South from the car park at the top of Birk Brow onto Stanghow Moor, then south-east using the Quakers’ Causeway and Smeathorns Road to White Cross on Three Howes Rigg. East along a track to Gerrick Moor, followed by a trek south across Danby Low Moor on Siss Cross Road (Path). Further south into Danby, west on the Esk Valley Walk to Castleton, then north-west via Box Hall to Commondale. Back to Birk Brow by way of paths and tracks across Skelderskew Moor and High Moor. A 15-mile walk in the North York Moors.
Recommended Ordnance Survey Map
The best map to use on this walk is the Ordnance Survey map of the North York Moors Western Area, reference OS Explorer OL26, scale 1:25,000. It clearly displays footpaths, rights of way, open access land and vegetation on the ground, making it ideal for walking, running and hiking. The map can be purchased from Amazon in either a standard, paper version or a weatherproof, laminated version, as shown below.
Woodhill Gill as seen from Woodhill Gill Head, with Teesside in the far distance.
The view north-west from Woodhill Gill Head.
The stone path, known as the Quakers’ Causeway, across Stanghow Moor.
The view north across Tomgate Moor towards Freebrough Hill.
Tomgate Moor and Freebrough Hill, with the North Sea just visible on the horizon.
Danby Dale comes into view as I head south across Danby Low Moor on Siss Cross Road (Path).
The view of Danby Dale from Rosedale Intake, with Castleton Rigg on the horizon.
The Pannierman’s Causeway (Path).
Wind turbine near Rosedale Intake.
The view east from the Esk Valley Walk towards the village of Danby.
The River Esk meandering through Esk Dale.
The village of Castleton as seen from the Esk Valley Walk just west of Danby.
A gap in the trees at Danby Park reveals a view of High Castleton.
The Esk Valley Walk through Danby Park.
The houses of High Castleton perched on the hillside.
Looking down into the Commondale Beck valley west of Castleton.
The Esk Valley Railway between Commondale and Castleton.
Thunderbush Moor.
Heading back to Birk Brow on the Quakers’ Causeway.
