Harwood going

This week: nearly the most easterly moor of the North York Moors, or rather, once moor and bog, now forest and open access.

However from the car park viewpoint you will see that we have a deep, wide and spacious grassland valley to cross and the skyline trees are for later. The valley isn't ploughed because it's wet; a stream, a pond, and everywhere the cold glint of winter water.

As I pulled on boots and plenty of layers, a horsewoman emerged from the track I had earmarked for my finishing leg. She looked a bit shaken and muttered 'never again'. Too cold to worry, I set off to find my descent, to get it over quickly, and find a warm-up climb, stopping briefly to check the strangely-shaped St Peter's Church.

Toes tingling and human again I was on the up. Spirits lifted by the views south-east, ten miles to Scarborough Castle, proud on its promontory, and a dollop of the North Sea framed by Filey Brigg. Next a desolate zone, felled and recently replanted, tree stumps, scampering stoats, and a sight of heather to the west.

Then we slip into the forest. Try this route without boots and slip will be the operative word because the tracks are vehicle churned.

Nevertheless I made good progress because you can often walk to one side of the goo and the mud, though messy, is not that tacky - not the sort that sticks in quantity and leadens the legs.

You emerge at the Scarborough-to-Whitby road, the sea much closer, and the Falcon Inn. Beer was followed by snow and Harwood Dale Forest again, easier downhill. After this, pasture, short grass and very hungry sheep, about a hundred of which mobbed me, braying for a bite to eat, and I wondered if we ate more of them the remainder would get more nosh. Some of the fields are nice, traditionally managed, and Broadlands Beck is pleasant with holly dominant, honeysuckle green and goat willows dripping catkins.

After six miles you are faced with the car park perched 300 foot above on Reasty Hill Top. It felt more like Beastly Hill because though the track doubles back and contours, the last half is steep and as I followed the hoof prints I could see why the rider I had met earlier was so fazed: the ruts are precipitous.

There are pheasant feeders among the trees but thankfully the hills weren't alive to the sound of gunfire on the day eight thousand gamekeepers nationwide planned to cull pigeons, magpies and jays.

Doubtless pests need controlling, but jays I ask you, beautiful things, nearly wiped out by the Victorians for hat feathers and crucial to the regeneration of oak forest.

DIRECTIONS

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

1. Road downhill from carpark, pass wood on right, stile on right into field, downhill, fieldgate into wood, track, gate, footbridge, gate.

2. Gate and right in field, 100 yards, left, uphill, join track, fieldgate.

3. Right to road, 50 yards, track on left (to Moor Cottage).

4. At right-hand bend before farm straight on to fieldgate into field, fieldgate to track by wood edge.

5. Left at T-junction after felled area, 20 yards, track on right into mature woods, dog-leg across major track.

6. Right to track by main road, cross road to lane and pub, cross field opposite pub, cross main road, stile in fence and round field to stile by gate. (Route option without pub - after lay-by, good track on right with forest gate).

7. Left to good track, cross major junction to muddy track.

8. Right at track T-junction at edge of wood, 25 yards, fieldgate on left into field and straight on, stepping stones over beck, three successive fieldgates, farmyard.

9. Left to road, 100 yards, into yard on right (signed), 50 yards, fieldgate and left (CSS plaque other side of gate), fieldgate, 50 yards then keep hedge/fence to left, fieldgate, one o'clock, fieldgate, one o'clock via telegraph pole in middle of field and down to metal fieldgate/wall stile by holly hedge/ditch.

10. Fieldgate on left and right to lane, track on right at farm entrance (signed Surgate Brow), fieldgate, raised grass track through field, fieldgate and track uphill by hedge.

11. Fieldgate on left at first corner of wood and track inside edge of wood, track on right (20 yards after last field on left), 100 yards before edge of wood - fork left to track uphill back to car park.

FACT FILE

Distance: six and a half miles.

Time: three hours.

Start: Reasty Hill Top. Grid Ref: 965944.

Right of way: the complete route is along public rights of way and in open access.

Date walked: Saturday, February 12, 2000.

Road route: five miles north of Ayton which is on the A170 near Scarborough.

Car parking: North Riding Forest Park car park. Free and large. Lavatories: none.

Refreshments: The Falcon. Tiny 'village shop' in shed at Harwood Dale hamlet.

Tourist and public transport information: Pickering TIC 01751 473791

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

Terrain: forest and vale.

Footwear: boots.

Points of interest: views.

Difficulty: moderate, quite hard going in some places.

Dogs: suitable for dogs but keep on leads or under close control.

Weather forecast: Evening Press and recorded forecast 0891 500 418

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

PICTURE:Graveyard at St Peter's Church, Harwood Dale

Click here to view a map of the walk