Levisham to Dundale Pool and Skelton Tower

Starting point  and OS Grid reference: Horseshoe Inn, Levisham (SE 833906). On street parking.		Ordnance Survey Map OL 27  North York Moors – Eastern Area Buy this map from List of OS Maps     Note: If you use OS Maps on-line, you can download this route via this link.
Distance: 5.5 miles	Date of Walk: 14 May 2025
Ascent: Descent: See Walking Time Calculator	670ft (204m) 670 ft (204m)
Traffic light rating:      (For explanation see My Walks page)
For advice on .gpx files see My Walks page	Click the PDF logo above to give a printable version of this walk without the photos.

To view route as a dynamic Ordnance Survey map click here.

Introduction: This walk from Levisham  is probably the prettiest walk I have done in the North York Moors with dramatic, panoramic views enhanced by the time of year when I did it, when there was a proliferation of flowering flora – May blossom, gorse, garlic, bluebells, to name but a few.

The walk travels through the Levisham Estate now owned by the North York Moors National Park Authority. En route, it passes Dundale Pool, a natural feature and designated site of archaeological importance. Needless to say as with many geographical features it comes with a legend, being connected to a giant called Wade, though quite how he created to pool I am not sure. I try not to think the worst!

The next item is the ruin of Skelton Tower, built by the Rev. Robert Skelton around 1830/1840. Depending on what version you believe, it was a quiet retreat for writing sermons, a hunting lodge or a secret drinking den. The latter sounds more fun! From my perspective the best things about it was the view, which included a clear section of the North York Moors railway track and the convenient picnic seat provided by the remains of its walls.

The walk starts from Levisham, one of those places that if you arrive there, that is where you are going -  other than its railway station on the North York Moors railway which is about a mile and a half beyond the village in Newton Dale. Levisham is little more than a single street of traditional cottages, very quiet but very attractive. It has a wonderful pub, The Horseshoe Inn which I can thoroughly recommend for food, drink and accommodation – I stayed there! It is a popular walking destination and there are lots of footpaths to follow.

During the walk you will see various signs exhorting you to keep dogs on a lead!

It was extremely dry when I did this walk but there are sections which could well be muddy after a wet spell. The section after Levisham station is quite steep uphill and narrow in places with quite a steep slope down to the right. This could be a little hazardous if wet and slippery. I give an amber traffic light for this section. Up until then, the walk is easy going.

To get to Levisham, turn west off the A169 Pickering to Whitby road, about five miles north of Pickering. You pass through Lockton village.

Start: The walk description starts from outside the pub where, with your back to its door, you turn left then left again along the tarmac lane (Limpsey Gate Lane on the OS map). When the tarmac ands, keep ahead on the broad track.

Arrive at a gate and keep straight ahead following the fingerpost for “Saltergate”, marked with a blue bridleway arrow. Ignore a path off to the right.

A few minutes walk brings you to Dundale Pool (SE 828919), where there is a fingerpost with multiple fingers. Continue to the left of the pool following the sign for Levisham Station.

Continue until you reach a four way fingerpost at the corner of a wall (SE 824920). Branch right following a white footpath arrow.

After about a quarter of a mile, you reach the edge of the escarpment (SE 821922). At the time of my walk, there was a prominent “Keep dogs on a lead at all times” sign fixed to a pallet. Turn right here for Skelton Tower, which you can see in the distance. You soon cross another path but carry on to the tower at SE 820929.

From the tower, turn left to follow the path along the edge of the fence. When the fence becomes a wall, continue along the outer edge of Yorfalls Wood. This path just appears as a dotted path on the OS map, not a Right of Way but is a clear path and being closer to the edge of the valley gives better views than alternatives. This is Access Land so you are not obliged to stick to Rights of Way.

When the wall comes to an end at a corner, a white arrow indicated the path bears left (SE 815919), still following a fence line. Nice views down into the valley here.

After a couple of hundred yards at most, look out for a walkers’ gate on the right with a yellow arrow and pass through this following the path downhill (SE 814916).

The path drops down to the railway line (SE 813917). Watch out for trains and cross into the trees. Follow the obvious path to a footbridge over Pickering Beck and up steps to a broad track. Turn left following a white on blue arrow for the Levisham Station walk.

Stay on this broad track to Levisham station. At SE 816910 you pass a water level measuring station for the beck.

At Levisham station, cross the tracks once more and walk a few yards up the road crossing a cattle grid. Shortly after this, turn off right following a public footpath fingerpost for Levisham.

Follow the steep climbing path through the trees. You exit into a field. Ignore the misleading path to the right but follow the hedge line up the field to a line of trees. At the top, go through a gate and turn right (SE 822910).

The path quickly forks. Take the left hand branch, following a fingerpost for “Levisham Village”.

At the top of the climb, cross a stile and follow the path as it bears left, following the wall on the left.

At the road, turn left and follow it into Levisham village.

If you need to buy any hiking equipment/clothing before your trip see the Hiking Store

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