Rosedale Abbey and Blakey Ridge Circular Walk

A 6.2 mile (10.1 km) loop from Rosedale Abbey village, usually reckoned at about 3 hours 50 minutes, with roughly 1,020 feet (309 m) of climbing. It pairs a green valley start beside the River Seven with a long, level stretch of the old ironstone railway on Blakey Ridge.

The payoff is the contrast: Rosedale is a U-shaped valley enclosed by dramatic moorland ridges, and the railway walk puts you on the rim of it, level and unhurried, on a line that carried iron ore from the Rosedale mines until the industry closed in 1925.

• Head north out of the village alongside the River Seven, through fields and woodland, over footbridges near Low Thorgill Farm and the river.
• Climb out of the pasture onto open moorland and join the former railway formation on Blakey Ridge.
• Follow about 4 km of the old line, with broad views up and down Rosedale the whole way.
• Leave the railway by the substantial building at its southeast end, drop to Daleside Road, cross to a signed path and over fields to Cliff Lane, then back over the bridge into Rosedale Abbey.

A moderate country walk rather than a technical one, but the climb from the valley floor near 138 m to around 360 m on the ridge is done in one sustained pull. Expect stiles, gates, field edges, woodland paths, tracks, footbridges and a short section of road. The ridge track is broad and easy going; the valley approach and the descent back are where things get muddy or uneven, so bring footwear with grip that you do not mind getting dirty.

Start at the Abbey Stores in Rosedale Abbey (grid reference SE724959). There is on-street parking in the village, and roadside space around the village green if you park considerately, though it can be tight at busy times. The route follows public rights of way and countryside paths throughout.

Dogs are welcome under control. On the moorland open-access sections they need to stay on the rights of way, and should be on a lead or kept to heel. Keep them on a lead no longer than two metres from 1 March to 31 July, when ground-nesting birds are about, and around livestock at any time of year.

Bank Top has its own parking and puts you close to the calcining kilns and sweeping views, which makes it a good short alternative on a day when you do not fancy the full climb. It is a separate outing, not the start of this circuit. Back in the village, there are pubs and tearooms for the end of the walk.