Ampleforth Circular Walk

Walk for June 2015 Ampleforth Circular Walk This walk explores the valley between the southern end of the North York Moors and the Howardian Hills. Although starting and finishing in one of the larger Ryedale villages, most of this walk has the feel of being miles from anywhere. There are fine views of the village and the White Horse of Kilburn. A couple of short, stiff climbs, numerous stiles and a few very boggy patches make this quite a demanding walk. From Slingsby turn right on to the B1257 heading for Helmsley. Ampleforth is situated about 3 miles south west of the B1257 between Oswalkdkirk and Helmsley and is abundantly signposted. Park in the main street in Ampleforth on the roadside between the White Swan and the White Horse pubs. Start –– Ampleforth Village Distance – 4½ miles Duration – 2 – 2½ hours 1. Turn downhill on the road signposted York opposite the village shop. The road is straight as far as the corner where it bends to the right. At the corner turn left, passing down a waymarked ginnel which is situated to the right of the two houses, and emerge beside a children’s play area. Keep straight ahead on the track with the hedge on your right as it passes the football field and enters agricultural land. 2. The path enters a wooded area and becomes quite wet and muddy, bending through the trees and arriving at a bridge over the beck. Pass over the beck and continue on the same path for some 30 yards. 3. At the waymark post turn right on the path marked ‘Colley Broach Road via Redcar House’. Go through the gate then cross the field at 10 o’clock to arrive at a gated bridge then a stile into the next field. Go over the stile then head up the hill through the trees at 2 o’ clock. At the top of the hill Redcar House becomes visible. Head for the gate to the right of the small conifer copse in front of the house. Pass through the gate to reaching a track. Bear right through the large or small gate, both waymarked and follow the ‘Colley Broach Road ½ mile’ sign. Walk along the top of the field with the hedge on your left. There are fine views of Ampleforth to the right, and in the distance the White Horse at Kilburn is prominent. 4. On reaching the road turn right and walk with care down the hill and round the sharp bends. As the road starts to rise, just past the buildings of the former railway on the right, turn right into the field at the waymark ‘Ampleforth via Thorpe Grange’. The stile at the hedge ahead is just to the right of the electricity line. Pass through into the next field and continue with the hedge on your left until a gate on the left opens to a track that heads uphill just to the left of the farm buildings of Thorpe Grange. Join the tarmaced lane that starts to leave the left of the farm. Before reaching the corner, go through the handgate on the right and walk at one o’clock over the field. At the first hedge head at 10 o’clock towards the gate in the hedge that is close to the line of the electric wire. Over the stile into the next field and continue along that path for some distance. After another three stiles you arrive at a road. 5. Turn left and climb the hill, taking care with the traffic. After about 350 yards turn right over a stile into a field and cross the field at 1 o’clock. Go over the stile and descend the thorn enclosed path through the wood (can be very wet and muddy), emerging over a bridge with an unusual exit into the field. Cross the field at 2 o’clock to the gate in the corner, then climb the hill with the hedge on your right. Keep the hedge on your right turning the corner and climb to the next horizon. On entering the next field and starting to descend, head at 10 o’clock to arrive at a stile by a small stream. Go over the stile/s and follow the path round to meet the main road through the village. Turn right and return to your vehicle. Copyright © Geoff Brooks 2015 .

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