West from Hob Hole through Baysdale using the bridleway on the north side of Baysdale Beck, then south-west to Baysdale Abbey. Further west to meet the Cleveland Way on Battersby Moor, followed by a trek south to Burton Howe. Over to Armouth Wath via Middle Head Top and The Flagged Road, before heading north across Baysdale Moor. Back to Hob Hole by way of Great Hograh Moor and Little Hograh Moor. A 12-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 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 moorland path through Baysdale, on the north side of Baysdale Beck.


The view south-west into the Baysdale valley, with the Cleveland Hills in the background.


Heading west through Baysdale, on the north side of Baysdale Beck. I love the contrasting colours of the purple heather on the right and the green bracken on the left.


Old barns in Baysdale, now in a poor state of repair.


The view south-west towards the head of the Baysdale valley.


Baysdale Abbey, now holiday properties which lie on the site of a 12th-century Cistercian abbey.


Baysdale Farm (right), with Baysdale Abbey in the distance at the head of the beautiful secluded valley.


The view north-west from Battersby Moor towards Great Ayton and Teesside.


Looking north from the Cleveland Way on Battersby Moor. On the horizon, left of centre, the distinctive half-cone summit of Roseberry Topping is just visible. The high point right of centre is Highcliff Nab which overlooks my home town of Guisborough.


The Cleveland Way, leading south across the Cleveland Hills to Bloworth Crossing.


The Cleveland Way

A 109-mile national trail around the western, northern and eastern edges of the North York Moors. Officially opened in 1969, it can be walked in either direction and links the towns of Helmsley and Filey.

The trail is very much a walk of two halves: an inland section across moorland between Helmsley and Saltburn, and a coastal section along cliff tops between Saltburn and Filey.


Looking down towards Greenhow Botton, enclosed on three sides by the Cleveland Hills.


The Cleveland Way.


The view north-west from Ingleby Moor over the Tees Valley lowlands.


The view west from Ingleby Moor over the Vale of Mowbray.


Armouth Wath at the bottom of The Flagged Road (Track).


The track across Baysdale Moor.


A lovely sheltered resting place on Great Hograh Moor, in a small ravine created by Great Hograh Beck.


Beautiful colour combinations created by the moorlands, farmlands and woodlands of the North York Moors.


The view of Westerdale from Little Hograh Moor.


Westerdale, which is both a valley and a small village. The village is just visible behind the trees in the centre of the picture.


John Breckon Road across Little Hograh Moor.


Almost back! Hob Hole is just at the bottom of the road.


Footbridge across Baysdale Beck at Hob Hole.