Kildale and Captain Cook’s Monument
Start and Finish: Kildale
Approximate time for the walk: 4.5 hours
Distance: 8 miles
Landscape: Moorland and forest
Map: O/S Outdoor Leisure North Moors Western area
Description of the walk:
This walk starts in the centre of the village of Kildale. To this start this walk, pass the post office and turn left at the first road. After a few yards, turn right along path sign-post the Cleveland Way, passing the tea rooms. Carry straight ahead down this narrow path, to pass under the Esk Valley Railway Line. Carry straight now on now the tarmac path and climb upwards passing Bankside Farm. Pass over the cattle grid and continue straight up the slope to the top slope. At the top of slope, turn left on footpath (sign post Cleveland Way and Gribbdale). This is a forest road.
1. After about 500 yards, leave the main track and go up a green path, passing trees and a Cleveland sign. Go straight ahead up this path following the path to Easby Moor and then Captain Cook’s Monument. Once you have reach the monument, turn right along a flagstone path which leads to a road and a car park at Gribbdale Gate. At the road, turn right for a few yards and then go half left up the vehicle track passing a green sign on the SSSI moorland.
2. Carry straight ahead, passing a barrier and continue up the track. After about a few yards, turn right of the main track and go up the gully which has a rocky path. Follow this path straight now as you pass over Great Ayton Moor to meet a road. Turn right, passing through a gate and go along this unfenced road. Carry straight ahead down this lane for a couple of miles to arrive at another road. Go straight over and continue down lane opposite for another 130 yards. The road now turns left where you now return right on this footpath.
3. Follow this footpath for another 40 yards and over a small beck. Now go half right up and across the field to a gap in the wall. Continue through the gap in the wall and turn left up the wall. With wall the path leads to a wire fence with a small pond on your right and a stile on your left. Go straight forward with the wire fence on your left hand side to cross the field. At far-side of field, turn right down by a wall to reach a signpost and gate. Here turn left through the gate. Carry straight ahead for 60 yards to meet a signpost. Here turn right and go on this path to pass some trees.
4. Follow this woodland path, passing over a bridge to reach another sign-post. Turn left and follow the path next to the Esk Valley railway line. Continue straight ahead with railway line to your right. Carry on and pass over a stile in hedge line and continue along the field edge, curving left to arrive at metal gate/stile. Go over the stile and turn left on the road. Continue along the road for half a mile to return to Kildale where the walk finishes and concludes