By hill and dale

Snainton doesn't seem an auspicious start, a busy road, a bit noisy. But up north are two lovely velvet grooves of valley to discover.

So pop up Nettledale Lane, swing onto track, and you'll soon lose the roar of the Scarborough-bound traffic and pick up the spread of views over the Vale of Pickering to the Wolds.

It's a dog-walker's delight, and as a local lass said, 'not much of a climb'.

Half an airy mile eastwards over pleasant agriculture brings you to the day's first valley. Suddenly the ground dips sharply into the north/south running parkland of Wy Dale. Overseeing the valley is Wydale Hall.

We turn towards the hall, under beech, larch and pine, and at a giant redwood and a hillock of rhododendrons, close on the buildings.

A gaggle of young girls emerged from the woods and offered complex directions. I found an adult at the Emmaus Centre who explained that the place is owned by the Diocese of York and that the children were of the Church Lads and Church Girls Brigade from New Earswick.

Re-orientated, I passed through the scatter of buildings, along herbaceous border, to a couple more fields.

A Christian attitude to walkers here, paths aren't ploughed up every season.

Next, Brompton Dale, gorgeous valley number two. I had my sandwich stop in the lee of a drystone wall, watched the bees on the buttercups and daisies, and the play of cloud shadows on the Wolds-like grassy curves.

On cue, the skylarks sang, and a cloud spat rain.

We go down to a circular pond, speckled yellow and white with water crowfoot, and take the valley base to Cote Head Farm which looks nice and has friendly farmers.

Just after I'd rounded the buildings were some yellowhammers flitting around upturned troughs.

We track back, past woods and along verges of violet and cowslip, cross an old crossroad and then sample the top end of Wy Dale. Here is a sign that marks and reads the 'High water mark of The Great Flood caused by the cloud burst, May 1910, when raging torrents thirty yards wide swept down this dale and carried all before it including two large stone gateposts, walls and farming implements'. Just cross your fingers.

The walk has a good finish, a direct track provides the best vista of the flatlands, an almost 180 degree arc of far boundary hills and two 'aerial' views of Snainton village.

DIRECTIONS

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

1. From Station Road, right to main road (A170), first left by pub (signed Troutsdale), first right, lane turns to track.

2. When track turns right downhill, straight on to field edge (signed). Gate into valley and left, path slopes downhill.

3. Stile/fieldgate into wood, track, 20 yards, right, 300 yards, right at white post (waymarked) into grounds of Hall, pass tennis courts, old gate and left to concrete track, snickelgate and right.

4. Left to lane, 25 yards, right (through courtyard), fieldgate, track, fieldgate.

5. Fieldgate into valley and 11 o'clock down to pond then left up valley bottom, forking right to farm. Fieldgate, fieldgate between house and barn, through yard.

6. Left to track and stay on it (four fieldgates).

7. Left to road, fork right to track by large new shed, left at main road.

FACT FILE

Distance: Four and a half miles.

Time: Two hours. Start: Snainton.

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

Date walked: Saturday, April 10.

Road route: Snainton is on the A170 between Pickering and Scarborough.

Parking: Roadside, I used Station Road.

Lavatories: None.

Refreshments: Two pubs.

Tourist & public transport information: Pickering TIC 01751 473791

Map: The OS map is North York Moors eastern area, OL 27.

Terrain: Good going on tracks, two valleys.

Footwear: Walking boots, stout shoes, or if dry, trainers.

Points of interest: Wy Dale and Brompton Dale. Views.

Difficulty: Moderate/easy.

Dogs: Suitable for dogs on leads and under close control.

Weather forecast: Evening Press and recorded forecast 0891 500 418

PICTURE:Wydale Hall looks elegant and imposing in Wy Dale

Click here to view a map of the walk