Walk 3737 - printer friendly version

Commondale & Esk Valley Walk

Author - Lou Johnson

Length - 8.2 miles / 13.3 km

Ascent - 850 feet / 258 metres

Grade - easy/mod

Start - OS grid reference NZ707086
Lat 54.4678570 + Long -0.9106791
Postcode YO21 2ND (approx. location only)

This North York Moors walk starts from Danby in the Esk Valley. The route climbs onto the moors lying to the north of the village from where there are views south across the National Park. The walk continues to Commondale after which the route follows the railway through Esk Dale back to the start. A short section of the Esk Valley Walk is sued for the final section back to Danby.

The start is the village of Danby where limited roadside parking is available (grid ref. NZ707086). After parking walk north uphill following the road signed to Scaling and Whitby. Reaching the end of the 30-m.p.h. speed restriction, bear half right onto a grassy track (grid ref. NZ707091). Follow the track up to re-join the road. Cross the road and take the path heading north (care required to select the correct path). The path heads over Danby Low Moor aiming to the left of Siss Cross Hill - the highest land on the horizon. Along the way you pass Siss Cross (grid ref. NZ704105).

800 metres beyond Siss Cross you reach a well-defined cross track (grid ref. NZ703113). Turn left and head west for 2.8 kilometres to reach White Cross (grid ref. NZ679108). Go straight across and take the road signed to Commondale. Two kilometres of road walking (grass verge for most of the way) takes you down to a road junction by the Cleveland Inn in the centre of the village. Turn left signed towards the station. Continue down the lane for 400 metres to where the lane forks (grid ref. NZ664102). Bear left and follow the lane which soon becomes a track. The route runs roughly parallel with the railway on your right.

After approx. three kilometres of pleasant walking, you reach a road (grid ref. NZ681087). Keep straight ahead and descend towards Castleton. Just after the name board, turn left at the fingerpost onto a clear path (grid ref. NZ683086). You are now following the Esk Valley Walk. The pleasant path passes through Danby Park and leads to a road (grid ref. NZ702085). Bear left along the road to return to the centre of Danby Village.

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