Route Ref:  NYM08

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Don't start this ride expecting an easy time, especially if the conditions under wheel are soft and wet! I would also strongly recommend that you check the weather forecast first. If poor visibility conditions are expected, you should not attempt this route unless you are confident using map and compass! Although the bridleways are marked on the map and signposted, they become indistinct in many places. The moorland terrain south of Scaling Reservoir lacks prominent landmarks, especially the section from Clither Beck Farm to the A171 road. If your still determined to do this one, then read on.

Park at the Scaling Reservoir car park situated at east end. A brief section east on the A171 brings you to the farm road, which leads to High Tranmire Farm. From here it is a long but gentle "up". Only 300 feet in less than three miles but it feels like more., Follow this rough road as far as the bend where the bridle leads off over High Roxby Moor. This section is an easy to follow, double tracked bridleway but soft in many places. Follow this to a point just to the east of Bella Dale Slack. You will see a small rounded hillock to the south. Take the track south keeping the hillock to your right. If visibility is poor and you find yourself on a hard dolomite track, which drops and climbs sharply, then you have gone too far and missed the point where the bridleway turns south. The track remains easy to follow, but it does narrow to a small path and you will find the heather dragging and pulling you off you bike. At least I did, a number times! After much swearing and cursing you will reach the hard gravel track running from Danby Beacon along Lealholm Moor. Take a few moments here (if you have a clear day) to take in the view all around. On the day I did this, I was rewarded with a fantastic display of sunrays shining through dark heavy clouds over the "lumpy" landscape of great Fryup Dale.

The start of the bridleway to the lane above Oakley Walls was almost a small pond when I did this. The rest of the route to the lane is very difficult to follow. It is possible to carefully pick your way to the point where you need to make a south east turn. (Supposing you are going to be good and keep to the bridleway). I reckon this point is midway between a small tree to your right and a few flat boulders to your left. Now it really gets tricky. I missed the point where the bridleway branches into two, just at the small stream or ditch but managed to navigate to the lane at the more easterly of the two bridleways. The tarmac lane gives your legs a rest as you head west and contour around to the road junction, which takes you up to the bridleway to Clither Beck Farm. This is the best section of the ride. Easy riding on a firm but rocky surface with a couple of water splashes. Follow the track to a point where the wall corner meets the track just above the farm.

Here, Pannierman's causeway leads you over Elm Ledge road and onto the last section of the route, back to the A171. From the wall corner, the causeway is stone flagged and makes easy riding. Give a thought to the guys who laid it while you wonder why the hell they did. The route becomes difficult to follow about half a mile after the lane, but you should be able to negotiate your way on a narrow path to sandy slack. You will know when you have reached the "slack" as you probably have wet feet. I did. Find your way through the boggy area and cross the "Slack". At a point of about 100 yards after the "slack", the map shows the bridleway forking. I had planned to use the right fork to keep the off road percentage up. However, the left fork north is the most distinct and as I should not really be recommending a route over unmarked ground I suggest you take the left which brings you to the road junction on Liverton Moor. (Even this way you will have to get off and push over the last 200 yards or so!) If it's clear, you will be able to see the road signs on the horizon. At the A171 take a right and tarmac back to the car park. If your lucky the mobile snack thing will still be open.

Start Car Park GR 755127 - A171/Farm Road 757129 - road/Track Jnc 758124 - Track bend/nc near Bella dale Slack 745110 - Track Crossroads 743093 - Track Bend 740089 - Track/Road near High Walls Farm 744086 - Road Jnc 726084 - Road/Track 726087 - Wall Corner above Clither Beck Farm 713102 - Road 718107 - Sandy Slack - 722116 - A171 road 722122 - Car park 755127

9.8 Miles, 15.77 Kms, 679 Feet, 223 Metres, 1 Gates, 63% Off Road