Yorkshire Walks

The weather forecast for today was for another hot humid day this time with the chance of thunderstorms almost anywhere. So we decided on an early start before the day got too hot and before any thunderstorms developed. I met two friends at the Hole-of-Horcum car park (map ref. SE 852936) on the Pickering to Whitby road (A 169) at 9.00am.

Path into the Hole-of-Horcum from the hairpin bend on the A169

The sky was overcast and everywhere was rather hazy. We set off following the road down to the hairpin bend where we climbed over the stile on the left to follow the footpath down into the bowl of the Hole-of-Horcum. It's a spectacular place that I have been to many times before but it always seems well worth coming back.

Low Horcum farmhouse boarded up and disused

Cattle near Low Horcum

We passed Low Horcum all boarded up and apparently disused now. This old farmhouse used to be an outdoor centre but like others on the moors it has closed after the tabloid furore every time there is any accident at such places. Life is not risk free and would be very boring if it was. (Short pause whilst I climb off my soap box)

Path out of the Hole-of-Horcum towards Dundale Griff

Path by Levisham Beck

Signpost to Dundale Pond up Dundale Griff

Footpath up Dundale Griff

Dundale Pond

We continued through the Hole-of-Horcum to Dundale Griff at map ref. SE 838917. Here we turned right to follow the path up Dundale Griff to Dundale Pond. From Dundale Pond we walked along the bridleway northwards to Seavy Pond and then continued round the rim of the Hole-of-Horcum back to the stile on the hairpin bend on the A169. From there we retraced out steps following the road back to the car park.

Left: This plaque describes to origins of Dundale Pond

Emperor moth caterpillar that we saw crossing the path

Bridleway from Dundale Pond back to the Pickering Whitby road

An adder that had been resting in the heather until we disturbed it

The whole route had been about 8.5km and had taken us just over 2 hours to walk. There had been no thunder storms although it did rain for a while as I drove home.

Harebells by the path

Looking towards the car park as we returned on the bridleway to the A169

Map of the route carved into an information board at the Hole-of-Horcum car park