Black Hambleton

Route: Black Hambleton

Area: North Yorkshire

Date of walk: 21st August 2019

Walkers: Andrew

Distance: 8.4 miles

Ascent: 1,100 feet

Weather: Mixed cloud and sunshine, a couple of showers

Black Hambleton is a plateau on the western edge of the North York Moors, and defines the northern extremity of the Hambleton Hills. It is also the highest of the Hambleton Hills at a height of 1,308 feet

I parked at Square Corner on Thimbleby Moor, which is a couple of miles beyond the village of Osmotherley. The way ahead was obvious from the start of the walk, and I set off south along a wide track, heading in the direction of Black Hambleton, the prominent hill rising directly ahead. After a short distance I branched off to the right to join the track leading into Silton Forest. The track took me gently downhill through the forest, eventually emerging onto farmland below the western edge of the Hambleton Hills

After following a succession of lanes, tracks and paths through the fields I arrived at Nab Farm, roughly the half way point of the walk, and this signalled a change in the nature of the terrain as I gradually climbed up to Kepwick Moor. This was the scenic highlight of the walk, and it was fortunate that good weather coincided with this section, showing the views at their best. The huge panorama included the Vales of York and Mowbray, and rivalled those I’d enjoyed on a recent visit to nearby Sutton Bank

At the top of Kepwick Moor I joined the Cleveland Way and followed this over the shoulder of Black Hambleton, enjoying more good views which were enhanced by the flowering heather. Navigation here was a simple affair and I continued along the waymarked Cleveland Way, descending gently down the Hambleton Drove Road back to the start. It had been a superb walk

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Hedgehogs, array of hedgehogs, prickle of hedgehogs

Earlier this week, five hedgehogs paid us a visit - we've been seeing one or two most nights, but it was a thrill to see an 'array' or 'prickle' as they are described collectively

The start of today's walk from Square Corner, where there is free parking for several cars

Black Hambleton ahead - I follow the Hambleton Drove Road towards it

I branch off to the right at the sign ahead, and will rejoin the drove road at the end of the walk

The outskirts of Silton Forest

Further into the forest

Black Hambleton walk, Silton Forest, National Cycle Network

One of the 1,000 mileposts funded by the Royal Bank of Scotland which mark the creation of the National Cycle Network

Silver birch in Silton Forest

Further along the forest track, which gradually descends to valley level

The track, known as Moor Lane, continues to Nether Silton but I leave it here and turn left into the fields

The start of a section through farmland which twists and turns but the direction of travel is south...

At Honeykiln Farm, there were cows with calves in the fields, causing momentary uncertainty, but the farmer happened to be there and assured me of safe passage...