Cropton Forest Ramble

A loop of 4.5 km (2.8 miles) starting and finishing at Forest Holidays Cropton, following red waymarkers. Mapped versions of the same circuit come out slightly longer, around 4.7 km, so treat the distance as approximate.

From the Forest Holidays Cropton access the way runs through mature pine conifer plantation and stretches of open woodland heath on forest roads and tracks. The route reaches its high ground near Spiers Bank, and descriptions of this area mention views across the Rosedale valley and toward Spaunton Moor, though how much you see will depend on tree cover and conditions where the waymarked line actually runs. The walk then returns through the forest.

Rated easy, with a recorded time of roughly an hour and a quarter for the full circuit. Underfoot it is forest road and track, with short climbs rather than sustained ascent. Total elevation range is modest, in the region of 60 m, with sampled ground broadly between about 150 and 213 m above sea level.

Much of the walk is enclosed by conifer plantation, with more open feeling where the woodland heath breaks up the tree cover. Open and higher sections are likely to be more exposed to wind and weather, so a windproof layer is sensible.

The plantation gives interest at any time of year, and the balance between shaded woodland and open heath will change with the light and the season. Forest tracks can hold water and mud after wet weather, so footwear with grip is worth choosing. Conditions and any forestry work can change access on tracks, so check locally before setting out.

The most photographed points are the Spiers Bank viewpoint, the track near Spiers Bank, and the surrounding woodland. Subjects are mainly the planted conifer blocks and the more open woodland heath, plus the possibility of roe deer at quiet times of day.

Start from Forest Holidays Cropton, Cropton, Pickering, YO18 8ES, and pick up the red waymarkers. Dogs are allowed. Keep them under control around other forest users and wildlife. How busy the route feels is hard to predict. It begins at a holiday location, so the opening stretch may see more foot traffic than the wider forest sections, but no crowd counts are available.