North York Moors Walk
Farndale Circular from Little Blakey
Maps | |||
Ordnance Survey Explorer OL26 | Sheet Map | 1:25k | BUY |
Anquet OS Explorer OL26 | Digital Map | 1:25k | BUY |
Ordnance Survey Landranger 94 | Sheet Map | 1:50k | BUY |
Anquet OS Landranger 94 | Digital Map | 1:50k | BUY |
It is recommended you take a map. The preferred scale is 1:25k. |
Walk Route Description

This is one of the simplest walks to follow in the North York Moors National Park but gives spectacular views of Farndale, Westerdale and Rosedale. Apart from the initial crossing of Farndale it is also relatively level - so the hard work all comes at the start and subsequently it is just a lengthy stroll across the moors.
From the car park at Little Blakey (grid ref SE683989), which is just past the Lion Inn, take the road opposite down to Church Houses. Turn right when you enter the village, then left around the Feversham Arms Inn and take the road opposite its rear door down towards the River Dove. Carry on uphill to Daleside Road, turn right at the top (on what appears to be another Daleside Road) then take the track off on the left opposite Monket House (grid ref SE660972).
Carry on uphill on the track for about 2 km until there are views over into Bransdale ahead of you. At the intersection of tracks turn right on the Westside Road track and follow it northwards past the disused quarry on your right. After 4.75 km you arrive at Bloworth Crossing with a Cleveland Way sign showing the CW routes off to the left and straight ahead.
Take the old Battersby to Rosedale Head railway line off on the right and follow it around the north of Farndale Head and the south of Westerdale Head. The walk back from Bloworth Crossing to the parking at Blakey is just over 9 km of easy walking with great views of both the Farndale and Westerdale valleys.
Other walks nearby
Walk 1674 Rosedale Valley circular from Little Blakey - moderate - 11.0 miles/17.9 km
Walk 1921 Spaunton Moor from Chimney Bank - easy/mod - 8.1 miles/13.2 km
Walk 2077 Glaisdale Moor circular - moderate - 11.9 miles/19.3 km
Walk 1542 The Rudland Ridge - moderate - 10.1 miles/16.4 km
Walk 3187 Esklets and Rosedale Head from Westerdale - moderate - 11.0 miles/17.9 km
Walk 2029 Lastingham & Rosedale from Hutton-le-Hole - moderate - 12.0 miles/19.5 km
Walk 1538 Baysdale circular from Hob Hole - moderate - 9.5 miles/15.4 km
Walk 1450 Little & Great Fryup Dales from Duck Bridge - moderate - 8.3 miles/13.4 km
Walk 3398 Rollgate Bank & Aumery Park from Fadmoor - moderate - 11.0 miles/17.9 km
Walk 3737 Commondale & Esk Valley from Danby - easy/mod - 8.2 miles/13.3 km
Recommended Books & eBooks
Trail and Fell Running in the Yorkshire Dales
Guidebook to 40 of the best trail and fell runs in the Yorkshire Dales National Park. Ranging from 5 to 24 miles, the graded runs start from bases such as Ribblehead, Dent, Sedbergh, Malham and Grassington and take in the region's diverse delights, from castles and waterfalls to iconic mountains such as Whernside, Ingleborough and Pen Y Ghent.
More information
The North York Moors
This guidebook describes 50 circular day walking routes in the North York Moors. The moors offer no great height but cover seven regions; the Tabular Hills, Hambleton Hills, Cleveland Hills, Northern Moors, High Moors, Eastern Moors and Cleveland Coast. There is also a four-day route following the classic Lyke Wake Walk.
More information
Navigation
This pocket handbook to navigation will help you master the necessary map and compass skills for mountain walking. Chapters include map scales, symbols and contours, grid references, map reading, bearings, route planning and night and bad-weather navigation, as well as navigating with a GPS.
More information