Langdale End to Hawsker (Trailways)
Distance:
15.1miles, 24.3km
Description:
This challenging section takes you across some of the most remote and least visited areas of the North York Moors National Park. It is exposed in parts, particularly at Stony Leas, the routes highest point at 299m but the three large forests on the route provide some shelter, though be aware that there are no facilities on route. You will need to take extra care through Langdale forest as the road is also used by 4 wheel drive vehicles. Cycle hire is provided in Hawsker at Trailways.
TIME:
Allow 3 - 4 hours
DIRECTIONS: LANGDALE END TO HAWSKER (TRAILWAYS)
Leave the village to the west and take the first fork R. Ignore the turning signed Birch Hall, continue upwards towards and into the forest, watching out for 4 wheel drive vehicles. Follow the route through the forest, and fork L through a gate. Keep going along the forest road for about 2.5 miles ignoring all turnings until you emerge into the open again through a gate at which point turn R to head across the moors.
At a fingerpost towards Lilla Cross to the R continue straight ahead. Beside a trig point go straight over a crossroads of tracks and through a gate heading towards and into Newton House Plantation. Follow the forest road around the L and ignore all turnings until you emerge from the forest via a gate. Continue downhill on a stony track for about 200m all the way to the May Beck picnic site.
Cross over the river at which point the road becomes tarmacked and uphill. At the top of the hill, pass the Low Moor campsite then R at crossroads. After 0.5 mile turn L along Raikes Lane towards Sneatonthorpe. Just before entering the village turn R and past Catwick House Farm. Follow the road round to the L and turn R. Fork L to go down over a ford and into Hawsker. At the main road, keep L and turn L through a gate to join the dismantled railway to the Trailways Cycle Hire Centre.
DIRECTIONS: HAWSKER (TRAILWAYS) TO LANGDALE END
Leave the Trailways cycle hire by way of the dismantled railway. Through the gate at the junction with the A171 do not cross the main road but instead keep R and turn R off the main road into the village of Hawsker. Continue through the village turning R at a t-junction. At the next t-junction turn L, and follow the road round to the R. After Catwick House Farm turn L along Raikes Lake. At a t-junction turn R and then at crossroads turn first L and continue past Low Moor campsite. At the end of a long, gentle descent you reach the May Beck picnic site.
Continue over the bridge and up a stony track. Pass through a gate and enter Newton House Plantation following the route through the forest. When the track leaves the forest continue in the same direction. Pass through a gate and go straight over a crossroads of tracks to reach the top of the hill indicated by a trig point. Continue in the same direction (passing Lilla Cross to the L) to the forest, where the track runs beside the trees for about 200m after which you enter Langdale Forest through a gate on the L.
Follow the route through the forest keeping to the main forest road and, watching out for 4 wheel drive vehicles.
After passing through a gate another forest road joins from the L. Turn R and follow the road round to the L. On leaving the forest the road becomes tarmacked. Continue straight on at first junction signed Birch Hall and then at t-junction turn R to continue to Low Dalby, or L to Langdale End village.
FACILITIES:
Moorcock Inn at Langdale End
Picnic site at May Beck
Cycle hire at Trailways in Hawsker
