The Hole of Horcum and Skelton Tower Viewpoint
An interesting walk around and then through the geological feature known as The Hole of Horcum. There is a detour to the ruin of Skelton Tower and from there good views of the steam engines running on the North Yorkshire Moors Historical Railway. The rim of the hole has the remains of Iron Age earth workings taking the form of dykes.
Technical sheet No. 2016265
Calculated time: 4h05[?] 
Distance : 12.12 km
Vertical gain : 205 m
Vertical drop : 204 m
Highest point : 277 m
Lowest point : 128 m 
Difficulty : Easy
Back to starting point : Yes
Walking
Area :
North York Moors
Location : Lockton
Starting point : N 54.331596° / W 0.690367° 
Today's forecast :
Description
(D) Start at Saltergate carpark which takes numerous vehicles. Cross over the road and head northwards following the bend to the gate in the wall.
(1) Go through the gate and follow the broad track westwards and continue as it curves in a southerly direction, passing the iron age dykes to arrive at Dundale Pond.
(2) At the pond and junction with other tracks, turn right and follow the path to a stone wall.
(3) At the wall (signpost), take the path across the moor to the escarpment.
(4) At the escarpment, turn right and take the path downhill to the obvious ruined tower called Skelton Tower. (5) This is a great place for a picnic and/or the watch and photograph the trains. If you are a climber there are some boulders on the slope beneath the tower which have a few interesting problems.
(5) From the tower, We went further along the escarpment until we met the wall and then turned left and followed the wall back to (3) From there, return to Dundale Pond (2)
(2) From Dundale Pond, walk in an easterly direction and above a valley/stream on the left to a junction with a path in the valley bottom and signpost.
(6) Turn left and follow the Hole of Horcum signpost, crossing a couple of small streams. Follow the path with a wall on your right. Then, follow the path over the fields to the old farm.
(7) Pass the Farm on the left and either continue on the good path or as we did take the path on the right through a gate and across fields towards the woods on the escarpment rim. You will join another path from the right.
(8) Cross the wall and take the track to join the main path from the farm.
(9) Turn right and take the path uphill to the gate at (1) Follow the road back to the car park (D/A)
Waypoints :
D/A : km 0 - alt. 276 m - Saltergate carpark - Saltergate carpark
1 : km 0.61 - alt. 245 m
2 : km 4.07 - alt. 192 m - Dundale Pond - Dundale Pond
3 : km 4.56 - alt. 207 m
4 : km 4.97 - alt. 196 m
5 : km 5.7 - alt. 153 m - Skelton Tower - Skelton Tower
6 : km 8.58 - alt. 128 m
7 : km 10.1 - alt. 160 m
8 : km 11.2 - alt. 194 m
9 : km 11.34 - alt. 220 m
D/A : km 12.12 - alt. 277 m - Saltergate carpark - Saltergate carpark
Useful Information
This walk is mostly on open moorland. You could get a bit of shelter from the wind at Skelton Tower. There is no place to get water, other than the pond and stream. If doing so make sure you are able to filter and purify the water. Better to take your own.
Possible in stout footwear, approach shoes or trainers.
Visorando and this author cannot be held responsible in the case of accidents or problems occuring on this walk.
During the walk or to do/see around
Look out for the iron age dykes, the following web sites might help you locate and understand them.
http://www.stone-circles.org.uk/stone/ho...
https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/t...
The ruin of Skelton Tower is a good place to stop, try to time your stop with a steam train coming down the line. The timetable can be found here.
https://www.nymr.co.uk/pages/category/ti...
Climbers will find this link to the boulders useful, they are also in the North York Moors and East Coast Bouldering Guide
https://www.ukclimbing.com/logbook/crag....
Opinions and comments
Average
Global average : 4.75/5
Number of opinions : 4
Clarity of route description : 4.75/5
Clarity of route map : 4.75/5
Walk interest : 4.75/5
Walker
Global average : 4.67 / 5
Date of walk
: 16/01/22
Clarity of route description
: ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map
: ★★★★★ Very good
Walk interest
: ★★★★☆ Good
Nice and easy walk with good views and photo opportunities. Well sign post. Plenty of sheep so keep your dog on a lead.
Walker
Global average : 5 / 5
Date of walk
: 10/09/21
Clarity of route description
: ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map
: ★★★★★ Very good
Walk interest
: ★★★★★ Very good
A good walk, especially coming back through the Hole of Horcum which is stunning.
Walker
Global average : 5 / 5
Date of walk
: 09/08/21
Clarity of route description
: ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map
: ★★★★★ Very good
Walk interest
: ★★★★★ Very good
Walker
Global average : 4.33 / 5
Date of walk
: 12/09/20
Clarity of route description
: ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map
: ★★★★☆ Good
Walk interest
: ★★★★★ Very good
A really enjoyable walk in beautiful countryside. We also met a lot of very friendly people
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