Danby Dale, Blakey and Westerdale (Esk Valley Walk 1)

From Castleton the walk heads into Danby Dale and the western dales, climbs to Blakey Ridge and stays high across open moorland, then swings around Westerdale and the upper River Esk and its source becks. The return passes Rosedale Head and the Fat Betty white cross before dropping back to Castleton. The payoff is the sustained high ground: sweeping dale views on the way up, wide moorland horizons along the ridge, and the sight of the Esk shrinking to peaty becks near its head.

Officially graded difficult, with 1,430 ft of ascent and 1,480 ft of descent, a high point of 1,362 ft and a low point of 427 ft. Surfaces vary between asphalt, dirt road, moorland trail and narrower path, with rough and possibly boggy stretches and several road crossings. Shelter is limited once you are on the tops, so the day is exposed for long periods and navigation matters in poor visibility. Carry what you need for the full distance.

Heather moorland dominates the high sections and is at its most photogenic when flowering in late summer. Fat Betty, the squat white cross at Rosedale Head, is the standout landmark, with an optional short diversion to Young Ralph nearby. Look for the medieval monastic grange remains at Esklets and the waste tips left by historic jet mining. Moorland birds include merlin and golden plover, and the ground is managed red grouse habitat.

This is a public promoted route managed by the North York Moors National Park Authority, and no special permit requirement was found in the authoritative route material. Dogs are allowed under strict control: keep to public rights of way on the moor, use a short lead or keep to heel near livestock, and use a short lead from 1 March to 31 July to protect ground-nesting birds.

The start is Castleton Moor station on Station Lane, off Langburn's Bank. National Rail lists no parking spaces at the station, so arriving by train or planning your parking elsewhere in advance is sensible.

If 15.2 miles is too much commitment, the next Esk Valley stage runs from Castleton to Lealholm and is about 7.3 miles and linear, with the wider multi-stage route continuing on to Whitby.