Easterside rising

Easterside Hill is the one that really stands out in shapely isolation when seen from Newgate Bank as you drive the Helmsley to Stokesley road deep in Bilsdale. For a generation or two, Easterside's top has been out of bounds, till last year when a new footpath was designated. A proper public footpath, not a permissive. A 1960s Forestry Commission Guide says 'For the sound in wind and limb, a walk to the top of Easterside Hill or of Hawnby Hill is most rewarding on a clear day'.

We start nearer Hawnby Hill. To get to Easterside we have a pretty half mile, a dip into a little valley, intricate with bright streams, dry torrent beds masquerading as tracks, tumbledown walls, boggy bits and a scattering of primroses and ruins in overgrown, romantic sad decrepitude.

Crow Nest, the last and least-ruined ruin, looks through remnants of orchard towards Hawnby Hill. We look up and see that just as we rise to simple territory there are waymarks.

A contour track takes us up nearly half way around the hill. A cuckoo called from the last few trees and then, pointed by yellow arrows, I did the smooth, convex and steep climb to the plateau of bilberry and heather.

A welcome cool breeze slid over the top, the sun had won its battle with the north-eastern clouds and I was so glad of the views.

Between sandwiches you can take ten paces one way and ten paces the other, and visually connect half a dozen major landscapes - the Hambleton, Tabular and Cleveland Hills, Ryedale, Bilsdale, moorland; the territory of many a previous Evening Press country walk.

Surprising, on a sunny Saturday in May, I had the hill to myself, and must have looked a tiny solitary skyline figure from the cars on Newgate Bank, and equally surprising there didn't seem to be anyone on Hawnby Hill, which has been open access for ages.

We take a shallow descent down the other side, then flatten out and corner round the rest of Easterside, including its adjunct Pepper Hill all on a delightful path. Finally thread through a dry and barren rock field and splodge again in and out of the lush little valley.

DIRECTIONS

When in doubt look at the map. Check your position at each point. Keep straight on unless otherwise directed.

From cattlegrid, farm track north-east downhill between parking area and field wall, 200 yards, right, 100 yards, right-hand of two stiles in fence, ten o'clock for 50 yards to stile in wire fence, right to bottom of field, left to gateway near corner, one o'clock for 25 yards to gateway, 11 o'clock across field, right to sunken path downhill, left at bottom by stream, 100 yards, wooden footbridge (with railings) to cross main stream.

Right to path, 200 yards, left uphill after ruins, left above them to track (not right to waymarked wood), gateway, gateway 100 yards before Crow Nest (ruin) and immediately gap in wall on right. (Continue along track to look at house if you wish).

Uphill for 300 yards, gateway on right by tree, 50 yards, stile on left, grassy track uphill and swing right to farm.

Stile/fieldgate into farmyard, loop above barns, main track out of farmyard.

Left to road, stile/fieldgate on left into field (signed, opposite Easterside Farm), immediately right, 100 yards, left at field corner, uphill.

Stile to moor, 11 o'clock, 25 yards, path (waymarked with posts) uphill and over southern end of Easterside Hill. Signposted path downhill.

Short stretch of path by fence, stile and immediately left by fence/wall.

As wall swings left towards farm (thorn tree by wall), carry straight on across moor on path marked with small cairns and through 'rock field' towards Sportsman's Hall on other side of valley.

Fieldgate into field, one o'clock downhill, 150 yards, left to track, 100 yards, fieldgate, track down to footbridge at No. 2.

FACT FILE

Distance: Four and a half miles.

Time: Two to three hours.

Start: Moor Gate, the gates and cattlegrid just over a mile north of Hawnby, at the northern end of Hawnby Hill. Grid Reference 539917.

Right of way: The complete route is along public rights of way.

Date walked: Saturday, May 6 2000.

Road route: Via Osmotherley or via Helmsley.

Car parking: Free parking area.

Lavatories: None.

Refreshments: Inn and shop at Hawnby.

Tourist and public transport information: Helmsley TIC 01439 770173.

Map: Based on OS Outdoor Leisure 26, North York Moors western area.

Terrain: Mostly smooth paths and track except valley crossings.

Footwear: Walking boots.

Points of interest: New public footpath up Easterside Hill. Views.

Difficulty: Moderate. Steepish 300 foot climb to 1,000 feet.

Dogs: Suitable for dogs but keep on leads or under close control. Ground-nesting birds.

Weather forecast: Evening Press and recorded forecast 0891 500 418

Please observe the Country Code and park sensibly. Every effort is made to provide accurate information, but walkers set out at their own risk.

PICTURE:The moorland rock field