Cleveland Way National Trail, Day 6

Kildale Station to Osmotherly.

Distance: About 21 Miles.

Time Taken: 8 hours.

Weather: Cold with Frequent Rain Showers.

Day Six is Very Hard Going with Six Very Big Hills to Cross!

The Walk

I caught the first morning train out of Whitby to arrive at Kildale Station around 940am for the start of day six on the Cleveland Way National Trail.

My plan was to walk the 21-miles from Kildale to Osmotherly; and then catch the train back into Whitby from Northalerton (using a taxi for the 5-mile trip from Osmotherly).  

As it happened, my brother was able to pick me up at Osmotherly; so we made arrangements to meet around 530pm at the Queen Charlotte Pub in the centre of the village.

Typical Moorland Scenary on the First Half of Today's Walk.

Day Six on the Cleveland Way is really a walk of two-halves.  

The first 10-miles involves a climb from Kildale through Baysdale and out onto the flattish rolling plateau that is the high North York Moors.  

Altough a bit of an uphill slog at the start; the walk is generally easy going and rewards with some great views over the surrounding countryside.

And keep an eye open for the poignant memorial to four RAF airmen who were killed on the Moors when there plane crashed here in 1941.

Memorial to Four RAF Airmen who Died Near Here in WWII.

The second half of the walk is, however, something entirely different!

It involves a traverse of five hills with steep up-and-down sections with only a very brief interlude of flattish walking atop each hill.

You'll be Rewarded with Amazing Views All Day!

By the time I got to the start of the last hill of the day at about 17-miles into the walk; I was  -  to be frank -  knackered!

And to make it worse I was behind schedule so needed to run the last four miles to be able to meet my brother for the pick up.

As it was, I still ended up being twenty minutes behind schedule.

But the views from each Hill are ever changing and quite spectacular; so that takes your mind of some of the aches and pains of walking.

NOTE: If you decide to attempt this 21-mile section in one go; make sure to allow about 9 or 10 hours as it is a very tough day!

With My New Friend on the Cleveland Way!