GEORGE WILKINSON takes a hot trek beside Warter
Today's seven and a half miles are a grand Wolds' tour. On such walker-friendly terrain, it's equivalent to five miles elsewhere.
I didn't begin in Warter - not enough parking - but our elevated and verge start gives a fair impression of most of the circuit.
However, you'll find that with few buildings, no landmarks obvious for long, and with one dry valley merging into another and one shelterbelt of trees looking like the next, it's quite disorientating.
It was noon and hot, a day for shades, hat and a full water bottle, and a skimpy coat for a forecast break in the dry spell.
I strolled down a couple of back lanes, through wood edge, and along Great Dug Dale, the first valley. With the sun at its highest and the birds falling silent, I had a short siesta under a thorn tree.
The quiet, give or take a skylark, was impressive. After a shady stretch along a line of big beeches, we turn north for the main axis of the route.
Then it's two-and-a-half miles of exposed gentle dip to rise on smashing tracks (hereabouts the wide field margins double as farm access).
So it was a sun-baked and fast march to Blanch Farm. On the way you pass a nice old fashioned looking farm and some of the best hedges in Yorkshire.
The views were to a hazy mid-distance, over fields of green, chalky white and jazzy yellow - a spectacle of colour. At Blanch Farm there's a fingerpost with two fingers and six additional arrows, East Riding council are the masters of waymarking.
Then we swing round to Brig Dale, take a typically abrupt dry valley junction and follow Lavender Dale. All the valleys were lovely, bright with flowers, occasionally there's a damp pond.
Lavender Dale is a bit different, with a billowing mix of trees on the far side that you look down upon.
As I climbed out of this last valley the sun dimmed, the air turned still and sultry and solid dark sky threatened from the east.
We ask that people following our Weekender Walks observe the country code and park sensibly in country areas. While every effort is made to provide accurate information, walkers set out at their own risk.
DIRECTIONS
When in doubt look at the map. Check your position at each point. Keep straight on unless otherwise directed.
1. Downhill on Huggate road towards Warter, first left, left to main road, 150 yards (some verge), stile into wood on right (signed), path.
2. Stay by fence/hedge along edge of valley on grassy track. Sharp right at small, fenced off, marshy area, 300 yards to lane.
3. Left as far as bend then straight on to track by trees/shelterbelt (signed).
4. At end of shelterbelt, left to fieldedge track (on left of hedge), 200 yards and kink left, stay by hedge, cross minor road, track, cross main road, farm track uphill.
5. Into Blanch Farm yard between house and barn, left at finger post and pass barn then right to track through trees (signed). Fieldgate and immediately right through narrow, hedged field.
6. Fieldgate and immediately left along edge of valley, gate.
7. At unmarked post by small hollow, path one o'clock downhill to fingerpost (20 yards off path), right and steeply up other side of valley by edge of wood. Gate at top to path.
8. Left at junction of gates and tracks to track round southern edge of wood, left at T-junction with bridleway/track (200 yards from road) and track back to start.
FACT FILE
Distance: Seven and a half miles.
Time: Three hours.
Start: About three quarters of a mile out of Warter on the Huggate road (turn off B1246 by pond, Grid Ref. 876514),
Right of way: The complete route is along public rights of way.
Date walked: May 20.
Road route: Warter is on the B1246 Pocklington to Driffield road.
Parking: Wide verges, beware ditches.
Lavatories: None.
Refreshments: Shop in Warter.
Tourist & public transport info: Beverley TIC 01677 424604.
Map: Based on OS Pathfinders 666 (Kirby Underdale) and 675 (Market Weighton).
Terrain: Good paths, fine tracks.
Footwear: Walking boots or shoes.
Points of interest: Dry valleys, shelter belts and hedges.
Difficulty: Moderate.
Dogs: Suitable for dogs on leads or under close control.
Weather forecast: Evening Press and recorded forecast 0891 500 418
PICTURE:St James's Church at Warter and the Wolds in the distance
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