Rosedale Abbey to Lastingham

Starting point  and OS Grid reference: Rosedale Abbey (SE 726960). Free car park on Heygate Bank – take the turn signposted Egton Bridge.		Ordnance Survey Map OL26 North York Moors – Western area and the tiniest part of OL27 North York Moors – Eastern Area (but see text). Buy these maps from List of OS Maps .
Distance:  8.4 miles
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.

Introduction: This walk takes you from the pretty village of Rosedale Abbey with its history of Christian heritage, centuries of farming and iron ore industry, to the equally picturesque Lastingham with its ancient church (more information about the church can be seen on my walk from Appleton-le-Moors). The outward route runs above the valley giving good views of the Dale and the return (which is shorter) is more direct, across the top of the moor, and past one of the best preserved of the many stone crosses which are dotted across the North York Moors.

The walk starts in Rosedale Abbey where there is street parking and a free car park, the starting point. Refreshments are available at cafes/pubs in Rosedale Abbey and at the Blacksmiths Arms in Lastingham.

Rosedale Abbey is at the heart of the North York Moors and the best way to get there very much depends on from which direction you arrive. It is best to consult an atlas or get directions via Google Maps via my Location of Start Points via the “My Walks” page.

The vast majority of this walk is on map OL26 and I would not purchase OL27 for this walk alone as the amount of the walk on it is tiny, just at the very edge.

Start: From the car park, turn right. At the crossroads, turn left and walk to the bridge over the River Seven. Cross the bridge ( SE 725958) in the direction of Hutton le Hole and at the White Horse Farm Inn, turn left on the track which passes in front of the pub (SE 724955). Continue along here (passing Holly Cottage) for about ¾ of a mile and look out for a wooden bridleway fingerpost on the right just before a farm (SE 732945).

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

As you climb up on to the moor, there are quite a jumble of paths. The description which follows is not the most direct route to Lastingham but is designed to maximise the views and to take you past the curiously named Abraham’s Hut cairn.

The path forks at a sign indicating Access Land. Go right.

Climbing steadily, at a crossroad of paths, go straight ahead.

When the path forks as you approach the top of the moor go left.

On reaching a broad track and turn left, even though this makes you feel as though you are going back the way you came – there is an old quarry on the left here. On meeting another, go left and stay on this track as it curves round to the right ignoring a left fork. You will pass the large conical stone cairn to your left, which is Abraham’s Hut (SE 739930), a scheduled ancient monument.

After almost 1.5 miles, as you approach a wall (SE742908), take a right hand fork descending into a little valley.This path becomes indistinct but as you descend into the little valley with its stream, look out for the clear path rising to the right on the opposite slope. Make your way across to it.

Climb this path to the gate with a yellow footpath arrow and go through this and the small copse of trees. When you get to the field, turn right and follow the right hand field boundary.

From the end of this field, the footpath passes across the centre of several fields. Landmarks in the form of gates/stiles/markers are not particularly clear in some cases but you should pick up sufficient in the centre of most.

Eventually you will cross a stream via a two plank bridge (SE 732906) – and if these are damp, take care, as I found to my cost they were very slippy!

Once across, bear left there are a couple of waymarkers on posts indicating the way to a stile in the left corner. Over this stile and you are in a “tunnel” of evergreen shrubs. Follow this tunnel and the footpath exits via another stile and stone steps into the road.

For the return leg to Rosedale Abbey, turn right here. However, if you want to visit Lastingham village first, turn left then right to see the church and/or to visit the Blacksmith’s Arms. Return to this point afterwards.

At the end of the road, you enter the moor via a gate. Go straight ahead indicated by a public bridleway fingerpost.

The route is now straightforward. Continue straight ahead, passing a four way fingerpost – your direction is for Rosedale Abbey. Ignore a turn to the right.

At the next fork, go left.

After passing Ana Cross (SE 725938), at a ‘T’ junction of paths, turn left.

You reach the road by a lay-by where there is a notice board telling you about some of the history of the iron-stone mining in the area. Turn right and walk down the famously steep road back into Rosedale.

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

All information on this site is given in good faith and no liability is accepted in respect of any damage, loss or injury which might result from acting on it.