IN DIRE need of a good walk, the sleeping bag was aired, the tent pegs found, and access in the nearer reaches of the Lake District checked out. Then came the surprise and welcome news that North Yorkshire County Council were reopening the paths south of the A170 as far as the A19 and the A59 - that is Ryedale, the Howardian Hills and a generous portion of the Vale of York.

All the camping clobber went back in the shed, and I went off to Hovingham. But I'm getting ahead of myself. First, I called County Hall in Northallerton, and got the message that one could not go past a foot and mouth 'no entry' sign even if it was in an opened area. I pondered; this seemed an Alice In Wonderland ruling. I phoned back, got a sympathetic officer, who called me back within half an hour and said he had taken the issue 'right to the top'. From on high came the assurance that walkers can ignore closed signs in open areas, and would not be prosecuted. I was also told that new closed signs would go up where a path ran right through (as opposed to skirting) a pig unit.

Reassured, I set off a-rambling. My Slingsby start was prejudiced by pigs. Eventually after many miles on porker watch I have assembled this from a Hovingham start. It's an elaboration of a route I did a few weeks ago, but much longer and better, really nice.

You leave the village, heading east on tracks. A pair of curlews pottered around fallow or setaside fields, as did lapwings. Hares were on the move, skylarks sang, the roses were out and geraniums and strollers. Summer was humid lush with a hint of thunder. The track turns south and a couple of miles into the walk we start a gentle ascent of the edge of the Howardian Hills on dead-end Tarmac. Our 200-foot climb brings a cracking view of the flat lands. At the top was a blizzard of 'no entry' signs next to Castle Howard warnings about ground nesting birds. I happily ignored the former.

We do a length of the Centenary Way along the top edge. Views are good but intermittent as we are in woods. The track was decorated with the rich yellow of broom, fireweed will soon be out. Surprisingly for a path that had been closed till the day I walked, there were a lot of horse hoof prints.

After a little dip into a grass valley we enter Hovingham Estate woods. One knew this because here were DIY 'no entry' signs in black. The woods are gorgeous, a super mix of trees divided by wide avenue-like tracks. After an oak with a chestnut-type leaf and a pond with a skim of duckweed we leave the trees, get an immediate glance down a funnel of valley then a descent to Hovingham.

Just before writing this I thought to phone Northallerton again, and got a slightly different story. Apparently they would like you to 'respect' the old red 'no entry' signs even though they no longer apply.

Northallerton are to be congratulated on their action. Glitches should be ironed out by the time you do this, any that remain are for you, your attitude, and your legal acumen!

Editor's footnote: We advise walkers to check the latest position on foot and mouth restrictions before setting off. The Evening Press cannot accept responsibility for walkers' actions.

Fact file

Distance: Nearly six miles.

Time: Three hours.

General location: South of the North York Moors.

Start: Hovingham.

Right of way: The complete route is along public rights of way.

Date walked: Saturday, June 16, 2001.

Road route: From York via Strensall and Sheriff Hutton.

Car parking: Road side.

Lavatories: None.

Refreshments: Tearooms and pubs.

Tourist and public transport information: Helmsley TIC 01439 770173.

Map: Based on OS Explorer 300 Howardian Hills and Malton

Terrain: Flat farmland and wooded hills.

Points of interest: Some (not many) new yellow and black, and red and white no-go signs will appear where there is 'no physical barrier' between walker and pigs, to check location - www.northyorks.gov.uk

Difficulty: Moderate.

Dogs: Suitable.

Weather Forecast: Evening Press and recorded forecast 0891 500 418

Please observe the Country Code and park sensibly. While every effort is made to provide accurate information, walkers set out at their own risk.

Directions

When in doubt look at the map. Check your position at each point. Keep straight on unless otherwise directed.

1. North through Hovingham on Helmsley road, edge of village, pavement, bridge to tarmac farm road on right (signed Tuft House Farm on bridge).

2. At end of hedge (before farm), track on right (signed). Stay on track.

3. Track swings right, passes barns (Fryton Grange), road through Fryton.

4. Cross main road, dead-end lane (signed Baxton Howe only).

5. At top of hill right to wood-edge track/path. Ignore all side turns.

6. Stile into field between woods, 100 yards over grass at 11 o'clock, path into wood (over stream), ten yards, gate and path uphill, 50 yards, straight on at first tracks crossroads

7. Right at crossroads of main dirt tracks then ignore two tracks to right.

8. Right at T-junction with grassy track and straight on and past firefighting pond (ignore path on left), 100 yards, edge of wood and good track up then down to Hovingham.

9. Right to road, 50 yards, cross road and path back into Hovingham.