Route: Esk Valley
Area: North Yorkshire
Date of walk: 24th February 2017
Walkers: Andrew and Gilly
Distance: 6.0 miles
Ascent: 1,000 feet
Weather: cloudy with sunny intervals
The Esk Valley is one of the most beautiful dales in the country, running from Westerdale on the west to Whitby on the east, and carrying the River Esk to the sea. It’s a while since we were last here and a return visit was long overdue
We parked at Beggar’s Bridge near Glaisdale and joined a path through East Arnecliff Wood – part of the long distance Esk Valley Walk. After emerging from the wood we walked along a quiet lane into Egton Bridge
After crossing the railway line we walked uphill through farmland, with superb retrospective views into the valley, enhanced by blue skies and attractive cloud formations. After passing through Westonby Farm we had to replan our route, since the footpath ahead was a complete quagmire. Knee deep mud made the route inaccessible, and with no apparent way of circumventing it we decided to return to the start via Bank Lane. This wasn’t an issue as it’s a quiet lane carrying very little traffic
It was an excellent walk in unspolit surroundings and we hope to return to the area soon
Click on the icon below for the route map (subscribers to OS Maps can view detailed maps of the route, visualise it in aerial 3D, and download the GPX file. Non-subscribers will see a base map)
Scroll down – or click on any photo to enlarge it and you can then view as a slideshow
The start of the walk from Beggar’s Bridge, which is Grade II listed and a ‘packhorse bridge’, designed with low parapets so that horses with laden panniers could cross
There are several bridges within a small radius - this is the railway bridge over the River Esk
Another bridge, which we cross to enter into East Arnecliff Wood
We follow Monks’ Trod - an ancient pathway paved with stone slabs
After emerging from the wood we follow the route of the C2C walk, which we completed about 15 years ago. Happy memories
Smith’s Lane, leading to Egton Bridge - a beautiful section of the walk
Looking back along the hedge-lined lane
We cross a small ford
The Horseshoe Hotel, for anyone in need of refreshments at this stage
A possible short cut into Egton Bridge, but not today
We cross the bridge at the end of the road and turn left into Egton Bridge
St Hedda’s Church
We cross under the railway line with St Hedda’s Church on our left
A quick detour to the station platform…
We pass through Lelum Hall Farm and turn right uphill at the fingerpost ahead
Spring Wood
Looking back to Lelum Hall Farm
Beyond Spring Wood we continue the gentle climb uphill
Looking back into Eskdale…
We follow the lane past Egton Mortuary Chapel, built on the site of the ancient St Hilda’s Church
We follow a narrow path down into Laverick Dale
Crossing Laverick Dale Beck
Looking back after the short climb up Laverick Dale
The knee deep mud section mentioned in the introduction…
…and the alternative route which we opted for
Eskdale
The road passes through Egton Banks Farm
Glaisdale
We arrive at the bank of the River Esk again
…and back to Beggar’s Bridge at the end of the walk
Next day we stopped off at Birdwatcher’s car park in Forge Valley, a great place to see a variety of woodland birds at close quarters, using the car as a hide
Nuthatch
Notice its tongue
Long tailed tit
Marsh tit or Willow tit - so alike that they were thought to be the same species. Identification is very difficult. If forced to choose I would say ‘Marsh’, which has a shiny head
