Route Ref:  NYM19

Back to North Yorkshire Moors Routes

This is an easy one for the inexperienced, but this short route also includes almost three miles of single track through heather moorland. Using the steam train on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway, adds a further interest, allows an a to b route and makes a pleasant change. However, it is not cheap. The single fare from Grosmont to Levisham is about £8.00 plus £2.00 for bikes. This ride can be made longer by taking the train to Pickering. The route from Pickering to Levisham is about 90% off road.

Leave the station and cross the track onto the west side and start along the narrow, new looking tarmac. Follow this all the way to Rapers Farm. There are good views along here down into the valley with the railway and across to Skelton Tower. At some stage the road becomes a dirt track, I think it was a little before Rapers Farm. At Rapers farm the track climbs steeply taking a hairpin bend on the way. This is the hardest bit of climb you will get on this ride. The other bit of climb comes on the road later on after Goathland. Shortly after the track has leveled a another track goes off to the right. Follow this for about half a mile before hitting a 'T' Junction. Turn left at this junction and then right at the next, about 400 meters at the field corner. At last you are now on a softer surface following the edge of the field. At the gate you start on a bit of single track around and across a couple of fields. The last field which is downhill is spoilt by the boggy bits which were get off and push when we crossed it. The last gate at the bottom brings you to a nice little stream and bridge , ideal for a stop and a bite to eat.

From the bridge the track (single track still), climbs gently to Simon Howe, crossing the Lyke Wake Walk route on the way. This is a wonderful stretch of single track, even better with the heather in bloom. At 'The Tarn' the track makes a right and then a left turning before dropping into Goathland.

At the road turn left, unless you want a look around the village, and follow the road towards Egton Bridge. At a point just opposite Castle Hill there is a bridleway which cuts the corner leading onto the road down Lease Rigg. At the bottom you will need to cross the ford over the Rivers Esk. It can get quite deep but there is always the chicken run via a narrow bridge if you must.!

Yes, an easy ride, but on a lovely sunny day with the heather in bloom and steam trains huffing and puffin along the valley, it is something quite different and it makes a change having a more relaxing mountain biking day. Oh, and I forgot my camera, so sorry no pics! I have decorated the page with stuff I picked up on the day.

Of course there is a tea room in Grosmont.

Start Levisham Station GR 817900 - House 813923 - Track Jnc 815929 - Rapers Farm 823938 - Track Jnc 823941 - Track Jnc 826951 - Track Jnc 820952 - Gate/Field Corner 820957 - Bridge/Stream 824962 - Simon howe 830982 - Track Bend 'The Tarn' 823000

12.1 Miles, 19.47 Kms, 1344 Feet, 441 Metres, 1 Gates, 50% Off Road