Route Ref:  NYM06

Back to North Yorkshire Moors Routes

We start this ride at Bank Foot just one mile east of Ingleby Greenhow. There is room for car parking at the side of the track leading to the incline. The ride starts by passing the farm, through the forest gate and heading towards Ingleby Bank.... eeerm ....up! This track is very rocky and with a couple hair pin bends. We had to push in a few places. Once you get to the track junction, turn right (south) and the going is now much easier on hard track. Follow this track now all the way past Bloworth Crossing to the track junction to head down into Bransdale. There are good views to the south west of the Cleveland Hills all the way to the incline top, otherwise you may get a bit bored on this track. The track down into Bransdale is a good bit of downhill but spoilt by a gate so far down.

If you are a walker you can take the path across the valley via Bransdale mill. The rider turns right at the road and follows the road around the head of the valley. The road starts to climb after the cattle grid as the you turn south. Follow this road for the climb, up to where the road bends on the spur of Bransdale Ridge. Here, a track starts from the road, leading north . Follow this track to Stump Cross and then on to Crook Staff Hill. The route does get a little claggy in places. From the cairn, follow the bends and a short climb to the cross roads on Cockayne Ridge. You could take the slightly shorter route north, but I preferred to drop down east into Bransdale Head and crossing the stream before climbing back up to Bloworth crossing.

Turn left at Bloworth and follow the old railway around the curve to the incline top. Whenever I am here I stop. Not for the view but to try and imagine all the activity that was going on here when steam engines were hauled up and down the incline. I always feel there is a ghostly magic about the place, as if those old railway men are still there and watching me pass by. Well now for the bit you have been anticipating....the incline downhill. Sorry it's spoilt by ...you guessed...a GATE. After the gate you have a fast two miles back to where you left the car at Bank Foot.

Start: > Bank Foot GR 592061 - Track Jnc 599061 - Track Jnc Tidy Brown Hill 601050 - Track Jnc Burton Howe 607031 - Bloworth Crossing 615014Track Jnc 640974 - Cow Sike 625981 - Cattle Grid 616983 - Road/Track 609962 - Stump Cross 606981 - Crook Staff Hill 599995Track Jnc 607007 - High Bloworth Beck 615010 - Bloworth Crossing 615014 - Incline Top 608025 - Bank Foot 592061

17.3 Miles, 27.84 Kms, 2302 Feet, 755 Metres, N/A Gates, 37% Off Road