Walk 3581 - printer friendly version

Gormire Lake from Sutton Bank National Park Centre Walk

Author - Lou Johnson

Length - 3.4 miles / 5.5 km

Ascent - 800 feet / 242 metres

Grade - easy/mod

Start - OS grid reference SE516831
Lat 54.2410030 + Long -1.2097442
Postcode YO7 2EH (approx. location only)

This short North York Moors walk starts from the National Park Centre at the top of Sutton Bank just off the A170. The route follows a section of the Cleveland Way with some excellent views down to Gormire Lake and across the Vale of York. The route then descends to Gormire Lake and follows a path to almost complete a circuit. The walk continues by climbing up through woodland back to the start. A good sense of direction is needed in places to complete this walk.

There are many parking opportunities at or near the National Park Centre (grid ref. SE516831). I parked in the main car park in front of the visitor centre. After parking walk through the car park to the exit. There is a one-way system in the car park so just follow the arrows to the exit. Turn left leaving the car park and walk as far as some parking ticket machines. Just before the machines, cross the road to follow a path on the other side of the road.

Follow this path to reach another parking area. Turn sharp left and at the next path junction turn left again. This clear path leads to the Cleveland Way (by a sign pointing back to the NP Centre). Turn right onto the Cleveland Way. Continue past a wooden viewing platform raised above the path on your right and continue with glimpses of Gormire Lake down to your left. You reach a 3-way path junction. The return route brings you back to this point. Continue straight ahead on the Cleveland Way. Soon the views are more open to the left and on a clear day you can literally see for miles. Continue on the main path using the left-hand path of the two. You reach a wooden bench on your left. Continue along the Cleveland Way soon walking above Whitestone Cliff, which is visible as you approach. The next landmark is another seat and an information board. Just beyond this you reach another footpath sign (right hand path leads to Dialstone Farm (grid ref. SE507838).

At the next fingerpost leave the Cleveland Way and turn sharp left following the path to Thirlby Bank. This path descends through woods and with careful navigation leads you down towards Southwood Lodge. During the descent the path twists and turns with several smaller paths causing confusion. Just before Southwood Lodge, turn left onto a signed bridleway (grid ref. SE503837). After 200 metres bear right onto a path, which leads you down to the shore of Gormire Lake. (You can shorten the route by continuing ahead on the bridleway.)

Turn right and follow the path along the shore (lake on your left). Walk around the lake, completing three-quarters of a circuit to re-join the bridleway. Two hundred metres after joining the bridleway, turn right up a path into woodland. (if you have taken the short cut, turn left here.) This soon joins another path where you bear right and continue to climb steadily across Sutton Brow to regain the Cleveland Way. Turn right and continue to the road. Go straight across and at a large wooden sign turn left and follow the path back to the start.

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