Social climber

We start at Bank Foot and climb the bank, 400 feet in a third of a mile, as immediate a route I know from the flat lands to the tops. As you ascend broken tarmac degrades to loose stone. The track curves, takes an energy-saving line, and anyway you will want to stop at the top for the viewpoint marked on the OS map. North lies Teesside the far side of the vast Stokesley Plain, east and west the Cleveland Hills and the Moors.

Now phase two, three straight and easy miles into the heather. We are on the medieval 'Stoxley' to 'Hemsley' road, such antique spelling is on a 1757 stone signpost. Incidentally this post had money left on it, I'd guess by tradition rich traveller for poor, 11p in coppers.

Despite the road's importance there was little traffic, a few with boots, a few with bikes, thankfully no 4x4s, though I have to confess to doing the crossing a few times in a 2CV in my irresponsible youth, before the modern erosion onslaught.

There's a shallow sandstone quarry for road repairs, the walking surface is good, probably in authentic condition.

As I gently climbed, the moors were lovely, the occasional colour of flowering bell heather, the promise next month of glorious purple. Rays of sunshine spotlit bits of the lowlands, sometimes Teesside's chimneys - on a night walk these are spectacular. A pair of kestrels kept the grouse quiet but I didn't see any merlins though perhaps heard the plaintive cry of the other fashionable bird hereabouts, namely the golden plover.

We march on past black peaty ponds and more special old stones. A couple of these stand together - Jenny Bradley is medieval (her name derived from breadless as in beggar), and her large 1768 companion marks estate boundaries. You will notice from the map, and probably notice on the ground (at a rare gate), that we pass very close to the 'incline' part of our return route. People obviously shortcut. It is hard to say if this is legal from the rare example of a Bransdale Moor Open Access Area Map that is on route.

It's better to go on to Bloworth Crossing, my favourite junction on the moors. Here I munched my sandwich and watched a sheep carefully and daintily nibble flowerheads off thistles.

The place is admirable. The 'road' continues south past the tree shrouded northern end of shy Bransdale. We take the wonderful railway track-bed that used to transport the ironstone from Rosedale to the iron masters of Middlesbrough. In those days the town was described by Gladstone as 'the infant Hercules'. The track-bed is ours for the rest of the route.

On we go and soon comes our third phase, the 1861 railway incline, a mile of one in seven, easy unless you have dodgy knees.

Our fourth and last phase is effortless, just press cruise control and enjoy the pleasant pram-smooth unmetalled private road with good verges, orchids and tart cherries included. One side is steep forestry and crags, the other is pretty pasture interspersed with little old woods.

Directions

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

1. Pass farm, lane uphill, fieldgate. Tarmac gets rougher and lane turns

to stony track, fieldgate.

2. Track swings right.

3. At tracks crossroads where track crosses disused railway line, turn right (signed Cleveland Way) and stay on disused railwayline track (note Cleveland Way leaves our route), down incline then along private road.

Fact file

Distance: Nearly seven miles.

Time: Three hours.

Start: Bank Foot, a mile east of Ingleby Greenhow. Grid Ref 593062.

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

Date walked: Saturday, July 15, 2000.

Road route: From Stokesley, take Great Ayton road and turn off for Ingleby Greenhow.

Car parking: Verge.

Lavatories: None.

Refreshments: Inn at Ingleby Greenhow.

Tourist and public transport information: The Moors Centre, Danby Tel: 01287 660540.

Map: Based on OS Outdoor Leisure 26, North York Moors western area.

Terrain: Quite flat but for steep climb and steep descent.

Footwear: Walking boots.

Points of interest: Views, moor, standing stones, old road and old railwayline.

Difficulty: Moderate.

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. While every effort is made to provide accurate information, walkers set out at their own risk.