North-west from Helmsley town centre through Beck Dale and Collier Hag Wood all the way to High Baxton’s Farm. East via Carlton Grange to Riccal Dale Wood then south to Monk Holme Wood by way of Low Tun Way and Rea Garth Farm. Finally south-west back to Helmsley followed by a stroll around the town. A 10-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.
Footpath by the side of Borough Beck just off the B1257 in Helmsley.
The start of the track between Barton Hag Wood and Beckdale East Wood.
Borough Beck flowing through Beck Dale.
Both the track and the beck follow the same route through Collier Hag Wood.
Woodland path just south-west of High Baxton’s Farm.
The route through Ash Dale Plantation between High Baxton’s Farm and Carlton Grange.
A few fallen trees block the path in Riccal Dale Wood but it’s fairly easy to get around them.
The roots of the tall pine trees seem so shallow and it’s hardly surprising that some have toppled over.
The Tabular Hills Walk
The Tabular Hills are an east to west range of hills in the southern region of the North York Moors between Scarborough and Hambleton. The 48-mile walk, which crosses these hills, runs from Scalby Mills to Helmsley and connects the southerly ends of the Cleveland Way national trail.
An ideal and very peaceful resting place at the northern end of Riccal Dale.
The view across Riccal Dale towards the woodland on the valley’s eastern slopes.
Rea Garth Farm, now abandoned.
Helmsley Castle in Helmsley town centre.
