Route: Forge Valley and Raincliffe Woods
Area: North Yorkshire
Date of walk: 30th April 2015
Walkers: Andrew and Gilly
Distance: 8.3 miles
Weather: Sunshine and showers
We parked in the village of East Ayton and walked past the evocative ruins of Ayton Castle. After passing through a field we entered into Forge Valley woods, where a boardwalk has been laid along the bank of the River Derwent, home to otter, trout and crayfish. Forge Valley is a National Nature Reserve and the walk along the riverside is one of our favourites – the path was lined with wildflowers and is full of interest, though we didn’t see any of the advertised otters or kingfishers
Near the end of the valley we crossed a footbridge and climbed uphill along a narrow path. Wild garlic was growing everywhere, a lovely sight and smell. This led us to Middle Road, a pedestrian track which runs through Raincliffe Woods, a 550 acre area of ancient woodland managed by members of the local community. There are numerous paths running through the woods, but we stayed on Middle Road until we eventually descended to Throxenby Mere, marking the half way point of the walk
The return leg was a complete contrast to what had gone before. After climbing uphill along a muddy path, we emerged onto Seamer Moor, a high level plateau of farming land. The track over the moor headed gently downhill back into East Ayton – an easy and very pleasant way to end the walk
For other walks here, visit my Find Walks page and enter the name in the ‘Search site’ box
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)
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Start of the walk as we park by the bridge over the River Derwent
Walking out of West Ayton
We leave the village
The remains of Ayton Castle, built in the 14th century
Looking across to East Ayton - the River Derwent is beyond the paddock
Looking back to Ayton Castle
Descending into Forge Valley
Entrance to Forge Valley, a National Nature Reserve, and named after the iron smelting which took place here
The River Derwent
The boardwalk beside the river, with wild flowers lining the way……
All too soon it’s time to leave the boardwalk and cross the river - and the road
We climb uphill through swathes of wild garlic, not quite at their peak yet
Entering Raincliffe Woods, a wildlife haven now managed by members of the local community
There are numerous trails through the woods - we follow the one known as Middle Road
A clearing near the end of the track
Sycamore seed
Further along, zooming in on Scarborough
We descend to Throxenby Mere
We climb up Row Brow to the highest point of the walk…
...from which there is a view over Scarborough and its Castle
Near the top of Hagworm Hill - the hills in these parts are tabular in nature
This easy track points like an arrow back down to the start
Approaching East Ayton
The Yorkshire Wolds in the distance
Back in East Ayton, excitement mounts as Le Tour de Yorkshire arrives tomorrow
Last photo of the walk as we pass by the village church
On the short drive back to our cottage we stopped at Birdwatchers Car Park in Forge Valley, and put out some food
A Great Tit pops out for a snack
Nuthatch
and a Great Spotted Woodpecker, all in the space of a couple of minutes
We arrive back at Derwent View, and put out the bunting in readiness for tomorrow - see my next walk……
