A walk from West Burton of bridges, valleys, a couple of villages and stunning views

On a very windy January morning I set off from home in West Burton, didn’t really know where I felt like walking but in the end had a walk with stunning views, easy valleys, a couple of villages and survived the wind! About five miles depending on detours.

Park your car in West Burton, at the waterfall area if space or by the green, please be aware that some houses need access when parking.  Walk in an easterly direction back out of the village in the direction of Leyburn, do not turn left on the B6160, bear right. Once out of the village take the road to the left to Aysgarth. Continue on until you get to Eshington Bridge, over the bridge leave the road and take the track straight in front of you, Eastfield Lane. At the sharp bend to the left go through the stile on the right here. Follow the path up the steep hill and continue through the fields until you come to a stile with a post giving you four options. Do not go through the stile but turn left and again follow the footpath which eventually comes out onto the road in between Thoralby and Aysgarth.

Turn left once onto the road and continue down the hill over Tomgill bridge and into Thoralby. Once amongst the houses, on the left hand side, take the second track to Low Green, cross over the stream via a little bridge, coming out again onto a little road, left and after a few yards then right following the finger post to Machell Hill. Out onto the road again, over Mill Bridge and continue to the junction of the B6160, keep to the left here for a few yards, then cross over the B6160 and follow the footpath through the fields coming out onto yet another track which leads down to Newbiggin. If you like, walk down into the village for a little explore or turn left up hill when you get to the junction of the ways.

Up hill now, with Forelands in sight, keep going into the plantation and turn left in the direction of West Burton. Walk past Forelands, across their driveway, into the next fields, be careful here, pick your way through as it can be quite wet, but always keep the stiles in view. Watch out for a stile on the left go through and walk down quite a steep hill, a bit of free for all down here but look to the ruined barn in the bottom and head for that. A stile will soon come into view, through here, over the footpath bridge and turn right. Now you’re on the home stretch, just keep going, through the stiles along side Little Beck and over the last wooden bridge at Town Head Farm in West Burton. Enjoy the view of the village, never ceases to amaze that I actually live here. A lovely walk, stunning views all the way and you can see where you’ve walked, and where you’re going to walk although you may not realise it until you get there!

As always, please plan your route beforehand, take the map, wear appropriate clothing and good footwear as you’ll be experiencing all sorts of terrain but most of all, as always, enjoy your walking!