Route: Forge Valley
Area: North Yorkshire
Date of walk: 30th January 2018
Walkers: Andrew
Distance: 5.4 miles
Weather: Sunny at first but soon clouded over
I parked in the attractive village of West Ayton and after walking along the Yedmandale Road for a few yards turned off at Castle Rise to follow the sign to Forge Valley. A path through Castle Field took me past Ayton Castle. All that remains of the castle now is the atmospheric ruin of the stone tower, built around 1400
I followed a path uphill to join the high level path above Forge Valley Woods. The next 2 miles or so were along the edge of the woodland with open countryside to my left. Beyond Spikers Hill the path descends to valley level, at which point the return journey commences. The terrain around here is extremely boggy at the best of times thanks to some nearby springs. Today was no exception and is was a squelchy walk into Forge Valley Woods
On entering the woods I joined the boardwalk path, which I followed to the end of the valley. The walk through Forge Valley offers good prospects for bird watchers, and here may be seen kingfishers, grey wagtail, redpoll and a wide variety of woodland birds. I had some good sightings as I went along, but none of the elusive kingfisher
At the end of the woods I continued through the fields, passing by Ayton Castle again and from here I retraced my steps back into West Ayton to end an enjoyable walk
For other walks here, visit my Find Walks page and enter the name in the ‘Search site’ box
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Bridge over the River Derwent in West Ayton at the start of today's walk
Looking back to the millstone as I pass by Derwent Mill
I follow the sign for Forge Valley
At the end of Castle Rise I pass through this gate
Ayton Castle...
Looking across to West Ayton on the far side of the River Derwent
This will be my return path from Forge Valley - I climb uphill to the higher path
Start of the path above Forge Valley Woods
Yedman Dale below
Bonnie
View across Forge Valley
The path hugs the edge of the woods...
I follow the sign for Cockrah Foot
A welcome sign of spring
A view of the North Sea in the distance
I follow a muddy track down to the valley
Hackness in the background, but I turn right here to start the return journey
The boggy section mentioned in the introduction
Entrance to Forge Valley Woods
Start of the boardwalk, which will take me along the length of the valley, with the River Derwent on my left
In late spring this area will be covered with swathes of wild garlic
I reach the end of the boardwalk
Fields before West Ayton
I turn right to follow the track
Ayton Castle
I retrace my steps to the start
Back to West Ayton and the end of today's walk
