North from Spiers House in Cropton Forest to Muffles Rigg, then east via High Muffles to Stape Road. North-east to Wardle Rigg followed by a descent into Newton Dale, then south through the valley to visit Levisham Station. Finally west back to Spiers House via Peat Road, Keldy Castle and Sutherland Lodge. A 15-mile walk in the North York Moors.


The best map to use on this walk is the Ordnance Survey map of the North York Moors Eastern Area, reference OS Explorer OL27, 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.

Mauley Cross, a medieval wayside cross on Brown Howe Road in Cropton Forest, about ¾ of a mile north of Stape. Wayside crosses are one of several types of Christian cross erected mainly between the 9th and 15th centuries. In addition to serving the function of reiterating and reinforcing the Christian faith amongst those who passed, wayside crosses often fulfilled a role as waymarkers, especially in difficult and otherwise unmarked terrain. Over 350 wayside crosses are known nationally, concentrated in south-west England but a small group can be found on the North York Moors. Mauley Cross is in good condition and although weathered its survival as a single piece of stone is remarkable.


Crossroads in Cropton Forest. My route is straight on through the trees in the direction of Hut Slack, which takes me down into the Newton Dale valley.


The Raindale Beck valley between Stape Road and Newton Dale.


Peat Road (Track) which forms part of the Tabular Hills Walk, a 48-mile long distance trail between Helmsley and Scalby Mills near Scarborough.