11.0 miles
Explorer Map No 299 (Ripon and Boroughbridge)
Most of this walk is over agriucltural land, using field footpaths
that have been diverted in a couple of cases. Because of this
it very much helps to have an up-to-date 1 : 25,000 map to hand
so that field patterns can be identified and followed.
There are no gradients of any note, though there are several stiles
and some rather awkward gates.
On a sunny day the scenery is highly rewarding, but even on a
cloudy day there is much to see and enjoy.
For a Memory Map overlay of the walk described, please select the
above link.
(Overlay made with Version 5 of Memory
Map)
Some new mapping software is now availabe which you may want to try, - QUO mapping. You can download the software for free from the link below, complete with demonstration maps. Having installed QUO, you can import and export Memory Map overlays. Thus YOU DON'T NEED Memory Map to use any of the overlays provided on the Grey Panthers website, - just use QUO!!
Park in the street in Crayke that runs between the Church
and the Durham Ox pub (SE560 705).
Take the footpath found in the North East corner of St. Cuthbert's
churchyard. This leads to an open field, where the footpath heads
for a gate in the top North West corner.
Basically follow footpath markers to head North to Close House Farm,
watching out for any footpath diversions that may have been put in
place.
From Close House Farm take the footpath North until you come to the
minor road, cross the road and continue Northwards on the footpath
towards Oulston.
In Oulston, take the road South.
Just past a very attractive cottage on your left, the Foss Way to
Easingwold is indicated on the right hand side of the road.
Follow the waymarks past Low Buildings, along the edge of a field
alongside The Kyle (a drainage ditch).
Continue on the signposted footpath and farm track past Thornton Lodge
Farm.
You pass a fishing pond and a fishing lodge, and the farm track emerges
at a minor road near Peep O'Day Farm.
Turn left and follow the road until you come to a T-junction.
Here turn right, and follow the minor road for about 200 yards.
The footpath across the field at Mill Stiles is indicated by a signpost,
and follows a course almost due South. (AS the field had been newly
ploughed, we detoured round the edge of the field).
Follow the footpath signs to Millfield Land, and into Easingwold.
When you meet the road in Easingwold, turn left the right and follow
the road into the centre of the village (the Market Place).
Turn left down the road in front of the Galtres Centre, and follow
this road until you come to Crabmill Lane.
At the end of Crabmill Lane the footpath takes you Southwards to the
Stillington Road.
Head East along the Stillington Road. Care is needed as this is a
somewaht busy road.
Past the house "The Westerlies", and almost opposite West
Lane Farm, the field footpath takes you almost due North back to Crayke.