The smallest
of the National Parks, the North York Moors comprise a high plateau bounded on
the north by the Plain of Cleveland and on the south by the vales of Pickering
and York. The park is at its scenic best in August and September, when the purple
heather is in bloom. On the north and south the moors are etched by deep valleys,
or dales, and the eastern boundary of the park ends in a spectacular coastline.
North York Moors near Stape, north of Pickering
One of the most popular dales with visitors is
Farndale, where the springtime daffodil displays bring people flocking to the
walk between Low Mill and Church houses.
For a memorable walk, trace the
course of the defunct Rosedale Railway over the moors from Rosedale to Ingleby
Greenhow. These high moors are home to a variety of birdlife, including curlews,
golden plovers, and merlins.
Wheeldale Moor
The
Cleveland
Way National Trail hugs the rim of the moor, and a trip along it provides
excellent views. Along the trail is the distinctive Roseberry Topping, which looks,
if you use your imagination, like a miniature version of the Matterhorn. This
region is home to Captain Cook, whose father worked on a farm at the foot of the
Topping.
Worth Seeing: Moors
Centre (Danby) - information centre for the park, with 13 acres of woods and
meadow walks. Esk Valley Walk - 33 mile trail between Farndale Moor
and Whitby following the route of the Esk Valley railway and the Esk river to
the sea. Ravenscar Geological Trail - walks of 2.5 and 4.5 miles following
the course of the Peak Fault, past disused alum quarries. The area is rich in
fossils. Rievaulx Abbey - this extremely popular medieval abbey sits
in woodland bisected by 12 lovely walks. Hayburn Wyke (Staintondale)
- path beside Thorny Beck, with its series of waterfalls, through a nature reserve
to the sea.
Contact
North Yorkshire Moors National Park The Old Vicarage, Bondgate Helmsley
York YO6 5BP Phone +44 (0) 1439 770657 Fax +44 (0) 1439 770691 Website:
www.moors.uk.net/
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