The Grey Panthers

On the face of it a very straightforward walk in superb countryside, with much to look at. There are some wonderful views, and charming villages to admire.
There are no especially difficult gradients, and much of the walk uses paths and tracks that are well defined.
However, we found that there were a couple of places where it was possible to take a wrong turning and get somewhat lost. For this reason, care needs to be taken in actually following the map, - preferably a 1 : 25000 scale map.

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 available 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 web site, - just use QUO!!

Start from the car park by St. Gregory's MInster in Kirkdale. Rather than the car park used by those attending church services, if the overflow car park is open use this. (SE67629 85658).
Head for the road that crosses the Hodge Beck. Just past where the road crosses the beck, there is footpath that takes you to the "Hyena's Cave". You may want to visit this.
Continue on the road until you come to the cross roads. Ahead is a field footpath. Follow the footpath to the woodland of Robin Hood's Howl.
Just inside the gate to this woodland is the footpath that takes you over fields to Kirkbymoorside.
In Kirkbymoorside, take the streets / roads to the Market Place. Unless you are familiar with the town, you need to study your map and follow it carefully.
From the Market Place, head for the church.
Take the footpath Northwards that follows the edge of the Churchyard.
Where the footpath leaves the edge of the Churchyard, cross the field in a North Westerly direction heading for Castle Gate.
In Castle Gate take the left footpath into Manor Vale Nature Reserve.
Now follow the well used track first to High Park Farm, and then onto Gillamoor.
In Gillamoor, walk to the church and then just past the church to Surprise View, - a bench that overlooks a view to Lowna Mill and Bridge and the moorland to Blakey Ridge.
Retrace your steps in Gillamoor and follow the road to Fadmoor.
In Fadmoor turn left at the end of the main street, and soon after that turn right into a lane.
A short distance along the lane is a field footpath on your right. This takes you into woodland, and the Sleightholme Dale Road.
Continue Southwards until you come to the finger post that directs you downhill and Westwards.
Follow the track to the Mill at Hold Caldron.
Keeping the Hodge Beck on your right, take the footpath from the Mill back to St. Gregory's Minster.