Walks in the North York Moors Book 2

The 30 circular family walks in this guidebook are on the North York Moors in the National Park, covering remote stretches of the high moor, gentler sections along the moor’s flanks and the coastline from Redcar as far south as Scarborough.

View Sample Route Map

55: Paradise

---

6 ¼ miles

---

Paradise is a tiny valley set amid the Park’s wooded western foothills. The name is entirely appropriate, for this is a place of Elysian beauty; a tranquil refuge from the stressful modern world. The outstanding highlight of this walk is the exhilarating path along the rim of the craggy escarpment. Easy walking after an initial steepish climb and stunning views.

Parking: Boltby. Small roadside parking space 200 yards east of the village on the Hawnby road. Map Ref: 494 865

1. Walk down road to village.
2. Take first lane on L (by the Methodist Chapel) and follow it to its end at a gate.
3. Keep to RH side of field (BW sign) climbing steeply with fence/ ditch on R. Fork R (blue arrow) to follow clear path up through trees.
4. Fork L (SP Littlemoor) along thin path to leave wood at gate/ stile.
5. Maintain direction (towards highest trees on the skyline) up field to re-enter wood at another gate (wm). Cross forest road and keep straight on up clear path, which soon swings R and narrows. Follow it up to gate at top of wood.
6. Climb thin, clear path slanting R up hillside, but before reaching top of slope turn sharp L along crosspath. Follow path (cw) along top of escarpment, with first a fence, then a wall, on R. Path eventually bears L away from wall to descend to gate (wm).
7. Turn R up tarmac road (for alternative route see note below). At crossroads turn L (sign to Boltby Forest, High Paradise Farm) onto rough lane.
8. Turn L (cw sign) along road to High Paradise Farm. Pass to R of farm and continue down tarmac lane.
9. Pass house named ‘Oak Beck’ and in 150yds fork R downhill.
10. Fork L through gate (sign Low Paradise). Pass through gate immediately to L of buildings, turn L to cross cart-track and go straight down two fields to cross stream by flat bridge.
11. Turn L to follow thin path, initially near beck, then swinging R up to gate into wood. Cross forest road and up broad track slanting L.
12. Leave wood at another gate and follow fence on R to its end at gate.
13. Keep straight on across long pasture. A faint path, rising slightly at first, passes below small, fenced reservoir then rises gently to gate.
14. Turn L along rough lane and R at tarmac road.