Esk Valley Walk

OVERVIEW

The Esk Valley walk is a relatively unknown trail, but at 35 miles long is a very easy one to complete. The walk also has very easy rail links, as the trail runs alongside the Esk Valley Railway lines for much of it's duration.

The walk can be split into two core sections. The first of these is a loop from Castleton and back, which crosses Westerdale Moor and Danby High Moor. Whilst the second runs down along the River Esk from Castleton to Whitby.

The first of these sections heads through fairly quiet sections of moorland - and can be a fairly rugged trail when the weather is bad. Whilst the second is a bit more civilized, and finishes off with the promise of fish and chips at Whitby.

In combination with the Cleveland Way, the walk gives a good introduction to the North Yorkshire Moors.

PRACTICALITIES

Accommodation is available at Castleton - and Castleton seems the most obvious place to split the walk in two.

Otherwise the trail has train stations at Castleton, Danby, Lealholm, Glaisdale, Egton Bridge, Grosmont, Sleights, Ruswarp and Whitby.

It is also possible to walk onto the trail from Commondale (a short walk) or Battersby (a longer walk up the Ingleby Incline and then cutting across on the old railway lines.

There is also plenty of accommodation at the far end at Whitby.

STAGES

Castleton to Castleton Loop

Planed to be walked in the future...

Castleton to Whitby (★★★★☆)

From Castleton the Esk Valley Walk heads along the ridge north of the village, heading past some houses and through woods at Danby Park. From here it joins up with a minor road and then cuts across to the centre of Danby.

From here the original route of this trail cuts up the hill and along Lodge Lane , before passing the Visitor Centre, and heading up Park Bank. From here the Esk Valley Walk turns off to head to Danby Beacon, but on my walk I stayed on the road along the front of the ridge (as I prefer this route).

Eventually these routes meet back up above Lealholm - and here the path drops down into Lealholm, before cutting across the fields to Glaidale (where you can find Beggar's Bridge). From here the path cuts through the woods to Egton Bridge, where you find the Stepping Stones.

Next there is a less good section heading across to Grosmont, but the path never actually heads into this village - and instead heads past and across the fields to Briggswath. From here you drop into Sleights (on the other side of the river) - and once again cut up over the fields (where you get the first sight of Whitby Abbey). 

Finally the route cuts through Ruswarp and then crosses over the route of the Cinder Trail on it's way into Whitby, where the path heads along the harbour.

This section included 21.0 miles of walk (19.3 on the Esk Valley Walk) and just over two thousand feet of ascent (just under two on the Esk Valley Walk).