Route: Forge Valley to Hackness
Area: North Yorkshire
Date of walk: 3rd November 2016
Walkers: Andrew
Distance: 5.4 miles
Weather: Dull and insipid, some weak sun towards the end
Gilly dropped me off in the village of West Ayton, just before a path which leads out of the village and past Ayton Castle. After passing the castle I walked downhill to join another path on the bank of the River Derwent – the river would be my constant companion until the end of the walk
Before long I entered into Forge Valley Woods, a National Nature Reserve. A wooden boardwalk follows the riverside, and along it are various viewing platforms and seats. Most of the autumn foliage had fallen by now but it was still a lovely section of the walk
At the end of the woods there’s a choice of paths, one higher and the other lower and closer to the Derwent. Whichever one is chosen there is some boggy ground to negotiate and walking boots are bound to become clogged with thick mud at any time of year. I took the lower path along the valley today, eventually arriving at the quiet village of Wrench Green
When I arrived at the footbridge I decided to make a quick ‘there and back’ diversion along the riverbank to photograph the attractive old stone barns opposite the cottages in Hackness. After returning to the bridge I walked through Hackness to Derwent View, which marked the end of the walk for me – anyone not staying at the cottage could park elsewhere in the village
It’s a shame that the skies were overcast and dull most of the time and that this is reflected in the photos that follow…
For other walks here, visit my Find Walks page and enter the name in the ‘Search site’ box
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)
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The start of the walk in West Ayton as I follow the sign to Forge Valley
At the end of the lane I leave the village to walk through the fields ahead
The ruined tower of Ayton Castle, dating back to 1410
I follow the narrower of the two paths in order to reach the bank of the River Derwent, which runs along the line of trees
Ruston Cliff Wood
The boardwalk section through Forge Valley Wood, which runs for about 1 mile
There’s a wealth of wildlife to be seen in this area including trout, otter, kingfisher and numerous woodland birds
All too soon it’s time to climb out of the woods
Heading along the valley towards Hackness
The alternative higher level path runs past North Stile Cottage top left
Looking across the valley to the Everley Country House Café
I decide to leave the boggy path below and climb up to the dry track leading away from North Stile Cottage
Suffield Heights
Cockrah Foot
Looking back along the valley
I walk past Cockrah Foot Cottage…
…and then through Wrench Green Farm
Small pond at Wrench Green
The way to Hackness is over the footbridge, but I decide to walk along the riverbank for a while and will return to the bridge a little later
Chapman Banks Wood
The first of three old barns along this section of the river…
…the second, in front of Coomb Hill…
…and the third
I retrace my steps, cross the footbridge, and walk into Hackness
Journey’s end - Derwent View
