North Yorkshire Moors - Goathland

26th June 2010- Goathland - Beck Hole - Mallyan Spout - Roman Road -Goathland

Pathfinder Guide North York Moors

Walk # 25 - 8 Miles - 5 Hours

Max Altitude 738Ft, Total Ascents/Descents 2,050Ft,2,045ft.

The hearty breakfast at Barker Stakes farm was taken in a large conservatory area which was ideal for the purpose. There was a fridge to help yourself to cold juices, cereals, fruit and a choice of cooked breakfast items with toast, tea. coffee etc...... A good start to the day.

We drove to Goathland, about 30 minutes drive and parked in the main pay and display which was £2.20 all day.

Our route took us out of the car park (though a quick look at the village was in order as it was used as the set for the series "Heartbeat", complete with old style police car!)

We headed off on this sunny Saturday morning around 10:30 and followed a grassy path signed "Grosmont Rail Trail" part of the original Whitby - Pickering railway built by George Stephenson. After about a mile or so, we headed off the planned route to visit Beck Hole, and stopped at the pub near to the stone bridge shown below. It was early-ish into the walk but we decided upon some liquid refreshment. The pub bar was very small and served through a hatch in the neighbouring local shop. We sat outside for a while, had a look at the bridge, and after finishing our drinks headed back onto the route.

The route took us through a narrow wooded valley which in parts was quite hard, slow going as it was VERY rocky. I would NOT attempt this walk in or after rain as it would be both very slippery on the rocks and muddy.

This goes on for about a mile and a half before the Mallyan Spout waterfall is reached. This was a splendid 70ft drop and can be seen in the pictures below, though would no doubt be even more impressive had it not been so dry for so long recently.

We stopped for a short while before continuing along the rocky banks of the beck for about another mile (slow going still!)

Eventually we came out of the woodland and crossed a bridge and crossed several field edges with splendid open views across the valley. After another half mile we came to the Roman road, apparently one of the best preserved and most impressive stretches in Britain. Its culverts and parallel ditches are clearly visible across the heathery hillside. It was believed to be a moorland route from the fort at Malton to the North Sea coast and was built in AD 80.

We followed the roadway across Wheeldale Moor the track becoming less discernible as the roadway gave way to grassy and then heather covered tracks.

A crossing at Wheeldale Beck via stepping stones led onto moorland with even lesser sheep tracks, but the point to "aim" for is a prominent cairn as you ascend to the top of the moor.
A ridge is then followed with excellent views for about a mile before descending onto grassier pathways and the road back into Goathland.

Our Walk Score: 8/10 (A good varied walk, but slow going over rocky section)

We had a much welcomed ice cream in Goathland (very good ice cream here, recommended!!) and headed back to Barker Stakes Farm to enjoy the late sun and a drink or two (and eats) sat outside the apartment.