Route: River Derwent from Hackness
Area: North Yorkshire
Date of walk: 25th May 2019
Walkers: Andrew
Distance: 3.6 miles
Ascent: 200 feet
Weather: Sunny
We were staying at Derwent View Hackness and on the last day of our short break in North Yorkshire there was just enough time for an early morning walk. I was up with the lark and left the cottage at 5am. Anyone not staying here could start this walk from the nearby village hall. Just beyond Hackness I left the road to cross over the River Derwent via a wooden footbridge. The river would be my constant companion to the furthest point of the walk at Little Hilla Green
I passed by the cottage again, this time on the opposite bank, and continued along the valley. As the sun rose there was some good light on the old stone barns in the fields to my left. A little further along I had a sighting of a young roe deer buck. I carried on along the riverside path, which becomes a little slippery and awkward towards the end. I stopped every so often in the hope of spotting a kingfisher – these birds frequent this stretch of the river – but I was out of luck today
When I reached Little Hilla Green I realised that I’d taken longer than planned to get to this point, and so returned to Hackness via Estell Lane and Broxa Lane. These are quiet lanes and carry little traffic, especially at this time of the day. It was a very pleasant stroll and a good ending to our short stay in North Yorkshire
There are two possible extensions to this walk, both of which avoid returning via the road. For the continuation to Broxa and back click here, and for a return via Wrench Green click here
Click on the icon below for the route map (subscribers to OS Maps can view detailed maps of the route, visualise it in aerial 3D, and download the GPX file. Non-subscribers will see a base map)
Scroll down – or click on any photo to enlarge it and you can then view as a slideshow
The start of the walk as I leave Derwent View - I'll turn right at the village Hall and follow the road for a short distance
Leaving Hackness
I pass by the old outbuildings of Mill Farm
I leave the road via this gate
Footbridge over the River Derwent, and I'll turn right at the other side
Looking back across to Mill Farm from the banks of the River Derwent
I follow the delightful riverside path...
Chapman Bank Woods on the far side of the valley
Looking back to one of the old barns which are a feature of the area
I pass by Derwent View, on the other side of the river
Looking back as the sun starts to rise...
Last of the old barns
I spot a young roe buck, fortunately he remains still as I fumble for the telephoto lens
A view back along the valley
Coomb Hill
The bridge to Wood House
I saw a couple of dippers here, but no sign of kingfishers
I cross this small bridge and at the end of the field I join Estell Lane at the start of the return leg
Everley Banks in the distance
Broxa Lane
I pass by the old Hackness cricket ground
Back to Derwent View, and time for some breakfast
Tree sparrow in the cottage garden...
...and a nuthatch
Lastly a robin in nearby Bird Watchers' car park
