Scarborough to Highwood Brow (Wykeham forest)
Distance:
7.9miles, 12.8km
Description:
The leg of the Moor to Sea route with perhaps the greatest variety: fine views, a beautiful valley and enchanting wood not to mention all the attractions of Scarborough. The forest roads are broad, smooth and easy to ride. The only section of the route that requires extra care is the steep tarmac hill out of Wrench Green, though if you have to push it is not far!
TIME:
Allow 1.5 to 2.5 hours
DIRECTIONS: SCARBOROUGH TO HIGHWOOD BROW (WYKEHAM FOREST)
Turn L out of the railway station and, after 200m at the traffic lights, turn R down West Parade Rd. Pass to the L of the Safeway petrol station and skirt to the L of the car park. At the back of the car park continue down a marked cycle path to the L of the playground, underneath a bridge and down an alley beside an all weather sports pitch. You are now on the rail trail cycle path.
Pass under two bridges and, just after the third, turn L up a path. Turn L where the path emerges onto Woodland Avenue and then immediately R onto Woodland Ravine. At junction with A171 turn R along a short length of cycle path past St Catherines Hospice and then R again down Scalby Road. At the end continue straight onwards through metal barriers to another junction with the A171. Cross straight over and down Lady Ediths Drive to pass Yorkshire Coast College of Further & Higher Education, Raincliffe School and Throxenby Mere.
Shortly after Raincliffe Farm at a small car park turn, L through a gate and up a steep bridleway into the woods. Follow it up round two bends after which another bridleway joins from the L. Continue straight on passing through Raincliffe Meadows.
After about another mile the bridleway emerges from the woods at a car park.
Join the road and turn L then immediately R passing the Hazel Head picnic site. Go over Mowthorpe Bridge and through Everley then L signed Wrench Green. Go over a bridge, R at the t-junction and L in front of The Old Chapel up a long steep hill. At top of hill the road becomes a forest road.
At a junction with two turns to the L and one to the R take the R turn. At a fork in roads stay on the road that follows round to the L. to the Highwood Brow Viewpoint.
DIRECTIONS: HIGHWOOD BROW (WYKEHAM FOREST) TO SCARBOROUGH
At the Highwood Brow viewpoint continue eastwards along the forest road. At a junction, take the first road to the L and begin a sharp descent. Hold on tight as you enter Wrench Green as there are humps on the road which are hard to spot if approaching at speed! Pass through the village turning L (and not down the dead-end) and over a bridge.
Turn R at t-junction, past The Everley Hotel and over Mowthorpe Bridge. Just after the Hazel Head picnic site turn L and soon after R at a small car park and into the woods along the bridleway. After passing over a stream with a single wooden barrier fork R and soon after enter Raincliffe Meadow. At the next fork turn L down the lower and broader of the two tracks. Follow it round to the L to reach the road at a small car park.
Turn R and pass by Throxenby Mere, Raincliffe School and the Yorkshire Coast College of Further & Higher Education. At a junction with the A171, cross over and then, beside the sign for Scarborough, turn L up a path, thorough metal barriers and R onto Scalby Road. At another junction with the A171, take the cycle path on the L past St Catherines Hospice and then almost immediately L down Woodland Ravine. Just before a mini-roundabout turn L down Woodland Avenue and then follow a path to the R to join the rail trail cycle path.
Turn R on the trail and underneath the road you have just departed. Pass under three bridges and along a narrow alley beside an all-weather sports pitch. Emerging at the Gladstone Road Play Area take the marked cycle path to the R and skirt round the Safeway car park and to the R of the petrol station to the main road via West Parade Road. Turn L at the traffic lights. The route ends at the railway station, 200m along on the R.
FACILITIES:
All facilities available in Scarborough
Everley Hotel at Everley
Picnic sites at Throxenby Mere, within Raincliffe Woods, Hazel Head and Highwood Brow
