Route: Levisham Moor and the Hole of Horcum
Area: North York Moors
Date of walk: 30th August 2015
Walkers: Andrew Gilly and Fiona
Distance: 7.8 miles
Weather: Gradually weakening sun, very warm
We parked in the Saltergate car park above Horcum Wood on the A169 and after crossing the busy road we followed the path along the scarp edge and joined a path across open moorland. The heather was in full bloom and it was a wonderful sight
After walking across Levisham Moor we made a diversion at Dundale Pond in order to visit the ruins of Skelton Tower. From here there is a superb view along Newtondale and over the track of the North Yorkshire Moors Railway. Thanks to lucky timing we saw one of the old steam trains below as it travelled towards Pickering
We retraced our steps to the pond and followed the path down Dundale Griff to the Hole of Horcum – a spectacular amphitheatre 400 feet deep and half a mile across, also known as the ‘Devil’s Punchbowl’
After walking along the bottom of the valley we climbed up to the top of the escarpment and rejoined our original path back to the start
For other walks here, visit my Find Walks page and enter the name in the ‘Search site’ box
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We were staying at Derwent View Hackness and earlier that morning I visited nearby Birdwatcher’s car park in Forge Valley
Nuthatch
Coal tit
Later that morning, the information board at Saltergate as we set off on our walk
Looking down into the Hole of Horcum - we’ll be returning that way later
We walk along the edge of the escarpment towards Levisham Moor
The path down to the Hole of Horcum is to the left, but we continue onto the moorland
Horness Griff
Levisham Moor…
Happy sisters-in-law
We arrive at a crossroads on Dundale Rigg. Turning left here would shorten the walk, but we take a diversion
Dundale Pond
The object of our diversion - Skelton Tower - comes into view on the left
Honey bee
Ruins of Skelton Tower, built around 1830 and once used as overnight lodgings after a day’s shooting on the moors
Princess Fiona in the tower
We have our picnic by the tower, which commands a wonderful view down into Newton Dale
Newton Dale
Just as we’d hoped, a steam train passes below us, operated by North Yorkshire Moors Railway
Zooming in on train No. 76079, built 1957
Tortoiseshell, one of the many butterflies we saw on the way back from our very worthwhile diversion
Peacock
We follow the course of Dundale Griff…
Heading towards Horcum Slack
Horcum Slack
Low Horcum, population zero
Beyond Low Horcum we start the climb out of the Hole of Horcum
Looking back
As we emerge onto the top of the escarpment there’s a view of RAF Fylingdales Early Warning Station
A last look down into the Hole before we arrive back at the car
Time for another quick diversion on the way back - the Fox & Rabbit at nearby Lockton
A perfect end to a great walk
During the day the weather had been rather dull and insipid - this amazing sunset later on was a complete surprise
Photos taken from the garden of Derwent View Hackness, where we were staying
