Pathfinder Guide North York Moors - Walk #13 Hole Of Horcum (7 Miles, 3hrs, 15 mins)
Max altitude 938Ft, Ascent 1,148Ft, Descent 1164Ft
We set off on a sunny Sunday from Barker Stake Farm a short drive of about 6 miles to the Hole Of Horcum Car Park (Free!!). Setting off walking at 10:15 across the main road and along the edge of the Hole. (View Below)
Ancient folk tales describe its creation due to a giant scooping out the "hole" to make his home in it. In reality the dramatic, deep, smooth-sided ravine was created as a result of erosion by escaping debris laden torrents of meltwater from a great ice blocked lake towards the end of the ice age.
We followed the track across the flat moor giving a good view across it and the purple tinted heather (somewhat dried due to the recent hot weather). This largely follows the rim of Horcum Hole for a couple of miles until fiveways is reached and Dundale pond. We head left here along the path marked Levisham.
It was then further along this path that we saw the sight below of farmers herding sheep from one field to another further along the track. We ambled behind though at one point a straggler escaped and headed towards us. The sheepdog soon intercepted this rogue sheep and it was placed in the cage on the back of the 4x4 bike. Soon the way cleared and we headed into the village of Levisham.
In Levisham we stopped at the Horseshoe Inn taking refreshment outside in the beer garden watching the village life pass by (not much of that -very quiet!)
We finished our drinks and continued through the village. We spoke with another couple heading in the opposite direction. They asked us directions as they had no map or much of anything (no water on such a hot day - madness!!). We did tell them there was a pub nearby which seemed to cheer them up some and gave them brief directions of where we had come from. They told us that the way we were heading was quite hard going.
Heading left took us into woodland with plenty of ups
and downs, and despite the shade of the wood it was very warm.
Later we were to see that it was approaching 30 degs for part of the day.
The wood seemed to go on for several miles before we came out and what was clearly now the bottom of the Hole of Horcum.
The wood seemed to go on for several miles before we came out and what was clearly now the bottom of the Hole of Horcum.
This was greener grassland before giving way to purple heather again and a hike out of the hole ascending upwards along narrow dirt tracks (very dry in the current weather)
Eventually these came out near to our start point the final stile leading onto the rim of the hole once again.
From here it was a short walk to the car park and a much needed cool down in the sanctuary of the car's air conditioning. We finished around 15:30.
Eventually these came out near to our start point the final stile leading onto the rim of the hole once again.
From here it was a short walk to the car park and a much needed cool down in the sanctuary of the car's air conditioning. We finished around 15:30.
Our Walk Score: 6.5/10
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