Yearsley Moor Wood (3) Greystone Rigg West, Higher Fish Ponds, Elder Slack circular

This 2¾ miles walk takes a leisurely 2 hours without any stops, leaves Newton Hill along the undulating high trail to Whinny Cross Hill. Then down the western side of Greystone Rigg, on the left side of the ravine. The trail down to the higher fish pond is a gentle descent. Then part way along the southern edge of ‘The Wilderness’ to Elder Slack. The ascent up Elder Slack to Windygates driveway at the top of Newton Hill is along a grassy-dirt track which is moderate, but can be slippery when wet.

There are three parking areas - two on the Yearsley side (1) on Windygates driveway off North Moor Lane on Newton Hill, and (2) along Well Lane on Whinny Cross Hill. One on the Gilling East side, off the B1363 at the end of Pottergate (3) on the Ampleforth Abbey Estate. The OS Explorer 300 – Howardian Hills and Malton (Yorkshire Wolds North) map covers the area.

Yearsley Moor Wood of 3,000 acres is owned by Ampleforth Abbey Estate, with Forestry England managing the mix woodland of Western red cedar, Scots pin, Norwegian spruce and various other fir trees. Many oak, sycamore, ash, beech and holly trees thrive and line many trails. A Howardian Hills gem and a must visit for lovers of peaceful woodlands with diverse habitats and varied interests. Popular with dog walkers, hikers, cyclists, horseback riders and joggers, so respect other users and the habitats. It is an ideal family day out with lots to amuse those with little legs. As summer ends flower aromas fade, ceding to autumn colour and an array of fungi. In winter dormancy, frost and snow decorate the trees for a soft romantic feel. When spring stirs, birds sing and squirrels bark as they flit between trees. Wildflowers fill paths as bees, butterflies and ladybirds feed. Some paths run by brooks emanating from springs adding to the woodlands sounds.

In medieval times a deer park existed in the north, now called Park Wood. Over the centuries much deforestation made way for agriculture. In the 18th Century, the Fairfax family notably remodelled the woodland into its current form, creating the area called ‘The Wilderness’ as a haven for wildlife and birds, and added the fish ponds where ducks, swans, cormorants and dragonflies can be found. When remodelling the bulk of native trees were replaced with coniferous trees.

There is a choice of route options. Start out along one feature and return by another - (1) Ruddmoor Rigg, (2) Shepherd's Rigg, (3) Elder Slack, (4) Newton Hill, (5) Calliger Rigg, (6) Greystone Rigg, (7) Middle Rigg and the west of Far Slack, or (8) the east of Far Slack down to Piper Hill. All the trails lead to one of the fish ponds, or to an area called 'The Wilderness'.

Newton Hill and Piper Hill have a low moderate gradient. Whilst Callinger Rigg and Greystone Rigg are steeper as the close contour lines indicate, their ascent requires more energy, and produce a bit of perspiration. Descending these in wintry months may require care. Shepherd's Rigg, Ruddmoor Rigg and Elder Slack are moderate, their ascents take low effort but still generate perspiration. Paths are not named, or numbered, not all junctions are waymarked.

Route - Turn by Turn
01. 0.00 miles, SE 583 752
Follow Windygates driveway track to a gate on the right. Follow the 250 yards to a NYCC waymarked trail on the left. After about 230 yards turn right on the NYCC waymarked path which leads to a stony track.

02. 630 yards, SE 588 753
Enter the path directly ahead that runs along the west side of Gilling Moor to a 4-way junction. Turn right along the central Gilling Moor path that leads to a stony track.

03. 0.66 of a mile, SE 588 752
Turn right for ¼ a mile towards Whinny Cross Hill taking the 2nd stony track on the left, before the stream. Turn left along the west side of Greystone Rigg. Follow the path to its end.

04. 1.20 mile, SE 593 755
Turn left to a T-junction. Turn right for ¼ of a mile to a fork junction. Bear left up to a track on the right with a bench.

05. 1.40 miles, SE 595 758
Follow the track passing the higher fish pond, and then enter the ‘Wilderness’ area. After 150 yards cross to a parallel path on the left. After 50 yards at a fork follow a path on the left for 20 yards, the path bends left to ascend the hill to a stony track.

06. 1.70 miles, SE 591 758
At the stony track, follow the path directly ahead for just short of ½ of a mile to a right hand bend with a grassy-dirt track on the left with a footbridge over a spring brook.

07. 2.00 miles, SE 591 759
Turn left to follow the trail through the trees for about 230 yards. The official path is impassable with over growth, users have created this trail. Ascend Elder Slack to a 4-way junction.

08. 2.20 miles, SE 585 755
Turn right, follow the trail to a junction with a stony track. Turn left back to the start at Windygates driveway.