Hawnby Circular

A closed loop of 2.7 miles (about 4.3 km) starting and finishing at the Anya's Wood parking area near Hawnby, in the North York Moors. Allow around 1 hour at a steady pace, with 123 m of ascent and 119 m of descent between 137 m and 218 m. It is graded easy, but that means short rather than effortless.

This is the short Hawnby circular from Hazel Heads. The longer Hawnby Hill and Hawnby Round circuits are separate routes, and this one does not go over the summit of Hawnby Hill.

• Set off through Anya's Wood to its northeastern corner and cross a bridge.
• Drop down through woodland to the River Rye and a second bridge.
• Follow waymarkers through farmland and past ancient trees, then take a steep pull up to Brewster Hill, where the outbuildings are unusually ornate.
• Descend through woodland and rough pasture, cross another bridge, and climb through the farm to the road at Blow Gill, with its old lime kiln.
• Walk about 150 m up the road, cross a stile on the right and a field over Blow Gill, then climb through woodland.
• Cross a fence for a short moorland stretch past the Old Chapel, turn south at the top, follow woodland past the old farm, and come back through open grassland to the road and Anya's Wood.

About 83% of the route is on path, with short sections of asphalt, dirt road and rougher forest trail. Expect uneven ground, bridges, stiles, rough pasture and fields, plus that one steep climb. The distance is modest, so most reasonably active walkers will manage it comfortably, but it is a hilly countryside walk rather than a level or step free one. Grass and woodland sections can be slippery after rain, so boots with grip are worth having.

The variety is the payoff: riverside and beck, mixed woodland, farmland with old trees, open grassland and a brief taste of moorland with wider views from the high point around 218 m. Two birds are worth slowing down for:

The lime kiln at Blow Gill, the Old Chapel and the decorative outbuildings at Brewster Hill are the built highlights, and all photograph well in low, angled light early or late in the day.

• Dipper at the River Rye bridge, bobbing on rocks in the shallows.
• Pied Flycatcher around the beck at Blow Gill.

Use Hazel Heads Car Park, the Anya's Wood parking area, at grid reference SE 529 928, near postcode DL6 3QF. It is an informal grassy area rather than a formal surfaced car park, so when empty it can look like a plain field. Look for the Anya's Wood interpretation sign by the wall to confirm you are in the right place. Approach roads are narrow and rural, so allow time and drive accordingly.

One easy mistake to avoid at the start: the way onto the route is not through the plantation gate. The right of way stile sits about 50 m farther north along the road, or you can pick up the walk through Anya's Wood from the parking area.

It is a short loop with a lot packed in, which also means frequent changes of surface, several stiles and gates, and a climb that will have you breathing hard. If you want a gentle, flat stroll or a big summit day, this is not it. If you want an hour of varied Rye valley walking with good chances of river birds, it delivers.