The Wainstones from Chop Gate, a circular walk

A circular walk passing through farmland, onto the open moors and up to the ridge with the dramatic Wainstones. Return via the peaceful hamlet of Urra, passing the farm at Bilsdale Hall. Good refreshments in the Buck in at Chop Gate.

Technical sheet

2016250
A Bilsdale Midcable walk posted on 28/04/19 by Alwayswiththehills. Last update : 11/07/22
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 11.88 km
  • ◔
    Calculated time: 4h 30 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: Yes
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 373 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 373 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 385 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 159 m

Description

Park at the village hall car park south of the Chop Gate village. Toilets are available here.

(S) From the parking head north, pass the Buck Inn and walk until the first intersection on your left.

(1) Turn left and immediately right to take a track behind the buildings. Walk up the track, through fields and then onto the moorland. The track can be muddy in places. It will join another track coming in from the left.

(2) At the junction, carry on north until another track crosses in a west to east direction.

(3) Carry on northwards again to a junction with a smaller path.

(4) Take the smaller path on your right and downhill. You will arrive at a junction with the Lyke Wake Walk / Cleveland Way.

(5) Turn right and follow the Lyke Wake Walk path, passing through two walls and then follow the path that ascends through the rocky outcrop of the Wainstones.

(6) At the summit, follow the path east along the top of the moor to the summit of White Hill, where it turns in a southwesterly direction.

(7) Continue along the rim of the moor and then descend towards a good forest track. You will arrive at a finger post. Continue straight on (Cleveland Way) to meet and cross the main road from B1257

(8) After crossing the road, leave the main path and turn right onto a minor road/track.

(9) When the road turns left and heads uphill, go straight ahead on the footpath. This can be a bit overgrown in summer. It leads to the farm but before the farm climb over a stile into a field, cross this to the far corner and climb over another stile to the junction with the road.

(10) Walk along the road verge (no path) for a short distance to the road on the left.

(11) Turn left and walk uphill to Urra Farm, keep on walking through Urra, past a church and the farm at Bilsdale Hall. The road then descends past some houses on the right to join the main road again.

(12) Cross to the other side of the main road, turn left and walk back to the Village hall and car park; stopping at the Buck Inn for refreshments if necessary.

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 159 m - The village hall car park
  2. 1 : km 0.49 - alt. 176 m - First intersection
  3. 2 : km 2.55 - alt. 378 m - Junction
  4. 3 : km 3.27 - alt. 369 m
  5. 4 : km 3.94 - alt. 376 m - Smaller path
  6. 5 : km 4.48 - alt. 317 m - Junction with Like Wake Walk path
  7. 6 : km 4.97 - alt. 351 m
  8. 7 : km 5.8 - alt. 377 m - Summit
  9. 8 : km 6.62 - alt. 264 m
  10. 9 : km 7.2 - alt. 221 m
  11. 10 : km 7.43 - alt. 215 m
  12. 11 : km 7.78 - alt. 206 m
  13. 12 : km 10.79 - alt. 167 m
  14. S/E : km 11.88 - alt. 159 m - The village hall car park

Useful Information

It can be exposed on the open moorland, even in the summer months so make sure you have a wind proof layer with you. It can also be muddy underfoot so boots are recommended.

Once started there is no place for refreshments until you get back to Chop Gate where the Buck Inn is welcoming.

It can be overgrown with nettles in some places in the summer.

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

4.3 / 5
Based on 3 reviews

Clarity of route description
4.3 / 5
Clarity of route map
4.3 / 5
Walk interest
4.3 / 5
Alwayswiththehills
Alwayswiththehills

Thanks for the feedback, I have amended Point 7 to make it clearer and added a warning about nettles.

Mickb45
Mickb45

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of walk : 08/07/22
Clarity of route description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Walk interest : ★★★☆☆ Average

A lovely walk, not too strenuous even though there are a few inclines to navigate, but good moor views and a good stop off to rest at the half-way point of the Wainstones..

We walked this during summer so the overgrowth was quite long (and nettle bound) as mentioned in point 9, so would be best to stick to the road for that section.

I would though make a prescriptive change to point 7. Near the bottom of the track there is a signpost indicating Great Broughton (to the left) and the Cleveland Way (straight on) - keep to the Cleveland way. We took the left as the planner mentioned Great Broughton - this meandered a little further down the hill but still exited on the road. It actually worked out well as there was a mobile cafe in the car park where we exited, but it did throw us for a while until we regained our bearings.

runner
runner

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : 11/07/20
Clarity of route description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Walk interest : ★★★★★ Very good

I ran this route, or pretty much this route, with a couple of alterations. It's a fabulous jaunt out, with spectacular views on a clear day. Strenuous, yes, but worth every step.
It is probably a different experience on a wild, wet day, and probably trickier to navigate too in different conditions, but a top day out when the weather is kind.

psspenceley1958
psspenceley1958

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : 14/06/19
Clarity of route description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Walk interest : ★★★★★ Very good

This is a lovely walk with fantastic panoramic views of the moors and dales. I live in the area but never get tired of the views or take them for granted. It's an interesting walk and not too difficult with a little bit of ascent and descent. The return journey has a couple of miles road walking but it's a quiet road and you still get the views. The pub at the end is worth the wait and does great food, has a good selection of beers and is also dog and biker friendly. I highly recommend this walk.

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