Way Upstream

On a soft grey day I thought it would be nice to trace the upper reaches of the River Derwent deep into the great forests west of Scarborough. Nice indeed, the first three miles were a lovely length of autumn woodland stroll.

Here the mighty Derwent was no more than a village beck, a steady flow of ripples and runs, meandering first through pasture scrubby with gorse and broom, patrolled by a heron, and teeming with rabbits.

We parallel the river under oaks and beech. Hazel turn colour leaf by single leaf, alders resist the change of season. Occasionally conifers push down from the valley sides to the water and the light softens, and there are ant heaps the size of sofas.

The path is flat but below the spring line, so there are boggy bits for muddy boots, wet zone rushes and grasses and little ponds.

The texture, colour, scent, sight and sound of birds and water was such a distraction I had no idea how far I had penetrated till the waters forked, and then, in 50 yards, was our bridge. Midday, sandwich time.

I did investigate a further half-mile up the Derwent but there the land is ravaged by the motorbikes of the Scarborough and District Motor Club Ltd. It's depressing, and can't be good for the trees, with soil bare, compacted, and eroded, and roots exposed everywhere.

So for us, after the bridge, it's stepping-stones over the River Derwent then a climb for a while on the Blue Man Walk to pasture.

Pasture in the form of the local landmark, Langdale Rigg. So we climb this. The top is flat and spacious. The public path misses the trig point in the far corner but the farmer has kindly given us permission to visit it. Just here, in the middle of dark forest, you see quite a lot of valley grassland.

Our return is straight, downhill, quick but interesting, surprisingly open, with sight of the complexity of notched valleys, ridges and little hills.

You get a good look down on our outward route and I was surprised to see how narrow in the conifers lay our ribbon of riverside woodland.

I finished down an arched spine of a ridge, village in view, and sloe tree scrub and birch, menacing fly agaric funghi, and a flashing flock of goldcrests.

DIRECTIONS

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

1. Cross road from parking area to stile/fieldgate and riverside path (signed), stile/fieldgate, cross field, stile/fieldgate into wood. Ignore footbridge after half a mile.

2. Less than 100 yards after streams join, footbridge and over Harwood Dale Beck (Blue Man signs useful as far as but excluding Direction No. 4), left, 100 yards, stepping stones/slabs over River Derwent (Blue Man sign on far side) and path/track uphill.

3. Stile on right (Blue Man sign) and 10 o'clock for 200 yards across field to near corner of conifer plantation, uphill and stay by edge of wood (around a left then a right-hand corner).

4. Trig point option. At stile on left into conifers, right across the flat top aiming for fieldgate at 11 o'clock but do not go through it. Instead, angle right for visible trig point. Retrace steps to stile and straight on to track between conifers.

5. Stile/fieldgate into field. Ridge, then grassy path swings left downhill by sloe scrub, 150 yards (to waymarked post), about 100 yards/1 o'clock to field corner (waymarks), right (by fence on right), stile/fieldgate (keep fence to right), stile/fieldgate, stile/fieldgate and left to lane (a dead end), left to road and back to Langdale End.

FACT FILE

Distance: Nearly seven miles.

Time: Three hours.

Start: Langdale bridge, Grid Ref: 943910, quarter of a mile south east of Langdale End hamlet.

Right of way: The complete route is along public rights of way, Forestry Commission permissive paths, and by special permission to the trig point.

Date walked: October 14, 1999.

Road route: From either Snainton or Ayton both on the A170 Pickering to Scarborough road. Approach from west using Dalby Forest Drive toll road.

Parking: Parking area by Langdale bridge, or roadside in village.

Lavatories: None.

Refreshments: Inn (winter opening, Wednesday to Sunday evenings and weekend lunchtimes).

Tourist & public transport info: Pickering TIC 01751 473791

Map: Based on Outdoor Leisure 27, North York Moors eastern area.

Terrain: Valley and ridge.

Footwear: Walking Boots.

Points of interest: River Derwent, woods, forest, trig point views.

Difficulty: Moderate but outward route can be muddy, stepping stones and 400ft climb.

Dogs: Suitable for dogs on leads 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: Langdale End: notched valleys and ridges

No map available at present