South-east from Commondale to Castleton via Foul Green and Box Hall, then east along the Esk Valley Walk to Danby. South through Ainthorpe and up onto Danby Rigg before dropping into Danby Dale to join a minor road at Danby Botton. North through the dale, again on the Esk Valley Walk, back to Castleton, and finally north-west to Commondale by way of Scale Foot and Thornhill Farm. A 13-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.
Looking south-east down into the Commondale Beck valley from Foul Green, Commondale. The Esk Valley Railway is just visible.
Llamas on Foul Green Farm, Commondale.
The Esk Valley Railway between Commondale and Castleton.
The view of High Castleton from the Esk Valley Walk at Danby Park.
Danby Methodist Church, built in 1811, and the Victoria Jubilee School, added in 1887 to celebrate Queen Victoria’s 50th year on the thrown.
The Esk Valley Railway at Danby.
Esk Dale and, in the background, Danby Low Moor, as seen from Low Coombs Farm just south of Ainthorpe.
The view of Danby, Esk Dale and Danby Low Moor from the standing stone on Ainthorpe Rigg.
Great views of Little Fryup Dale from Ainthorpe Rigg.
Looking down on the village of Botton near the head of Danby Dale. Botton is one of nine Camphill Village Trust communities across England which provide homes for people with learning disabilities.
The Old Smithy at Danby Botton.
Wesleyan Chapel at Danby Botton.
A beautiful peacock butterfly by the side of the path in Danby Dale.
A wooden footbridge carries the Esk Valley Walk across a boggy section of land near Plum Tree Farm.
Looking down into Esk Dale from High Castleton.
Millennium bench on Commondale village green.
War memorial on Commondale village green.
St Peter’s Church, Commondale.
