George Wilkinson takes a river route from Pockley by thorns and flowers
The bluebells in my sheltered garden are out, and reminded me to head for Riccal Dale, one of the best places for a sea of blue, and lovely in many other ways. I chanced on a rare, spring-like day, and five minutes drive from Helmsley brought me to Pockley, an unspoilt, linear village of farms and cottages, many exquisite and thatched.
We flat-track out from Pockley, pastures were full of lambs, baby rabbits and lapwings, and marvel at the vista of Ryedale way down below.
After ten minutes we intersect at right angles with Riccal Dale. Instead of descending take the valley rim north.
This leads us through thickets of thorns and the blackthorn was full in flower, striking white and bare of leaf. Bluebells are everywhere, their leaves were nibbled where there was a rabbit warren.
And it was only the leaves, no sheen of blue yet, just the sparkle of one flower every yard or so.
The path leads through open zones of tussocky grasses, silver birches, and woods, honeysuckle swarms up the pines. Being early spring, there's no question of not being able to see the views for the leaves.
Every now and then you'll come across a bare mound, teeming with large, brownish ants. Make sure they don't swarm up your pants.
At a clump of gorse, a steep track leads into the valley. Incidentally, there are glow-worms here on summer nights.
We pass the only, and gloriously situated, house on today's route then cross pasture to the River Riccal. Not a big river but clear and quick. The valley sides are all wooded except for one area which has been tidied up after it was felled by a storm. For a while I followed the river. There's a Scout campsite with rustic huts, and the path turns to track and then to wide, smooth, forestry road. It's flowers galore here in this rich, calcareous valley. I saw, full out, an astonishing number of primroses, acres of anemones, violets and wild strawberry.
A calorie-burning but steady climb takes you to the top and an 'off the beaten track' descent on faint and rescued path takes you down to the river again.
A hidden, sheltered footbridge crossing sets you up for a nice last climb, which for me was bordered by big clumps of primroses, a consolation for being a week or two early for the bluebells.
DIRECTIONS
When in doubt look at the map. Check your position at each point. Keep straight on unless otherwise directed.
South through village, track on right opposite last thatched cottage on left (fieldgate, signed).
Right at valley edge (fingerpost revolves), track turns to path, gate into scrub then through fields.
At edge of conifer wood (by small gate), right uphill outside wood to stile at corner, left to wood-edge path that turns to track.
Fieldgate at Y-junction (by gorse), left fork downhill on stony track, fieldgate at junction halfway downhill, left to track through field between house and barn.
Footbridge over River Riccal and left, gate, gap by fieldgate to track. Track swings uphill by pheasant pens, 200 yards, left at T-junction to forest track, right fork at Y- junction and continue uphill.
Left at top of hill, fieldgate, fieldgate, 200 yards, new stile on left by thorn bush and faint path downhill through wood (swings 1 o'clock after 50 yards and ends with a sharp left and 50 yards down to forest track).
Right onto forest track. At clearing on left, fork left to grassy track, footbridge over River Riccal and right uphill, fieldgate, rejoin outward route.
FACT FILE
Distance: Five miles.
Time: Two hours.
Start: Pockley Right of way: The complete route is along public rights of way.
Date walked: April 19, 1999
Road route: Pockley is one mile north of the A170 Helmsley/Kirkbymoorside road.
Parking: Roadside.
Lavatories: None. Nearest at Helmsley.
Refreshments: Cafes and pubs two miles away at Helmsley.
Tourist & public transport info: Helmsley TIC 01439 770173
Map: The OS map is North York Moors western area, OL 26.
Terrain: Two climbs, good surfaces bar a few hundred yards.
Footwear: Walking boots, stout shoes or, if dry, trainers.
Points of interest: Riccal Dale. Bluebells.
Difficulty: Moderate.
Dogs: Suitable for dogs but keep on leads or under close control.
Weather forecast: Evening Press and recorded forecast 0891 500 418
PICTURE:Quiet flows the River Riccal where carpets of bluebells and other wild flowers line the banks to welcome walkers
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