Friday 25th February 2000
Today's walk: Gribdale Gate - Captain Cook's Monument - Lonsdale (5 miles)
Today's walk starts at the Gribdale Gate car park and picnic site situated about 2 miles east of Great Ayton
We set off south up the forestry track on the Cleveland Way, which leads to Captain Cook's Monument on Easby Moor
Looking back down the track with Slacks Wood and Great Ayton Moor in the distance
Almost at the top, we look back north from Easby Moor - Roseberry Topping (left) and Great Ayton Moor (right)
Captain Cook's Monument on Easby Moor - erected in 1827 in honour of Captain James Cook by Robert Campion of Whitby
For much more information on the great man go to Captain Cook Country
Looking south-west from Easby Moor to the Cleveland Hills - left to right Urra Moor, Hasty Bank, Cold Moor, Cringle Moor, Carlton Moor
From our direction of approach to the Monument we turn east, still following the Cleveland Way . . .
. . . enjoying superb views of the village of Kildale, nestling in its own beautiful valley below Kildale Moor with Westerdale Moor beyond
After walking for about a mile through pleasant woodland . . .
. . . we ignore the sign and leave the Cleveland Way turning left along the access road to Lonsdale and Oak Tree Farm
The peace and quiet of Lonsdale - looking south-east towards Kildale Moor in the distance
If you wish to take a shortcut back to Gribdale Gate turn left and follow this gated road from Oak Tree Farm, but we continue straight on
The head of Lonsdale from the track up to Percy Cross Rigg - evidence of old quarry workings can be seen (centre left)
After a short climb up the forestry track from Oak Tree Farm we reach Percy Cross Rigg with good views north over Codhill Slack towards Highcliff Wood
Following a wide, curved track over Great Ayton Moor, we head back round the head of Lonsdale towards Gribdale Gate, looking south to Oak Tree Farm with Kildale Moor in the distance
An atmospheric scene on Great Ayton Moor near the end of the walk - Captain Cook's Monument is prominent on Easby Moor as the sun catches the northern slopes of distant Carlton Moor (centre right)
The track continues to meet up again with the Cleveland Way before the descent down some steep steps back to Gribdale Gate
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