Day 11 - Tuesday 21 June 2016
Ingleby Cross to Blakey Ridge (20.2 miles)
Today was our longest leg at just over 20 miles and coupled with over 4500ft of ascent would be hard work. Of course we had done this leg before in 2012 and yes it is tough but thoroughly enjoyable with lots of interest. We hoped to get a break in the weather today - the sun was supposed to shine but would bring humidity with it.
With a long day of walking ahead we breakfasted early at Park House in company with the other walkers. It was a bit chaotic but we managed to get away on time and thanked Bev for our lovely stay. The B&B is right on the route therefore we headed out of the drive and immediately joined the path that headed south through Arncliffe Wood on a forest track. The track twisted and turned uphill to reach the Cleveland Way which we would now follow until the Bloworth Crossing. Continuing uphill and passing a couple of telecom towers, we reached the summit of Beacon Hill. The route now headed on to Scarth Wood Moor on a delightful path that eventually joined a forest track at a sign for the LWW (Lyke Wake Walk). Continuing through Clain Wood we now had 4 walkers ahead of us who were also on the C2C but who we had never seen before - they were not too interested in making conversation therefore we left them to it and pressed on to Huthwaite Green.
With a long day of walking ahead we breakfasted early at Park House in company with the other walkers. It was a bit chaotic but we managed to get away on time and thanked Bev for our lovely stay. The B&B is right on the route therefore we headed out of the drive and immediately joined the path that headed south through Arncliffe Wood on a forest track. The track twisted and turned uphill to reach the Cleveland Way which we would now follow until the Bloworth Crossing. Continuing uphill and passing a couple of telecom towers, we reached the summit of Beacon Hill. The route now headed on to Scarth Wood Moor on a delightful path that eventually joined a forest track at a sign for the LWW (Lyke Wake Walk). Continuing through Clain Wood we now had 4 walkers ahead of us who were also on the C2C but who we had never seen before - they were not too interested in making conversation therefore we left them to it and pressed on to Huthwaite Green.
Heading through Arncliffe Wood
A superb view over to the flat terrain of yesterday
Beacon Hill Trig Point - it was busy here today!
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On to Scarth Wood Moor continuing along The Cleveland Way
The first part of todays route stretches out before us
As well as The Cleveland Way we were also on the path of the Lyke Wake Walk. The walk is a complete crossing of the North Yorkshire Moors along their main east-west watershed, a distance of approximately 40 miles.
Heading steeply down to leave Scarth Wood Moor
From here the path continued through woodland and ascended very steeply up to a gate that gave access to Live Moor. We bumped into the Kiwis here and after a quick chat started the delightful transit over Live Moor. The path ascends gradually to two huge cairns and at the second we could see Alison & Rob resting up. Leaving the second cairn, we were now on Carlton Moor and continued to climb on a gentle incline to reach the Trig Point & Boundary Stone that marks the summit. The views from the summit were impressive.
Huthwaite Green
Looking back to Scarth Wood Moor
Heading over Live Moor to Carlton Moor
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Angie in 2012 and in 2016 on the right - she hasn't changed much
Looking back over Live Moor from our ascent up on to the summit of Carlton Moor
The ascent of Carlton Moor - great path
The Boundary Stone & Trig Point on the summit of Carlton Moor
It was almost lunchtime as we made the knee jarring descent from the summit of Carlton Moor to Lord Stones Cafe. In 2012 the cafe was closed however it was good to see it had received a very good facelift and was open again. As we entered the cafe we got talking to another Australian couple we had briefly seen yesterday at the Blue Bell pub in Ingleby - this was Russell & Claire. The sun was out now and as a consequence the cafe was extremely busy so much so there was a lot of shouting going on as staff tried to fathom out who ordered what! We had a piece of cake and a cold drink and whilst we were there Alison & Rob came in and joined Russell & Claire and just as we were leaving the Kiwis rolled up.
The knee jarring descent to Lord Stones cafe
Lord Stones Cafe - The Australians Alison & Rob plus Russell & Claire are airing their feet
Good to see it open again but the service needs to improve
We still had a long way to go therefore did not hang around too long. The next milestone was Kirby Bank which was another gradual ascent although to the left is a low route via a bridleway which meets the path further on. Just before the plateau top of Kirby Bank is the Alec Falconer Memorial - not much is known about him however records have it that he lived from 1884 - 1968 and under the pseudonym of "Rambler" was a champion of walkers' interests. From Kirby Bank there was another steep descent on paved steps before another steep ascent followed by yet steeper descending - phew! From the crossroad of paths we could see the next goal of the Wain Stones clearly ahead. The Wain Stones are a large rocky outcrop exhibiting carvings including cup and ring markings dating back to the Bronze Age and these rocks may once have held significant importance to prehistoric locals. After a quick scramble up the rocks we arrived on the flat paved path that runs along the ridge of Hasty Bank.
Whilst looking innocuous enough in walking guides and on maps, the section of the walk from Live Moor to Urra Moor should not be underestimated. It is a tough up and down section and would not be so bad if only travelling from Ingleby to Clay Bank Top or Great Broughton - if, like us you are going all the way to The Lion Inn then be prepared for a superb but tiring day and factor this into your planning.
Whilst looking innocuous enough in walking guides and on maps, the section of the walk from Live Moor to Urra Moor should not be underestimated. It is a tough up and down section and would not be so bad if only travelling from Ingleby to Clay Bank Top or Great Broughton - if, like us you are going all the way to The Lion Inn then be prepared for a superb but tiring day and factor this into your planning.
Heading to Kirby Bank from Lord Stones
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The engravings at the Alec Falconer Memorial on Kirby Bank
The Alec Falconer Memorial Seat
The descent from Kirby Bank as we head for Hasty Bank & The Wain Stones
The Wain Stones
Roseberry Topping from The Wain Stones
Leaving Hasty Bank was another knee jarring, steep section of path down to the road at Clay Bank Top. We had arranged to meet Janet here - we got to know her from a Cocker Group on Facebook. Janet did not live that far away and of course was joined by her Working Cocker Roxy and they accompanied us along the Carr Ridge as far as the summit of Urra Moor. The walking was a lot easier now on a really good path and as we said goodbye to Janet it had just gone 3 o'clock and we still had about 2 and a half hours plus of walking ahead of us - but to be honest we were feeling pretty good. The next milestone of the Bloworth Crossing was eventually reached and it was here we said goodbye to The Cleveland Way and headed along the disused track of the former Rosedale Ironstone Railway.
The descent to Clay Bank Top - extremely steep!
A long way to the Bloworth Crossing
A lovely place to sit above Clay Bank Top looking back along our route
With Janet & Roxy on Urra Moor
The summit of Urra Moor
Just lovely up on Urra Moor today
Can you see a face? A boundary stone on Urra Moor
A superb path as we head for the Bloworth Crossing
The Bloworth Crossing - at long last
The final section of the walk to The Lion Inn is one we have done several times. The track is good and gives superb views over Farndale and as we headed along the path we could see 4 walkers ahead of us - these were the 4 people we had seen at Huthwaite Green and we caught them up at the sign to Castleton when they stopped to rest up. Shortly after this we caught up with a young girl who was going as far as The Lion Inn and we accompanied her the rest of the way - she was playing it by ear and was hoping to walk on to Whitby over the next few days. The railway path continued to weave its way along and we eventually caught sight of the familiar landmark of The Lion Inn although it still seemed a long way distant. Sooner or later it was time to leave the track and head over boggy ground to reach The Cockpit which is a tumulus once used as a hollow for cock fighting.
Somebody has left directions for the Kiwis
The path was as straight as a big straight thing over Farndale Moor
We were here last year - the path coming up from Westerdale
I'd love to see the size of the bloke whose shovel this is
A Farndale panorama
Our first view of The Lion Inn - still a couple of miles distant
The Cockpit - TD stands for Thomas Duncombe, the Landowner
The Lion Inn was just a few yards distant and we entered the pub to find many walkers we hadn't seen for a few days. The next 20 minutes or so was spent chatting to Andrew & Michelle, Chris & Elaine, Zander, Paddy & Pamela plus many others. We found out that Keith who we had met near Shap had to pack it in at Kirkby Stephen due to blisters. Nobody had seen Nicole or Karen for a while and we wondered what had happened to them. After an excellent meal and a few beers we rang Michael at August Guest House in Rosedale who duly collected us and took us the 5 or so miles to the B&B - Russell & Claire were also staying at August Guest House and Michael would pick them up later. We stayed here in 2012 and after a chat and lovely welcome from Mary we showered and settled in for the night - it had been quite a long day but a superb one.
The Lion Inn at Blakey Ridge
Overnight Accommodation
August Guest House, Rosedale - www.augustguesthouse.co.uk
Mary & Michael are lovely people who provide superb value for money. The B&B is located off route in Rosedale, some 7 or so miles from The Lion Inn however Michael provides a complimentary pick up & drop off service from the pub.
Mary & Michael are lovely people who provide superb value for money. The B&B is located off route in Rosedale, some 7 or so miles from The Lion Inn however Michael provides a complimentary pick up & drop off service from the pub.
Day 11 Data
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Mileage
Cumulative Mileage Time Cumulative Time Maximum Ascent Total Ascent Cumulative Ascent |
20.2 miles
164.2 miles 8 hrs 35 min 75 hrs 02 min 1502 feet 4504 feet 33514 feet |