NORTH YORK MOORS - Hutton-le-Hole

As featured in the March 2016 issue of Country Walking Magazine

Hutton, Gillamoor and Shepherd's Nab

A walk for all seasons, but especially so in Autumn with the bracken turning golden brown, adding colour to the scene.

Heading south of Hutton the route follows green lanes and tracks past Lingmoor Farm back to the main road, The route plunges into the secret valley of Douthwaite Dale where there was formerly a mill at Yoadwath on the River Dove. Once up the other side its easy going to Gillamoor with its unusual sundial, an interesting church, and 'surprise view'. After re-crossing the Dove its on across fields and moorland back to Hutton-le-Hole with an optional detour up onto Shepherds Nab.

Fact File

Distance	12.5km/8 miles
Time	4 hours
Grade	** Moderate
Map	OS Explorer OL26 North York Moors (West)
Parking	Pay car parking at Hutton-le-Hole. Grid Ref: SE 705 901
Start	Hutton-le-Hole
Terrain	Walking mostly on field and woodland paths and tracks - it can be muddy in places with a couple of steady ups and downs, but nothing too strenuous. A mix of farmland, woodland and moor, together with the picturesque villages of Hutton and Gillamoor to explore.
nearest Town	Kirkbymoorside
Refreshments	Pub and cafés in Hutton-le-Hole; pub in Gillamoor
Public Toilets	Hutton-le-Hole car-park
Public Transport	Buses: Moorsbus services on summer Sundays & Bank Holidays. Otherwise only Ryedale Community Transport 'Shopper' buses 174 (Mondays to/from Pickering & Kirkbymoorside) and 176 (Wednesdays to/from Malton & Kirkbymoorside) one journey each way
Suitable for	all
Stiles	4

Route created using TrackLogs Digital Mapping

Image reproduced with kind permission of Ordnance Survey and Ordnance Survey of Northern Ireland.

1. (Start) Hutton-le-Hole is a fascinating place, but save any exploring until the finish. Set off south through the village, and just after crossing the pretty beck, take a track off to the left. Keep to the track (bridleway) that curves round below Austin Head, then bear right through a gate climbing steadily up through trees. As a green lane, the path continues skirting farmland across this upland plateau. When you are in sight of Lingmoor Farm, the direct approach isn't a right-of-way. Turn left keeping to the bridleway, then in about 200m, as you begin to descend look out for a footpath on the right. Take this path along the side of a field under trees to reach Lingmoor Farm.

2. (2.8km/ 1¾ miles) Here cross the track you could see earlier to skirt the farm and join the farm road. Walk down the road into woodland to a bridge over Hutton Beck. As the road climbs from the bridge look out for a track into the woods on your right. Turn along this track and follow it up through the woods round to the main road. Walk along the roadside crossing when safe to do so to a Veterinary Practice building and follow the track behind the building. There are various paths and tracks in this area of access land. Continue along the top until you spot a path heading diagonally right down into the valley through scrubby undergrowth. Head down this path to emerge on at lane at the bottom. Walk past a few cottages and cross the River Dove by a footbridge near a weir just upstream of the former Yoadwath water mill.

3. (4.7km/ 3 miles) You now face a climb up the lane out of the dale. About 100m up the hill, look out for a footpath sign on the right. Follow this path up through the trees to the top. Emerging into the open, there is no indication of the path but bearing right a track skirts round this overgrown area to a minor road. Turn right along this road known as 'Back o' Parks Road'. Now the route becomes straightforward - following this track for about 2.5km all the way to Gillamoor. For the purpose of this walk, ignore other bridleways and footpaths, and keep to the lane which soon loses its metalled surface, becoming a tractor track serving this upland plateau. The track turns left (where a footpath to Gillamoor goes straight on but would involve crossing 6 fields!) and then right, becoming a metalled lane once more. After passing the playing fields you come to the green in Gillamoor and the Royal Oak pub, making this a convenient spot for a break.

4. (8.8km/5½ miles) Walk through the village passing an unusual sundial on your left, to reach St Aiden's Church at the north end of the village. Here it's worth continuing along the road for a few yards to 'Surprise View' where you can survey the panorama across the river valley towards Farndale and the Moors. After taking in the view retrace steps and turn down the path below the church. This path bears left and descends the bank below Surprise View to join a track. Go right here for a few yards then left down the track towards Mill Farm. Leave the track for the footpath that skirts to the left of the buildings and crosses the former mill stream and the River Dove by footbridges. Note that there may be cattle here.

5. (10.0km/ 6¼ miles) From Mill Farm the path hugs the field edge up towards Grouse Hall, but then crosses a stile in the hedge. Continue due east diagonally across two fields below Grouse Hall to find a footbridge over a ditch in corner. Steps then bring you up to a track where you turn left. A little further, where the track bears left, continue ahead across moorland, with Shepherds Nab rising to the right. The path is reasonably clear, but the ground can be boggy so pick your way carefully. As you pass below Shepherd's Nab this 'peak' looks very tempting. It is all access land, so if you have time, strike off to the right - there is a clear track up through the bracken. At the top you discover that it's not a 'peak' at all, but the end of narrow ridge between two valleys. However there is a great view north across the moors. Retrace your steps from the top, but bear right to join the footpath near trees at a wall corner. From here a footpath goes along the edge of fields to emerge on the road at Hutton-le-Hole. Walk into this picturesque village, which is always bustling. Here there's a pub, tearoom, museum and more - just the place to end your walk. (12.5km/8 miles)

   Along the Way

   Don’t miss 'Surprise View' at Gillamoor, the views from Shepherds Nab, and if time permits, the Ryedale Folk Museum in Hutton-le-Hole.

   Arnold Underwood & Caroline Gowthorpe (Oct 2015) (Minor updates April 2016)