Danby Beacon

Map: OS Explorer OL27 North York Moors Eastern Area

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Start point: Scaling Reservoir car park 

Note re car park - as you enter there is a sign notifying when the gate gets locked. On a Saturday this was 3pm which, whilst not that early, is early enough to make you think about it towards the end of the route. Alternatives include parking at Danby Beacon but that means finishing on an uphill, just north of Leaholm Side on the moor road but, again, an uphill finish. You could probably also park on the road side in the Green Houses / Stonegate area which would give a better finish.

Also note - a ride for a dry period as the river crossing is on stepping stones which can be come submerged and there is no alternative.

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Route: From the Scaling Dam carpark, climb the stile in the north-east corner and push bikes over the rough ground to the road to the East. It is NOT worth the risk of crossing and riding the main road for about 300m, this is VERY busy.

Once on the farm road, follow it South to the farm and then follow the bridleway South. Follow this downhill to a small stream crossing, steeply up (really tested me with the TowWhee on this hill!) and continue across the moor before dropping into Green Houses. Follow the road to the end and turn right, then left and the road drops steeply before climbing steeply up the other side to a farm. Take a right that is a long straight road and turn right at the end. Follow the road to the second bridleway on the right (a farm track). This drops steeply to the farm (take care as the corners have loose gravel which can be tricky for smaller riders with smaller wheels) and then continues on a track to the river. Cross the river by stepping stones or by riding in lower water conditions (apparently the line is a wide arc to the down river side, not straight over). Climb up to a junction to turn right and dropping steeply back to the river. Although not technical, this descent is steep and loose gravel which is unnerving on small wheels and the Little Chaps found this to be the trickiest part of the day. Opportunity for a picnic by the river once over the footbridge depending on what time you get here. A steep climb up and over the railway to the road. Follow the road to Leaholm Side and turn right steeply uphill then left onto a more pleasant road. Follow this to the moor where the tarmac stops and the moorland track starts. Continue straight ahead until at an obvious junction with a track running east-west. Turn left here and continue up to the summit of Danby Beacon for cake and views (both important!). Retrace your tracks East for less than a kilometre to the bridleway heading north. The Little Chaps loved this bit of classic moorland riding. It's not hard or technical or that fast but is downhill and flows just nicely. The route is harder to follow in a middle section with junctions all over the place - you stay right initially and have to ignore a tempting right turn on a good double track. A small climb and you can see the end point across another singletrack section back to the farm road we started on. Retrace your steps to the carpark. 

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Verdict: a great loop covering some classic moorland tracks. Nothing too technical for younger riders with smaller wheels although there are some sharp, steep climbs (get a TowWhee!). Also some loose tarmac descents that need care.

We had a great day out on this one.

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