West from Church Houses across the Farndale valley and up to Shaw Ridge just beyond Rudland Rigg. South by way of minor roads and footpaths to Mitchell Hagg, then on to Penny Holme. East to meet the minor road at Sykes House, then north across Rudland Rigg to West Gill Head before dropping back down into the dale and returning to Church Houses. A 14-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.
The view north over Farndale from Monket House Crags (Farndale West).
Looking west over Bransdale towards Bilsdale East Moor. The transmitting station on Bilsdale West Moor is also just visible on the horizon.
Rich autumnal colours in Bransdale as green turns to brown.
Heading into woodland on the path across Ankness Ridge.
The track south through the woods of Mitchell Hagg.
Mitchell Hagg Wath. A wath is another name for a ford. This one is used to cross Hodge Beck.
Hodge Beck.
Penny Holme, Sleightholme Dale.
Westside Road (Track) across Rudland Rigg.
