Day 6

Hawnby to Helmsley

16 miles

An excellent breakfast was provided at the Inn at Hawnby and we set off in high spirits.  A long steep ascent took us by Arden Hall to Dale Town Common where we turned right to follow narrow heather paths.  Some of the going was awkward but we made good progress and reached and crossed the old drovers' road of Hambleton Street.

We left the moor and soon arrived at High Paradise Farm where we were sorry to see the cafe did not open on Mondays.  We sat at the cafe tables and enjoyed our own coffee and biscuits.

Leaving Hawnby

The Inn Way sign at Hawnby Bridge

Climbing Coomb Hill

Dropping down to Stoney Gill Hole

High Paradise Farm

We now joined the Cleveland Way path for a while and climbed gently through woodland until we reached the road at Sneck Yate.  After that we walked along the edge of the escarpment for a couple of miles with fabulous views, agreeing that this was one of the nicest stretches of the whole walk.

This guy had no interest in us

Walking through Boltby Forest

Near Sneck Yate on the Cleveland Way

By High Barn

Walking towards the old hill fort and quarry

As we walked along the ridge dark clouds were moving towards us and before we reached Whitestone Cliff the heavens opened and the rest of our walk was in heavy rain.  A shame as we had enjoyed 5.5 days of fine, warm weather and had walked the whole route without even the need of a fleece.

Here comes the rain

Carole gets under cover to get into waterproofs

Enetering Cold Kirby

Where a road-side stall was selling flapjacks - delicious

The next stretch of the walk was through Cold Kirby and Scawton but as the rain became heavier I had to put my camera away in my bag.

After Scawton we dropped down into Nettledale before leaving the road near Bow Bridge and walking across fields to Rievaulx Abbey.

Here we were delighted to find the tea room open and welcoming to two very wet and hungry walkers.  After coffee and a cheese and pickle sandwich we were ready for the final stretch, the last 4 miles to Helmsley.

Inn Way sign at Bow Bridge

Rievaulx Abbey

Turn left at Reivaulx Bridge

Back on the Cleveland Way for the last two miles

Helmsley Castle

Walking into Helmsley, our walk is over

We had a great time and we would certainly recommend this walk.  We used 'Brigantes' to book our accommodation and move our luggage and the service they provided was excellent.  We followed the directions in Mark Reid's book 'The Inn Way to the North York Moors'.

Drop me a line  (huwfoster@yahoo.co.uk)  if you want my GPS track, I'll be happy to send it.

Back to Day 1