A LONG walk this month to get your pulse racing as spring approaches.
Starting from Goathland the walk traverses Simon Howe Rigg before entering Cropton Forest at Wardle Green. To return to Goathland on the Roman Road which we know as Wade's Causeway.
The Roman Road is well-known to us Yorkshire folk, but why was it built and where exactly did it start and finish?
It was built as part of the Roman road system for rapid deployment of troops, in this case probably between the Roman fort at Malton, the training camp at Cawthorne and the east coast.
It is impossible to define the beginning and end of the road precisely but the start of the road could have been at Stamford Bridge, or maybe York.
The first evidence of a road is near Appleton-le-Street. It then headed north crossing the Rye at Newsham Bridge, then passing via Barugh to Cawthorne Camp.
Heading further north through Stape then following nearby the Tarmac road and Mauley Cross to climb up to the road we can see today known as Wade’s Causeway on Wheeldale Moor.
Although the basic condition of the road here is good the surface stones were taken many years ago for local building.
Still making its way towards the coast it passes through Julian Park and across Lease Rigg where there was once a Roman camp, to cross the River Esk near Grosmont.
It turns towards the coast now and becomes lost in definition, just a few clues near the Guisborough road.
So where did it go from there? North, south or east? It is almost certain it went east and most likely ended up at Whitby where the Roman fleet could supply the troops with the necessary equipment to continue travelling north along the coast or for incoming troops to have a road access to Malton and York. Or did they go to Whitby for a holiday and a bit of fishing? If so the road could have been the first holiday route in England.
Your route
Starting from the Goathland village car park turn right, then at the junction turn right again to walk past the shops. Left at the next junction, then at the church go right towards Egton Bridge.
Shortly go left across the grass onto a signed bridleway heading up and almost parallel to the road. At the wooden sign for three bridleways go left and climb to the ridge on an undefined path.
Over the ridge walk to the left of the tarn, then right on a rough track past the tarn which soon bears left to take you onto the moor and eventually to Two Howes Rigg. Keep the howes on your left and take the path straight ahead to Simon Howe which you can see on the horizon.
At Simon Howe enjoy the grand views for a while, then bear right for a few paces then left onto a track through the heather. You should be able to see a few wooden posts to guide you across the moor eventually passing a sheep bield on your way to Wardle Green.
The moor ends at Wardle Green crossing a beck and exiting through a gate. Climb up between the forest and a field then bear right. Cross a field to a gate then diagonally right to another gate eventually exiting through yet another gate onto a forest road. Cross the road and take the muddy bridleway opposite to soon arrive at the Forest Drive road. Go right here and follow the forest road for two miles. Just before the road junction you will see Mauley Cross on your right.
At the Tarmac road go right and continue along for about two miles. As you climb a steep hill look for an information board for the Roman Road on your right. Cross the stile here to walk along the old road and follow it all the way to another information board at the other end. Cross the stile then go right, then left then downhill to Wheeldale Gill. Right here then left across the second footbridge and right to gates. Take the path through the gates uphill to the road. At the road go left and at the road junction go right to walk back to Goathland.
The facts
Distance – 12 miles/19km
Time – Four hours
Start/parking – Goathland village car park, grid ref 830010
Best map – OS Outdoor Leisure 27
Refreshments – Cafes and pubs in Goathland
Public toilets – Goathland car park
Guide book – Walking to Crosses by J Brian Beadle, published by Trailblazer at £2.50, available Ryedale Rambler in Pickering, book shops, NYMR railway stations, visitor centres and tourist information centres
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