There is no better way to enjoy the North York Moors than getting out into the countryside.
We decided to head out for walk up on the moors and found what looked like a good ramble on OS Maps of approximately 10 miles. The walk called the Rudland Rigg Walk started from the small hamlet of Low Mill, north of Kirbymoorside.
Trig Point at 376 metres on Rudland Rigg
The Rudland Rigg Circular Walk
The walking route takes you into the Farndale Nature Reserve and all along the lovely River Dove. This walk is a real delight during the daffodil season, though you are not allowed to pick them however. The river takes past the Daffy Café and towards the hamlet of Church Houses. The Feversham Arms is a good stop en-route here too.
Moorland at Rudland Rigg
The route then heads uphill from the river past a welcome picnic / coffee bench up onto the moors and to Rudland Rigg, an old drovers route. We saw plenty of striking red grouse spring out from the heather along here. There was an organised shoot nearby but they were after pheasant as it was not grouse season until the glorious 12th August.
Head along the wide path to Golden Heights and enjoy the 360 degree views around you, past the OS trig point at 376 metres above sea level. After about 2-3 miles the trail drops down from the high moorland before crossing back over the road across Harland Beck onto Harland Moor. This has lovely views back down looking into Farndale. Here we saw a lovely sight, a white barn owl in flight over the moorland. We stopped to watch for a minute or two before it settled down in a nearby tree. Quite an unexpected treat.
White Barn Owl – North York Moors
Heading down the hillside track took us back into the trees then down to the hamlet of Low Mill. Back to car in the free car park opposite the little shop.
Bank Top Kilns – Rosedale Chimney
Venturing up Rosedale Chimney
Before we ventured out on foot we enjoyed a meandering car journey to the start point of our walk. This took us via Rosedale Abbey (there is no abbey here though), up Rosedale Chimney Bank which is one of the steepest roads in Yorkshire peaking at 33% or one in three in old money. It is often closed during winter and it is not hard to see why! Stop at the top to enjoy the views down the valley then walk up to the Bank Top Kilns. Here there are the old remains of the calcining kilns and birthplace of the Rosedale ironstone industry.
Hutton Le Hole – North York Moors
Villages of Hutton-le Hole & Lastingham Pub Dinner
This spectacular road took us across to Hutton-le-Hole. This very pretty village with a gurgling stream meandering through it. It is home to a couple of tearooms, the Crown pub, ice-cream shops, and the fascinating Ryedale Folk Museum.
Our journey home after took us to the delightful warm and cosy Blacksmith Arms at Lastingham opposite St Mary’s Church. The old impressive Norman church is famous for its atmospheric eleventh-century crypt. Visitors can see where Anglo-Saxon monk, Cedd of Lindisfarne (later St Cedd), was laid to rest in 664. Our evening meal at The Blacksmith Arms was exceptional and we were made to feel very welcome. It was a tough choice between the Roast Belly Pork with Garlic Mash and the Pan Fried Duck Breast in Orange & Cointreau Sauce!
Blacksmiths Arms at Lastingham
Then it was back to our holiday home and put our weary feet up after a lovely day out in the North York Moors.
Crossing the River Dove – North York Moors
Overdale Cottage Holiday Home
Overdale Cottage is a cosy semi-detached, pet friendly cottage, sitting in the pretty little village of Harome. It is just three miles from the market town of Helmsley. Sited on the edge of the North York Moors National Park it is the perfect base for exploring the Yorkshire moors, the pretty villages and wonderful countryside!
Additional Information:
- Helmsley Castle, Duncombe Park & Fairy Steps Circular Walk
- Lovely Local Walks around Harome – Explore the Countryside
- Nature and Wildlife in the North York Moors
- Interactive Guest Map of the Local Area to Helmsley Hideaway
Walk Details – Link to OS Maps for Map & Route
Rudland Rigg Circular Walk
