Rosella Ramble on the NY Moors

This 30-mile, long distance walk on the North York Moors is representative of all that is best about hiking on the Moors; with an emphasis on linking together some of the most popular moorland villages.

Hikers Leaving Rosedale Abbey in Summer 2014.

Another highlight is that it also links together eleven of our favourite historic Inns.

Thats why we call it the "drunken parrot" in honour of Rosella Cottage in Rosedale Abbey; from where the walk starts and ends.

If you're not lucky enough to be staying at Rosella, you can start from the village green in the centre of Rosedle Abbey and immediately ajacent to our Cottage.

There is ample safe parking in the village centre.

The only "rule" is that each walker must have a drink in every one of the Inns that the route links.

Leave Rosedale Abbey on Pry Hills Lane in a Southerly direction down the Dale.

Within 100 yards, turn immediately left into the Coach House Inn for your first drink of the day!

How's that for a good start to the day?

On leaving the Coach House, turn South again on Pry Hills Lane and start the walk down the Dale towards the hamlet at Hartoft.

It is around two-miles of easy going to arrive at the Blacksmith's Arms in Hartoft for your second libation of the day.

The Blacksmith's in Hartoft at the Southern end of Rosedale.

On leaving the Blacksmith's Arms, turn left and keep following the road all the way to the village of Cropton.

Keep right at the village green and 100 yards further-on you'll arrive at the the New Inn - home to the Great Yorkshire Brewery.

That's three down!

Leave the New Inn and head-off towards for Appleton-Le-Moors village via the the stile which is immediately adjacent to and on the right of the Inn.

This takes you West across two fields to another stile in the left bottom corner of the second field.

Climb the stile and go downhill to the valley floor onto Low Lane towards Appleton Mill Farm.

Cross the river by the bridge.

You'll come to the tarmac road as it begins its climb out of the valley.

Turn right and after about 250 yards you will need to turn left onto a farm track.

Following this immediately with a right turn onto a narrow and partially hidden path.

Climb steeply through the wood until it reaches a stile.

Climb the stile and follow the path on the right of the field with the hedge on your right.

Eventually you'll reach a back lane in Appleton-le-Moors.

A left turn and an immediate right leads you onto a path between the houses and gardens.

You'll come into the village almost opposite the The Moors Inn.

This is your fourth pub of the day.

On leaving the Moors Inn, turn left and head North towards the village of Lastingham.

Follow the sign posts for Lastingham.

Enjoy the marvellous view during the walk into the village with the Moors rising up to Aine Howe Cross on the skyline.

A left turn after passing the church brings you immediately to your fifth hostelry and second Blacksmith's of the day; the Blacksmith's Arms in Lastingham.

If it's nearing lunch time, this is a good spot for a bite to eat.

All Moorland Pubs have a Warm, Welcoming Fire Going in Wintertime.

When you leave, turn right outside the Blacksmith's and simply follow the Hutton-le-Hole road.

This road climbs gently up to the Spaunton turnoff at which you turn right at the large Oak tree and head for Hutton.

Turn left at the "T" junction and you'll find the heart of Hutton-le-Hole just 200 yards around the corner.

Our sixth Inn - the Crown - is on your left in the centre of the village.

You'll need to retrace your steps to head-off out of the village in a Northerly direction on the Blakey Road to Castleton.

Just outside the village. (about 150 yards beyond the junction), take a left turn over a stile.

Hutton-le-Hole is Just one of the Super Moorland Villages You'll Visit on the Walk.

The path heads Northeast across the fields.

The first part of this route is indistinct but you need to aim for a narrow cart track on your right.

Follow this track to the open Moor.

Continue on a Westerly heading towards Grouse Hall and the footbridge across a stream to its south.

Immediately you are across the stream take a magnetic bearing of 279° in order to reach a stile at the other side of the field.

Continue on the same bearing to the next stile at the far end of the second field.

After climbing over this stile it is necessary to stay on the left hand side of the field while walking down to the footbridge that crosses the river Dove at the renovated mill.

The right of way goes immediately behind the mill after which it joins the mill's access road as it climbs to the Gillamoor road.

Just as the slope begins to flatten out and the track turns to the right, look for another track going back and up to your left.

This track will take you to the left of the Church and onto the main street of Gillamoor.

Here you'll have your seventh drink at the Royal Oak.

On leaving, retrace your steps along the road and keep the village church on your right.

Make sure to take-in the famous "surprise view" from the seat at the top of the hill.

Surprise View from Gillamoor Church.

Follow the road down hill to the Lowna Car Park on the left.

Walk through the Car Park and follow the track as it heads for the River Dove which you reach after crossing a stream.

Be sure to take the right of way on the west side of the Dove as it heads North up Farndale.

This track takes you past the old Quakers burial ground at Lowna.

The path then climbs gently up along the edge of the moor and through a short stretch of forest.

You'll then cross the Moor onto the track leading to Park Farm.

Leave the farm on your right and continue N.N.E. towards Cross Farm.

Bear of 10° from the gate at the far end of the farmyard across the field to a stile and track which takes you back down to the River Dove.

Cross via the foot bridge and turn left to follow the river for about 50 yds before turning right.

Go diagonally uphill through the field towards the gate at its top left hand corner.

A few yards further takes you to the road in front of Rawson Syke Farm.

Turn left and follow the road to Low Mills Public Car Park.

From Low Mills, take the Daffodil Route as it follows the left bank of the River Dove to Church Houses further up the Dale.

The Feversham Arms Inn will be a welcome sight where the lane meets the Hamlet.

The Feathersham Arms is a Favourite with Hikers.

Time for your eighth drink!

Take the Farndale Bank road towards Castelton up the steep climb to Blakey Crossing.

Turn left at the top and follow the old railway to the Lion Inn on Blakey Ridge.

The pub requires you to take a right turn off the railway after you have passed the last field.

It's jut a few yards off the railway to the right; but out of sight.

Time for your ninth drink!

When you leave the Blakey pub, cross the road and bare left past the building and drop down to the old Rosedale cindertack railway.

Turn right onto the railway and follow this nice path around Rosedale below you.

On a clear day the views to South are fabulous.

Rosedale's World Famous Chimney Bank.

Eventually, you'll pass the giant calcinating kilns at Bank Top.

When you reach the tarmac road, turn left and walk down the famous Chimney Bank.

Cross the cattle grid with the "Rosedale Abbey" village sign on the right and just a few yards further you'll arrive at the White Horse Farm Inn on the right.

The White Horse was voted to be Yorkshire's favourite pub in 2012 and is a great place to take dinner

After your visit here, continue down hill into the village.

Cross the River Seven by the stone bridge and turn left at the junction.

There'll be just time for a night cap at the Milburn Arms before retiring to the luxury of a king-size bed in Rosella Cottage across the road.

Rosella Cottage (Left) with the Milburn Arms Hotel Opposite.