerge onto the A6108 again and follow it into W Tanfield.

At the mini roundabout in the centre of town, go straight on and at the second mini roundabout at the edge of town go straight on for Wath. In just under 2 km, as the road starts to sweep R, S, there are a couple of pretty cottages on the L, one stone and one brick with pretty walled gardens in front of them. Take the unlikely gravel drive (“Bridleway” sign lost in shrubbery) past the cottages where it becomes a good track. Follow this, bearing slightly R along the hedge. It becomes grassy and then improves to a good agricultural track again. Cross the minor road in about 2 km and continue on a good track until you emerge onto the B6267 and turn R. Follow this road for a total of 6 km, crossing the A6065, at a roundabout and going under the A1(M), through the village of Ainderby Quernhow, past the village of Howe, to turn L onto the A61, just before Skipton Bridge into Skipton on Swale.

Follow this road for 2 km to the roundabout at Busby Stoop, where turn L on the A167 towards Northallerton. In little over a kilometre, at Sandhutton, turn R, past The Kings Arms pub and cycle through the centre of the village. 500 m after you leave the village the road swings sharply R and in another 70 m a good track, signed “Bridleway” leads off L, E. Follow, this track, past a solar farm, for 1 km. Stay with it as it turns N, L, a little way before a wood. Cycle alongside the wood for 500 m and stay with the track again as it turns sharply R and passes along the top of the wood, across open fields, and under the railway line. 30 m after emerging from the railway tunnel the track turns sharp L again until it comes out onto a good track at Willow Garth.

Turn R on the track and follow it to a minor road, which cross, and continue straight on a farm lane, with “Bridleway” sign, between farm buildings. The lane is well made until it passes a second farm on the L and continues as a good dirt track. In a total of about 2 km the track emerges onto the B1448. Though there is no apparent track or path go almost straight ahead to pass through trees by an NYCC “No camping” sign, cross the remains of the old road and continue across open grassy ground to the bridge across the meandering Cod Beck. Turn R immediately after the bridge and follow the slightly more obvious path SSE for about 100 m to find a bridge over a tributary on your L. Cross it and, avoiding the temptation of the pretty footpath to your R, wiggle your way through buildings with a large courtyard on your L to emerge from a short lane onto the A61. Turn R, S, for 200 m to a mini roundabout where turn L on the minor road signposted for Upsal and, very shortly, pass under the A19 trunk road.

Under the A19 turn immediately R into Hag Lane and follow it L and R to Hag House where the tarmac ends and the bridleway continues as a good track more or less E for just under 1 km. Here the good track turns N, but the bridleway continues, barely more than the headland of the next field, for a further 100 m and then follows the far headland of the field S for about 40 m and crosses an awkward ditch, to the L, into a small agri-industrial estate. The bridleway goes E and passes just N of the large long building ahead between the wall and a fence to emerge into field which it crosses on the diagonal, though there is not much evidence of it on the ground. At the gates where four fields join continue on the southern edge of the adjacent field. In 200 m come out onto a drive, turn R and in 20 m turn L onto the minor road into Felixkirk.

On leaving the village the road swings R signposted for “Boltby” and climbs. It is fair to say you have now crossed the Vale of York. The road swings R and L in front of the imposing entrance entrance to Mount St John then continues straight for about 200 m. As the road heads very slightly to the L, an unclassified tarmac road goes off to the R guarded by a gate and a cattle grid. Take it for 1.5 km where it emerges onto a minor road.

Continue, straight on, along the minor road for 300 m until the road swings L, N, towards Boltby, where continue straight on on a similar section of unclassified tarmac road. It soon turns sharply R and dips to a ford, which was barely more than a wet patch on the road on our visit, before curving to the L and then rising to the R past Tang Hall Farm. Though you wouldn’t know it the unclassified road becomes bridleway just before the next farmstead, Greendale (not named on the 1 to 50k maps). The track almost describes a complete circle into the farm buildings. Leave it, tangentially at the Northernmost point and pass E, with the farmhouse courtyard on your R, into the next field. In the corner ahead, turn more N and climb along the edge of the woods to the highest point, where your bridleway turns back sharply to the R and climbs steeply to the E.

It crosses another bridleway and emerges from the woods at the “Cleveland Way Bridleway” sign. Turn back sharply to the L, and follow the Cleveland Way along the top of Boltby Scar for 400 m, when take the next bridleway to the R, and follow it almost due E along the headland of a flattish arable field and past a very small plantation to a minor road. Almost straight on, a minor road continues in the same direction, signposted for Old Byland. Follow it. Just before this village the road turns sharply to the R and then in a 100 m turns sharply to the L to the village centre. Go straight on at this bend until you come to a T junction at the foot of the village.

Immediately in front is a gate with a “Bridleway” sign. It descends steeply for about 30 m into a wood and then bears L. The path is very greasy and has a bad camber towards a very steep wooded run out. It is probably best walked. Once in the valley bottom there is a long thin clearing through which your route continues on a sometimes boggy track for1 km. At a T-junction with a better track turn L and climb steeply, in 300 m, to a minor road and turn L again.

In 100 m turn R on a poorly maintained tarmac unclassified road with a sign for Tylas Farm and, as you begin to exit the wood, turn sharply R. Descend into this lovely valley, cross the River Rye and climb up the far bank until the road starts to level. Stop at a gate on your R and gawp down at the magnificent ruins of Rievaulx Abbey. If you’d like to go sightseeing – or to use the delightful tea rooms – carry on downhill. Otherwise, take the sharp L hand turn, and climb back through the woods on another unclassified road until you emerge onto flatter arable land and meet the B1257. Turn L and continue on this road for 2 km to the Forestry Commission car park at Newgate Bank. Turn R into the car park and then immediately L. Where the car park swings slightly R, go straight on on a good single track bridleway.

Enjoy the views to your L as you go along the flat and then enjoy the plunge through the woods to meet a well metalled track and turn R. Follow this track along the valley side under Rievaulx Bank, curving from NE to SE over 5 km. Cross a minor road with a very short L and R and continue for another 1.5 km to OS Grid Ref: SE 623 881 where a bridleway crosses.

Take this to the L, NE and then more N to cross the Riccal by a footbridge and climb through a grassy field beside some derelict buildings on your L to pass Hasty Bank Farm to your R. Bear L, tangential to the main farm track, on a stony track for about 100 m to find a signposted, but still easy to miss, bridleway that breaks back to the R and rises through the woods of Hasty Bank.

At the top the bridleway hairpins L, N, and in 50 m a branch goes off to the R as the more distinct track continues along the edge. Take the R turn past an area of agricultural hardstanding and cross the minor road into an open arable field. Continue E about two thirds of the way along its boundary until you are able to turn R, SE, into a wood. Descend gently to a ditch and cross it and then exit the wood slightly N of E and go along the boundary of the next field. Cross the minor road and also continue along the boundary of the next field, indicated by a “Bridleway” sign and go through a small copse to emerge onto tarmac on a corner where a “PRIVATE ROAD” goes off to the L.

Continue L, E, on the tarmac for 1 km to a T-junction, where turn R and continue for a further kilometre to Skiplam Grange. Confusingly, the bridleway comes in from the R, opposite the first entrance to the Grange, but takes the second entrance into the Grange, indicated by a “Bridleway” sign on the opposite, R hand, side of the road. Go down the drive until it opens into a large hardstanding before the house. There is gate through the fence on the R. Go through it and continue on the good track as it curves N and descends behind the house. After 200 m it curves L, NW and enters a wood. Less than 100 m, just after a firebreak on the R and a weak track on the L, fork R and continue to descend on single track to cross Hodge Beck on a small bridge into the flat grassy valley bottom. Cross the valley bottom to the edge of the wood opposite to go soft L along the edge of the wood for 100 m on single track bridleway and then take the R fork to climb up out of the woods and once more into the arable plateau.

At the broad track, an unclassified road, turn L and continue along it until you reach an elbow on the tarmac road. Turn R. Turn L at each of the next two T-junctions to enter the village of Fadmoor, turn R at The Plough, across the village green, and out of the other side to the adjacent village of Gillamoor, where turn R by the school. On leaving the village the road curves R but you take the much smaller road L/straight on. In 1 km, turn L on an unclassified road for 500 m to a T-junction.

Turn R and follow this unclassified road SW and SSW for just under 2 km where it reverts to tarmac. Keep going in the same direction for about 500 m and turn L for “RAVENSWICK” and “YOADWATH ONLY”. The road dips to the valley bottom and passes a new residence of Trumpian magnificence. After the bridge over the Dove the unclassified road rises to a T junction at the tarmac road. Turn L and in 1.5 km you will be in Hutton le Hole.

Day 4

OVERVIEW

Underlying rock shifts from limestone to Ravenscar Sandstone and open moorland leads to a long section of upland forest when two more crossings of open moorland hills deliver you onto the Scarborough-Whitby “Cinder” off-road cycling route along the old railway line to Scarborough.

ROUTE

Head N from the village centre and take the minor road for Lastingham. In 3 km as you drop into this village, between The Blacksmiths Arms and the church, the road curves to the L. Take the next L, signposted “No through road” and climb gently on tarmac for 500 m to the gate. Continue in the same direction for 100 m to bridleway and footpath signs and go on the bridleway for 1.5 km where branch off to the R which contours for a few metres and then climbs steadily again around the shoulder Spaunton Moor. As the ground levels a broad shooting track crosses and ahead the bridleway is entertainingly narrow until it starts to descend, sportingly, E at first, curving to NNW to emerge on a good track at Hollins Farm. 150 m past this farm, just after the track swings to the L, a gate opens in the stone wall and a faint grassy bridleway goes NE to a footbridge and continues NNE to pass to the L of disused buildings towards Yatts Farm. Go up a grassy “passageway” between the walls of the building on your R and a fence and trees on your L. A little surprisingly, at the end of the buildings the bridleway comes up onto an ostensibly private tarmac drive and, in a few meters, exits onto the road where a “Bridleway” sign pointing back confirms you have come the right way. (Some map versions show the way passing through the Farmstead.)

Go R for 40 m and then go L at a gate in the stone wall with a “Bridleway” sign, climbing ENE to the woods ahead. Climb steeply on the single track to the edge of and into the wood, and after 200m contour SSE, below Allotment Farm. In 500 m the track turns sharply L, NE, for 60 m to meet the farm track. Turn R and almost immediately, as the a good track swings to the R, carry straight on into the forest for 500 m and come out onto a minor road. Turn R and almost immediately L onto good single track. In 400 m, exit onto a broad forestry track in a small clearing where several bridleways, fire breaks and tracks meet. Your way is just S of E on the middle of the three possibilities on the opposite side of the road. To the L of your route is another good bridleway and to the R,SE, is a firebreak.

It emerges from the forest onto a minor road which you take, R, with open fields on the R, for 500 m. Take the sharp L, just before an improbably isolated telephone box, and descend to the valley bottom. With a footbridge in front of you, turn R and shortly cross Hartoft Beck. A few metres after the drive of Low Muffles, your bridleway rises, L through a grassy field beside a stone wall on your R and into the forest. In 500 m the single track emerges onto a well mettled track, straight on, for a few metres to a T junction. Turn R for 450 m, where a much narrower track goes off to the L. Follow this track for 400 m to emerge onto a broader track again and continue in the same direction for 700 km to the next broad track, just S of the farmstead at High Muffles. Turn L and immediately R, E. Continue for just over 1 km to a T-junction and turn R on an unclassified road and then, in 50 m L on a minor road.

Descend to a T junction, turn L and keep straight on, N through the hamlet. In 400 m take the next R, an unclassified road, marked “No through road”. Follow it ENE for 2.8 km. The road bears slightly R, E, after the second large farmstead on the L and in 300 m a single track bridleway goes off to the L between the hedged field and forest. Take it. It crosses a substantial track, in about 400 m, and goes off diagonally across a grassy field, NE, to the corner of the forest opposite and towards distant views of open moorland. It hugs the forest, just N of E to the next corner and then strikes off NE to cross another more substantial track, as that track emerges from the forest. It continues, along the edge of the forest to Blawath Beck which it crosses on a small bridge.

The good single track bridleway rises steadily, N, through the open moorland, bypassing the large summit cairn about 100 m hundred metres to its L. In a further 150 m, a branch to the L must be avoided and you will find yourself enjoying a delightfully sporting descent for 1.5 km, N at first, but curving to the NE to cross a small beck by footbridge and emerge onto the tarmac road. Turn R on the road and follow it for 2 km to meet the A169 and turn R again. Briefly gawp at the mysterious early warning radar station at Fylingdales base and descend on the main road for 400 m to cross Eller Beck Bridge and turn immediately L on a good track.

The good track rises parallel to the beck but deteriorates badly after 1.5 km. Stick as closely to the beck as you can, crossing it at its confluence with Little Eller Beck and then stay with Little Eller Beck despite several tempting stronger tracks to the R. As the beck and the track become more consistently E, the track improves slightly and then joins a very good track, after a total of 3 km from the road. At a gate cross another strong track and continue in the same direction on single track bridleway for 250 m towards the large stone Lilla Cross. Your bridleway goes off L, N, a few metres before the cross. In about 400 m cross a larger track, and descend, steadily, but interestingly in places for 5 km. The track bears NNE at first and then curves to ENE towards a T-junction at a confluence of becks. Turn R for a few hundred metres to gain the A171. Turn R on the main road and in 400 m take the second driveway to the L, marked “Bridleway.”

Prepare to revert to childhood, playing “1st to spot the sea” as you follow it for 1.2 km past St Ives Farm, along the edge of a small copse and through open pasture to a T-junction with another bridleway at a stone wall. Go R here and very shortly L to continue E over a shallow brow and begin to descend through Swallow Head Farm with the ocean before you. In a further 1 km reach tarmac road again at Fyling Old Hall Farm and turn R. The road turns sharply L, and in a further 200 m it is crossed by the Scarborough-Whitby “cinder” cycle route. Take it to the R.

This is the line of the old coastal railway so navigation for the next 20 km is mostly straightforward: “Follow the way marked track.” And enjoy the marvellous coastal and rural views.

There is 0.5 km of minor road at Ravenscar, straight on from the National Trust Tea Rooms until the old Station Square is found on the R.

At Burniston it emerges onto the A171 at a Toucan crossing, though it’s not clear that the pavement on the far side is part of the cycle way. Go L and in 50 m the way goes off to the R besides the large house at the end of Hawthorn Close.

At Scalby the way emerges onto a suburban street. Follow it for 200 m to a T-junction and turn L. At the next T-junction turn R and then L into a small close. The way goes off to the R and then L between and behind houses which bear a sign admonishing “Cyclists take care.”

In Scarborough it is well signposted through public parks until it crosses a minor road into Sainsbury’s car park, where you are on your own until you muddle out onto the A171 and turn L for the Station and, if you want more fresh air and fun, the beach.