Thursday 4th October 2001
Weather:
Mainly fair, but some cloud and a threat of rain
The Cleveland Way - Stage 1
Helmsley to
Sutton Bank
(including
the White Horse)
( 10 miles - Easy )
The
Cleveland Way is a wonderful walk of about 110 miles over a
varied terrain of open countryside,
woodland, wild moors and spectacular coastal cliff-top paths,
with stunning views for most of the way
I've done it before, and in my opinion it is best enjoyed in 10 stages of roughly 10/11 mile walks
. 
Today, along with
my regular walking pals Stan and Jim, and not forgetting Luke (
Jim's dog ),
we began with a nice gentle introduction from the North Yorkshire
market town of Helmsley to Sutton Bank
The footpath sign
above left (Grid Ref. 611 838) is the first of many we'll see on
our journey,
most of which are accompanied by the 'acorn' icon
. 
This lane is near the start as we head in a westerly direction away from Helmsley Castle
The lane leads us on to pleasant field paths with more good views back to the castle and town
About a mile from the start we pass the unusually shaped, but ornate, Griff Lodge
. 
The next mile or so
of walking is through pleasant Whinney Bank and Quarry Bank Woods
before we emerge
at a surfaced road and follow it left and downhill before it
bears right towards Rievaulx Bridge
The view south-east from the road along the fertile valley
A little further on and we catch a glimpse through the hedgerows of the magnificent ruins of Rievaulx Abbey
. 
From Rievaulx
Bridge (Grid Ref. 574 843) it's well worth the half-mile detour
to visit the ruins
- however, today we continue along the narrow road...
...soon reaching the peaceful surroundings of Nettledale
The ponds at Nettledale had an eerie green hue about them today
. 
This is the spot we chose to rest for a cup of tea - a small beck provides comfort for any sore feet
The track is well
signposted and leads us gently uphill and out of the woods of
Netterdale
to Low Field Lane and a totally contrasting landscape (looking
north-east towards Hawnby and Bilsdale)
. 
. . . at the top of the lane, we turn right and cross a small valley to the pretty village of Cold Kirby
. 
At the top of the
village we turn left along a wide lane which, after recent rain,
was very 'clarty' today
- from the stile another view back towards Cold Kirby and Hawnby
with the dark hulk of Easterside Hill prominent
. 
The lane leads us
to another woodland path which soon passes the paddocks of Hambleton House
and the racehorse stables of trainer Les Eyre - I don't think
Stan was stroking a future Derby winner there!
. 
Soon after passing
Hambleton House we follow its access track reaching the main A170
Thirsk to Scarborough road
where there's a pint waiting for you in the Hambleton Inn, and
nearby self-catering cottages and B & B ( £16 / night )
Taking care crossing the busy road, we follow a path through woodland and heath alongside ancient Casten Dike...
...before reaching the edge of the western escarpment of the Hambleton Hills, as stormy skies threatened
. 
Following the clear
path left and passing the gliding club, we decend the very steep
steps near the White Horse of Kilburn
- it's impossible to get a good photograph of the horse from
below as the natural curve of the hillside 'chops' its head off
It's a much better view from a mile or two away near Kilburn - today the horse looked more grey than white
. 
We follow the path
through even more woodland beneath Ivy Scar and Roulston Scar
before
climbing back up the steep track known as 'Thief's Highway' - a
quick getaway in days gone by
for highway robbers from the nearby drovers and stagecoach roads
Back at the top we're rewarded with fine views across the Vale of Mowbray
From here we retraced our steps back past the gliding club to Sutton Bank Information Centre
The whole of the Cleveland Way walk is now available on CD ROM
( If any photographs fail to download, click the right mouse
button on the blank space then choose 'Show Picture' )
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