GEORGE WILKINSON heads for Gillamoor
Three miles up from the flat lands and Kirkbymoorside brings you to an altitude of 600 feet on the North York Moors and Gillamoor.
A sleepy little place' with a brand new village shop. A popular place to walk to and from. I've done a figure of eight that keeps altitude, a loop south and a loop north, with a civilised intersection and intermission at the village.
Two shorties, quite easy, and in some ways mirror images, both with snapshot peeps into near valleys and both with long open vistas. Also each has an access curiosity. I wandered down the street to St Aidan's Church.
After about half a mile, a track disappears into Douthwaite Dale, we spurn it and take a little-used path through woods to emerge to a valley-top track of overhanging trees, dappled light, old quarries and a lime kiln. You'll like the surprise views of the secluded dale and be astonished by the pheasant metropolis.
A field, tented and draped with nets, looks more for the Bedouin than for birds. At turnaround time, you'll walk past a sign that for years has read 'No Public Path'. Indeed!
The public path has been blocked for ages, a situation exacerbated by the Great Storm and perpetuated by new planting. I've offered two returns to Gillamoor.
The 'all track version' is fine, but I took off across the fields for a better look up lower Farndale. Near the village, at a multi-path junction, I met a trio out from Kirkbymoorside who were puzzling over a pristine copy of my first ever Evening Press walk.
They took my 1996 route to the pub, I beat them with my new one, and we had a nice drink in the sunshine. Sucking on a lolly, I puzzled over Gillamoor's five-bladed sundial and strolled off to St Aidan's again. A plaque is set in the graveyard wall - 'Thou, who hast given me eyes to see. And love this sight so fair ...' And here we have it.
The famous Surprise View, a great hollow with valleys leading north and south, and moorland roads climbing out. We contour along the top of another wooded slope with snapshot views, this time to Farndale.
I sat out a shower on a commemorative bench, admired the purple heather in battle on the slopes with bright green bracken. The rain didn't dampen the fireweed's snowstorm of fluffy seeds.
Further on, I came across a notice to walkers, to skirt a field instead of the 'impracticable' wood and gully right of way. I did but - note to farmer - nice surface equals compliant walker. Last, Highfield Lane, a gentle finish.
DIRECTIONS
When in doubt look at the map. Check your position at each point. Keep straight on unless otherwise directed.
1. From pub, pass phone box, right fork at Memorial Cross, ten yards, right to path (signed), downhill. Right fork up bank at gully, 100 yards, fieldgate into field and left by fence (waymark, above wood).
2. Fieldgate into wood, track downhill for about 150 yards (to end of craggy section on right), step up right-hand bank to path (small fallen tree). This narrow path contours then rises gently (fence about 50 yards above), then curves up to pair of old concrete gate posts near wood edge then 20 yards (watch out for wire at ankle level) to old wooden gate at edge.
3. Left to grassy track, 150 yards, track straight into wood (not right, track keeps near wood edge, ignore right fork at crossroads after pheasant pen).
4. Viewpoint (vertical clearing), 20 yards then at sharp right bend the PROW should be at roughly one o'clock through plantation, then right to track, 100 yards, right to Hallgate Lane (track). If PROW unavailable (only passable path led into plantation then stopped) use short private track after right hand-bend (conifers on left, field on right) and rejoin PROW (near wooden 'private path' sign) when turning right at T- junction with Hallgate Lane (track).
5. Continue till sharp left-hand bend. (Route option - stay on track, i.e. round bend, right at T-junction). Otherwise, stile (next to fieldgate, signed), fieldedge path by fence, gap in hedge, cross three fields (two stiles), stile into trees then stay by hedge, fieldgate on left and immediately right to path between hedge and fence.
6. Stile and immediately fieldgate on left, stile (to cricket pitch), stile and right to tarmac track, road into Gillamoor, right and back to church.
7. Path into trees (signed). Ignore right forks downhill.
8. Where path meets field, right to field-edge path by wood - farmer's request, but use field if electric fence is on and too close for comfort, PROW through trees difficult. At end of wood, route option - track downhill for 200 yards for look at gully.
9. Cross field, gap in hedge and left to road back to Gillamoor (verge) or PROW at ten o'clock to reservoir and road.
FACT FILE
Distance: four miles Time: two hours
Start: Gillamoor Right of way: the complete route is along public rights of way or near to those obstructed, and on unofficial 'permissive' paths
Date walked: August 16, 1999
Road route: Gillamoor is three miles north of Kirkbymoorside
Car parking: roadside
Lavatories: none Refreshments: pub and shop
Tourist and public transport information: Helmsley TIC 01437 770173
Map: based on OS Outdoor Leisure 26, North York Moors western area
Terrain: fairly flat Footwear: walking boots
Points of interest: views, Gillamoor and access
Difficulty: moderate (second half of route, easy)
Dogs: suitable for dogs but keep on leads (pheasants) or under close control
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.
PICTURE:St Aidan's Church, Gillamoor
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