Farndale Circular from Little Blakey

(S)From the car park at Little Blakey (grid ref SE683989), which is just past the Lion Inn, take the road opposite down to Church Houses. Turn right when you enter the village, then left around the Feversham Arms Inn and take the road opposite its rear door down towards the River Dove. Carry on uphill to Daleside Road, turn right at the top (on what appears to be another Daleside Road) then take the track off on the left opposite Monket House (grid ref SE660972).

(1)Carry on uphill on the track for about 2 km until there are views over into Bransdale ahead of you. At the intersection of tracks turn right on the Westside Road track and follow it northwards past the disused quarry on your right. After 4.75 km you arrive at Bloworth Crossing with a Cleveland Way sign showing the CW routes off to the left and straight ahead.

(2)Take the old Battersby to Rosedale Head railway line off on the right and follow it around the north of Farndale Head and the south of Westerdale Head. The walk back from Bloworth Crossing to the parking at Blakey is just over 9 km of easy walking with great views of both the Farndale and Westerdale valleys.(E)

This is one of the simplest walks to follow but gives spectacular views of Farndale, Westerdale and Rosedale. Apart from the initial crossing of Farndale it is also relatively level - so the hard work all comes at the start and subsequently it is just a lengthy stroll across the moors.