Dalby Forest Walk from Thornton-le-Dale to the Dalby Forest Visitor Centre
On Thursday, Angy and I set off on a fantastic walk through Dalby Forest in the North York Moors, starting from the lovely village of Thornton-le-Dale. The weather was perfect, making it an ideal day out. We began from the village car park and soon found ourselves strolling past a peaceful duck pond, crossing a little stream, and reaching the village green. The village was full of charm, with its quaint shops, cosy cafes, and beautiful old almshouses.
We followed a footpath along Thornton Beck, passing the picture-perfect Beck Isle Cottage, which has to be one of the most photographed cottages in the country. Our route took us to the historic St Hilda’s Church at Ellerburn. The paths through the countryside and alongside the streams were incredibly peaceful.
Entering Dalby Forest, we followed a track through lush woodlands, crossed a grassy meadow, and walked by High Dalby House. We took a break at the Dalby Forest Visitor Centre for a coffee, enjoying the forest atmosphere before continuing on our way.
Heading back towards Thornton Dale, our path took us past Ellers Wood. We climbed an uphill path to Outgang Lane, which led us back to the village outskirts. Before finishing our walk, we took a moment to admire All Saints Church. The final stretch brought us back to the car park, wrapping up our memorable 10-mile trek through the stunning North York Moors.
If you’re looking for a relaxing day out, this route is a must!
Visit https://www.paulbeal.com/dalby-forest-walk
Experience the Blakey Ridge Walk in the North York Moors
Explore this exciting new walk on my website! Experience the stunning countryside of Rosedale with my Blakey Ridge walk. Beginning from the Lion Inn car park, this 8-mile circular route offers a perfect blend of North York Moors beauty and historical charm.
As always, I’ve included directions to guide you through every step of the journey. Along the path, you’ll encounter picturesque farmland, quaint hamlets, and breathtaking views from the Rosedale Railway.
On the page, you’ll find photographs capturing each stage of the walk, so you know what to expect. So lace up your walking boots and experience the Blakey Ridge walk.
Visit https://www.paulbeal.com/blakey-ridge-walk
Four Amazing Routes to the Summit of Helvellyn
Helvellyn, at around 950 metres, is the 3rd highest peak in the Lake District. My website features guides for four different routes to the summit, complete with maps, statistics, and photos to help you plan your hike. Hopefully, you’ll find all the information you need for an enjoyable and memorable experience.
Helvellyn from Patterdale
This 11-mile adventure via Striding Edge offers spectacular views and a challenging yet rewarding ascent to Helvellyn’s summit. Along the way, you’ll encounter the brilliant Red Tarn and enjoy breathtaking vistas of the surrounding Lake District fells.
Visit https://www.paulbeal.com/helvellyn-via-striding-edge
Helvellyn from Legburthwaite
This route spans 11 miles and features a steep ascent to Sticks Pass followed by a magnificent ridge walk over multiple peaks. The descent via Birk Side offers stunning views of Thirlmere Reservoir and concludes with a peaceful woodland path.
Visit https://www.paulbeal.com/helvellyn-circular-walk
Helvellyn from Glenridding
For a slightly more gradual ascent, this 12-mile hike avoids the more exposed Striding and Swirral Edges, making it ideal for those preferring a less daunting route. The path includes scenic stretches alongside Glenridding Beck and offers expansive views throughout.
Visit https://www.paulbeal.com/helvellyn-walk-from-glenridding
Helvellyn from Thirlmere
Beginning at Swirls Car Park, this 7-mile walk presents a quieter but rather steep route to Helvellyn’s summit, away from the busier paths. Enjoy impressive views of Thirlmere Reservoir, a challenging but rewarding ascent, and picturesque landscapes on the way down.
Visit https://www.paulbeal.com/helvellyn-walk-from-thirlmere
A New Walking Route Featuring the Little Hill with Expansive Views
I’ve just added a new page featuring the Hawnby Hill walk in the stunning North York Moors. Explore this delightful nine-mile circular walk with my comprehensive guide.
The page includes a detailed route description, interactive maps, and tools. Plus key statistics such as distance, duration, and ascent. And as usual, some photos from along the trail so you know what to expect.
Discover breathtaking panoramic views, a charming village, and diverse landscapes. Oh, and I should mention a muddy path or two in wet weather!
Check it out now and get ready for your next adventure!
Visit https://www.paulbeal.com/hawnby-hill
Exploring Gormire Lake, Boltby Village, and Sutton Bank in the North York Moors National Park
Featuring Sutton Bank, one of the North York Moors’ most popular spots, this walk offers enchanting woodland and lakeside trails, a charming village, and breathtaking views.
Start your adventure with a scenic route around Gormire Lake. Wander through peaceful woodlands and soak in the beauty of the lake, nestled below Whitestone Cliff.
Next, explore the delightful village of Boltby. In my opinion, Boltby is one of the most picturesque villages in the North York Moors. Take a break at the village hall for a cuppa and read all about the village and its rich history.
After a climb out of the valley, the main highlight awaits: the return along the Cleveland Way. Enjoy a spectacular 3-mile walk back. Marvel at the panoramic views of Tees Valley and the Vale of Mowbray as you walk above Boltby Scar, Whitestone Cliff, and Sutton Brow. Look down to Gormire Lake, where you began your journey. On a clear day, you can even see the Yorkshire Dales in the distance!
Visit https://www.paulbeal.com/gormire-lake-walk
Exploring the North York Moors on a Baysdale Abbey Walk
Fancy a fantastic walk in the North York Moors? This Baysdale Abbey walk is a 12-mile circular route that’s perfect for anyone who loves beautiful landscapes and a good workout.
Start your adventure at Hob Hole, where there’s plenty of parking. It’s just a short distance west of Castleton. From here, you’ll head out across Kildale Moor, with the picturesque Baysdale valley stretching out below.
Along the way, you’ll come across the peaceful site of Baysdale Abbey. Although the original 13th-century Cistercian abbey is no longer standing, it’s still a great place to take a break and enjoy the countryside.
Continue on to the Cleveland Way. Walking across Battersby Moor, you’ll be treated to stunning views over the Tees Valley and the Vale of Mowbray. On clear days, you can see the distant hills and mountains of the Yorkshire Dales.
On the return journey, you’ll traverse Baysdale Moor, crossing charming ravines and following scenic paths. The changing scenery keeps things interesting and makes for a truly rewarding walk.
Finish back at Hob Hole, having enjoyed a brilliant day in the peaceful countryside of the North York Moors.
Visit https://www.paulbeal.com/baysdale-abbey
Discovering Woodlands and Dales on a Scenic Helmsley Walk in the North York Moors
Discover one of my favourite local routes! Starting in the charming town centre of Helmsley, this walk takes you through serene woodlands, open fields, and picturesque dales. It’s a route that I do quite regularly and always enjoy. Perfect for anyone looking to explore the natural beauty of the North York Moors.
Visit https://www.paulbeal.com/helmsley-walk
Exploring Historic Railway Lines and Quaint Stations on the Grosmont Walk
Just to let you know, I’ve enhanced and rewritten the webpage for one of my favourite walks in the North York Moors!
Discover scenic views, historic railway lines, and charming stations as you explore this beautiful 9-mile circular route. Whether you’re a seasoned walker or just looking for a delightful day out, this walk offers something for everyone.
Check out the updated page for detailed route info, historical insights, and my top tips.
Visit https://www.paulbeal.com/grosmont-walk
Reaching Helvellyn Via Striding Edge and Visiting Nethermost Pike and Dollywaggon Pike
On Saturday, my friends Sandra, Jeff, and I visited the Lake District to tackle the Helvellyn via Striding Edge walk, with stops at both Nethermost Pike and Dollywaggon Pike. What a day it was! The weather was fantastic, providing excellent visibility throughout our journey.
We started in Patterdale and began by climbing the southern slopes of Birkhouse Moor to reach the junction of paths at Hole-in-the-Wall. From there, we embarked on the exhilarating trek across Striding Edge and up to the summit of Helvellyn.
After reaching Helvellyn, we headed south to Nethermost Pike, then continued to High Crag, and finally on to Dollywaggon Pike to complete the high part of the walk. We then descended to Grisedale Tarn and took a long north-east traverse through the Grisedale valley. By the time we got back to Patterdale, we were quite exhausted. However, the experience was incredibly enjoyable and rewarding, especially with the stunning views afforded by the clear weather.
During the walk, I took 62 photos, which I have included on the website page along with descriptions. These should give you a good idea of what to expect if you decide to embark on this walk and are fortunate enough to have a clear day like we did.
Visit https://www.paulbeal.com/helvellyn-via-striding-edge
The Ard Crags Walk for Stunning Views of Crummock Water and Buttermere
I’m thrilled to announce that I have just rewritten and republished the details of the stunning Ard Crags walk on my website!
This 8-mile circular walk in the Lake District is perfect for those who crave breathtaking views and a bit of adventure. Here’s a sneak peek at the journey:
- Start in the charming village of Little Town, nestled in the beautiful Newlands Beck valley. Cross Chapel Bridge and head west along a minor road, passing the quaint Newlands Church.
- Veer south-west towards Low High Snab, following the picturesque path through the valley alongside Scope Beck.
- Pause at a serene reservoir near the head of the valley – the ideal spot for a coffee break.
- Embark on a south-westerly climb to the summit of Robinson for incredible views.
- Descend the western slopes, traverse Buttermere Moss, and reach High Snockrigg for stunning vistas over Crummock Water and Buttermere.
- Visit the Moss Force waterfall near Newlands Hause before a steep climb to Knott Rigg.
- Continue south-east along the ridge to Ard Crags, enjoying panoramic views into the valleys on either side.
- Finish your adventure by descending to Aikin Knott and wandering back through the charming farms to the start.
Ready to explore? Head over to my site to check out the full guide and plan your next adventure.
Visit https://www.paulbeal.com/ard-crags-walk
Exploring Grasmoor A Top Choice Among the Lake District Fells
I reckon I’ve got a good idea of the six most well-known fells in the Lake District: Scafell Pike, Helvellyn, Skiddaw, Great Gable, Blencathra, and Coniston Old Man. These names pop up a lot whenever there’s a chat about which Lake District mountains people have scaled or are aiming to conquer. And rightly so—they’re brilliant peaks, each with their own unique quirks and challenges.
Yes, they’re lofty and all offer sweeping views of the Lake District’s mountains, valleys, and lakes. Climbing them can be tough, but it’s always rewarding. However, there are plenty of other grand fells in the Lake District that, in my opinion, match or even surpass these in terms of the views they offer. One of my favourites is Grasmoor.
If you’re after some of the most stunning vistas the Lake District has to offer, along with a thrilling climb, let me share a route my friends and I tackled a couple of years back. We kicked off from a car park on the eastern shores of Crummock Water and took the path along Liza Beck through the scenic Gasgale Gill. This lovely valley is dotted with charming waterfalls, and the trail occasionally calls for some mild scrambling over tricky spots.
After about two miles, we reached Coledale Hause, a saddle nestled between Sand Hill and Crag Hill, which offers a fantastic lookout east across the Coledale Beck valley. Following a brief pause at Coledale Hause, we began our ascent up the grassy slopes to reach the summit of Grasmoor, home to some of the finest views in the Lake District.
The descent was just as delightful, taking us across Whiteless Edge to Whiteless Pike, with striking views down to Crummock Water and Buttermere. We wrapped up our 8½-mile trek by following Squat Beck through the valley beneath Rannerdale Knotts. It’s a route that offers a blend of captivating views and a bit of a challenge, making for an unforgettable day in the hills on a clear day.
Visit https://www.paulbeal.com/grasmoor-walk
A Guide to Understanding Wind Speeds on the Mountains
During a recent walk along the Pennine Way, my friends and I discussed the impact of wind speeds while crossing the Yorkshire Dales and Lake District mountains. To better understand this, I’ve conducted some research and compiled a straightforward guide on how different wind speeds can affect our walks.
Less Than 20 Miles per Hour
At this wind speed, the effect on walking is negligible and will not cause you any problems.
20-30 Miles per Hour
These winds are unlikely to affect your balance and may only be a slight inconvenience.
30-40 Miles per Hour
At this range, winds start to affect the balance of a strong adult.
40-50 Miles per Hour
Walking becomes arduous. You will need to lean into the wind, and your energy output will significantly increase. There is a risk of being blown off balance.
50-60 Miles per Hour
Walking becomes challenging and exhausting. Move between gusts and brace yourself when a gust arrives. Leave the mountain by the easiest and safest route, staying well away from exposed edges.
60-70 Miles per Hour
Attempting to walk in these wind speeds is dangerous, with a high risk of being blown over and suffering injuries. Avoid difficult underfoot conditions or exposed edges and leave the mountain as soon as possible.
70+ Miles per Hour
Extreme danger is present at these wind speeds. If you are caught out in winds of 70 mph or more, proceed with the wind on your back, avoid exposed edges, and link arms. You may even need to crawl to cross particularly exposed sections.
Highly Rated Osprey Hiking Backpacks for Outdoor Enthusiasts
Osprey’s reputation for crafting high-quality hiking backpacks is well-established, offering a range of options that cater to both men and women. The following four backpacks stand out for their excellent sales and customer ratings on Amazon, making them a top choice for outdoor enthusiasts seeking reliability and comfort. As an Amazon affiliate, I may earn a small commission from any purchases made through the links provided. This helps support the upkeep of this website. Rest assured, you won’t pay a penny extra, but your purchase will contribute to keeping my site running smoothly. Happy walking!
Osprey Tempest 20 Women’s Hiking Backpack
The Tempest 20 stands out as the ideal solution for day-hiking, biking, or peak-bagging, tailored specifically for women. It features a panel-loading design for ease of access, complemented by an internal zippered mesh pocket with a key clip for secure storage. Unique to this model are the Stow-on-the-Go trekking pole and LidLock bike helmet attachments, enhancing its versatility. Side stretch mesh pockets, along with an easy-access, expandable stretch mesh harness pocket, offer ample storage. Additionally, it includes a blinker light attachment (light not included) and a large stretch mesh front panel pocket for extra carrying capacity.
Osprey Talon 22 Men’s Hiking Backpack
Designed for the active adventurer, the Talon 22 provides an optimal panel-loading design suitable for day-hiking, biking, or peak-bagging. Key features include dual-zippered panel access to the main compartment and a tuck-away ice ax attachment with a bungee tie-off. It boasts a top panel zippered slash pocket for quick access items and lower side compression straps for load management. An external hydration reservoir sleeve and dual-zippered fabric hipbelt pockets enhance hydration and storage, while a large stretch mesh front panel pocket increases its utility for various activities.
Osprey Tempest 30 Women’s Hiking Backpack
The Tempest 30, designed with a women’s-specific fit, is a streamlined top-loader ideal for both extensive day trips and light-and-fast overnight adventures. It includes a fixed top lid with an external zippered slash pocket and an under-lid zippered mesh pocket with a key clip for organised storage. The pack features a tuck-away ice ax attachment with a bungee tie-off, dual upper and lower side compression straps for load adjustment, and an external hydration reservoir sleeve. For added convenience, it offers an easy-access, expandable stretch mesh harness pocket and dual-zippered fabric hip-belt pockets.
Osprey Talon 33 Men’s Hiking Backpack
The Talon 33 is engineered for dynamic movement, making it the perfect streamlined top-loader for committed day trips or light-and-fast overnight excursions. It features top load access to the main compartment for easy packing and retrieval. The backpack is equipped with a large stretch mesh front panel pocket, Stow-on-the-Go trekking pole attachment, and stretch mesh side pockets for versatile storage options. Additionally, an easy-access, expandable stretch mesh harness pocket and dual-zippered fabric hip-belt pockets offer convenient storage solutions for essential gear.