Wolds Way - Fordon - North Dale - Lang Dale

Phil Catterall

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This route is little-walked, apart from a short section of The Wolds Way National Trail near to the start. Navigation is very straightforward. Several Yorkshire Wolds Dales are visited: Cansdale, East Dale, North Dale and Langdale.

At the start a short detour takes us to Sharpe Howe, which is marked by a clump of mature trees, making it a prominent feature in the Wolds landscape. This is a Bronze Age barrow which was excavated in the 19th Century. A grave was found containing a skeleton with a food vessel.

You have to look carefully to find St James's Church located in the woodland by the crossroads in the hamlet of Fordon. The foundation stone above the door states 1768; however, the Grade II listed building dates back to the 12th Century. For security reasons the door has to be kept locked, a sign of the times.

The valleys on the walk are dry on account of the chalk, making this an ideal walk to do after heavy rain when other footpaths in North Yorkshire are likely to be muddy. There are fine views over the Wolds and to the sea cliffs at Bempton.

England - North England - Yorkshire - Yorkshire Wolds

Features

Ancient Monument, Birds, Butterflies, Church, Great Views, Hills or Fells, Wildlife, Woodland

10/24/2017 - Phil Catterall

Thanks Paul, Tracey and Brenda, I went out this week to recheck this walk. Due to the track on the access land at the top of the bank now having been moved on to private land this section is now impassable. I have therefore amended the walk through East Dale to reach Fordon using the road instead.

7/29/2017 - Paul and Tracy Dawson

Generally flat walk which seemed to be low lying but with fantastic long distance views! Like Brenda the previous reviewer did, we went up the steep bank to find the other side of the wooden gate at the top to be overgrown (not sure we were supposed to go through?) so walked, rather awkwardly in the field for a few hundred yards following the sheep tracks. Eventually you come to a flatter path then into a gravel track down to a gate and the road. Other than that an enjoyable walk

4/23/2017 - Brenda Woodcock

We did this walk on Sunday 23/4/17, it is a delightful walk with some stunning views. Dog friendly gentle walk, with just one or two ups and downs. It is mostly flat low level. However,I have only rated it 3 as there are quite a few differences in the directions and what is actually on the ground. I am guessing it is several years since the walk was first put on paper. I won't go into full details(it needs to be walked again by the author) but the first query is at Waypoint 4,we climbed up the bank to see the views but the track is not there, we went through a 2nd gate turned left and eventually found a track. Ok then. From W/P 6 to 8 needs to be rewritten.would give it a 5 then.