Clay Bank via Cockayne circular

(S/E) Turn left out of car park to climb road for 200m.

(1) Turn left to Cleveland way track and follow it to Round Hill Summit way marked throughout.

(2) Follow the Cleveland way to Bloworth Crossing way marked throughout.

(3) Turn right from Bloworth to follow the ridge with Bloworth wood on your right side, you will see a hunting lodge
in a lane leading off to your right 200m passed this you reach Moorland Junction.

(4) Here turn right onto way marked path and follow the well trod path down to the Road and climb the sty.

(5) Take a right on the road, take the side up to the church after crossing the cattle grid. Walk to Breck House and continue on road through two gates to way marked Bridle Path on your right above Colt House farm which is to your left.

(6) Turn right and climbs diagonally to Moor ridge lane. Another hunting lodge is reached at the point you join the lane, this climb out will take around 30 minutes and you will see the hunting lodge as your approaching the lane.

(7) Departing the hunting lodge there is a track heading off left across Slape Wath Moor but keep to the main track on the right to follow the ridge crest, keep to the track at the next junction where another shoots off to the left, here the well defined track swings right, left then right before dropping down to cross Hodge beck and climb back out to a five lane junction, keeping the forest in view to your right.

(8) Taking the first exit to the left at five lane junction, the track climbs directly up to rejoin Cleveland way.

(9) From here, you turn left to retrace your tracks back over round hill summit to the car park via the Cleveland Way. Joining the road from the Cleveland way turn left for the 200m walk to Clay Bank Car Park.(S/E)

Full Hiking equipment required, this is a very exposed area of moorland and weather can change instantly
Underfoot conditions should be good even in wet spells
There is no where to purchase food or drink, you must carry what you consider necessary for a 7 hour walk
There are two hunting Lodges one on the outward ridge and one on the homeward ridge, both will be locked when
not in use, though offer external shelter out of the wind if necessary.
St Nicholas church in Bransdale is normally open, has bench seats outside the wall and inside the grounds
If the doors are locked you could sit in the entrance way for shelter.

This is hunting / shooting territory, you are free to roam but respect the rules, stay on the tracks.

There is a lot of game birds to observe, some hawks may also be seen.
If wilderness is your thing, this may the nearest you can get to it in England
Don't forget to take in St Nicholas church, it is 200 years old and very quaint.