The Rudland Ridge

This North York Moors circular walk's main focus is to enjoy the views from Rudland Rigg. This is a quiet part of this National Park and you can almost be guaranteed solitude.

Technical sheet

293003
A Bransdale walk posted on 04/07/16 by Walking Britain. Last update : 23/09/16
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 16.31 km
  • ◔
    Calculated time: 5h 25 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: Yes
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 267 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 267 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 372 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 116 m

Description

(S)The route starts at the parking place at grid ref. SE636946 just past Ousegill Bridge. From there walk northwards up the road - newly rebuilt in 2014 - and after 0.85 mile take the moors track off to the right. As you climb up Shaw Ridge there is a pile of stones from which there are fine views westwards into Bransdale.

(1)Continue northwards to the meeting with the moors track which is the continuation of Monket House Bank track, turn eastwards onto it then turn south after 0.4 miles down Rudland Rigg on the Westside Road moors track. The path stays on top of the Rigg all the way down to the road and there are views westwards into Bransdale and eastwards into Farndale.

(2)Where the track meets the Bransdale Road continue straight on down the Westside Road. This could be an alternative place to start the walk - as there is some space to park near the Nawton Towers Estate information board. After 0.6 mile turn off right on Sleights Road, just before Hope Inn farm. Take the first left down the track to Common House farm then follow the track to the right through the farmyard and along the side of School Plantation.

(3)The path comes out along the side of a house, to your left, in Stonely Woods then you follow the road from the house until it meets Sleightholme Dale road on your left (signposted private road). Continue straight on for 50 yards then angle off right to pass behind Waingate Cottage. The path through the wood is reasonably signed - mainly to inform you to stay out of the property to your left. As you come out of the trees head across the fields towards the house that can be seen down the valley at Penny Holme. There are a series of markers and stile across the fields until you get to the road that bends around to the house. Cross straight over to cut off the corner.

(4)Turn right on the road over the stream and go past the house and up the road that continues up to Otterhills Farm. Cross the Hodge Beck and follow the farm track up the hill keeping the beck below you on the right. The path is signposted off to the right down a sunken track through the trees to a ford/bridge. Cross the Hodge beck then turn off left on a path up to Ankness Ridge.

(5)As you climb the ridge the Hodge Beck valley is down to your right and the Ouse Gill valley is on the left. Go through the Ankness farm yard and keep on the farm track northwards as it heads back to the Bransdale Road. At this point the car parking will be visible in front of you.(E)

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 275 m - Ousegill Bridge car park
  2. 1 : km 2.92 - alt. 371 m - Turn eastwards at junction
  3. 2 : km 8.8 - alt. 239 m - Continue straight on Westside Road
  4. 3 : km 10.43 - alt. 201 m - Continue past house in Stonely Woods
  5. 4 : km 11.71 - alt. 118 m - Turn right on road over stream
  6. 5 : km 13.16 - alt. 134 m - Turn left up Ankness Ridge
  7. S/E : km 16.31 - alt. 275 m - Ousegill Bridge car park

Useful Information

The walk to and then down Rudland Rigg gives views into both Bransdale and Farndale. Taking either of the roads up into Bransdale, either from Pockley or Fadmoor/Gillamoor, starts you on a loop that can only lead to Cockayne at the north of the Bransdale valley so there is a solitude about the valley even though it is close to Helmsley and Kirkbymoorside.

Always stay careful and alert while following a route. Visorando and the author of this walk cannot be held responsible in the event of an accident during this route.

Reviews and comments

4 / 5
Based on 2 reviews

Clarity of route description
4 / 5
Clarity of route map
3.5 / 5
Walk interest
4.5 / 5
Dekkap
Dekkap

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : 18/05/18
Clarity of route description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Walk interest : ★★★★☆ Good

A great varied walk with moorland track, fields, woods & streams,
Only downside was the footpath at Stonely Woods is overgrown with Nettles & Brambles (not ideal when wearing shorts) & down towards Penny Holme which had three fields full of ‘twichy’ cattle with calfs which I realise can not be avoided,
Will definitely do it again though,

Jules w
Jules w

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of walk : 28/03/18
Clarity of route description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Clarity of route map : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Walk interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Lovely walk with great views.

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The GPS track and description are the property of the author.

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