All the dales

This route from Thixendale to Hanging Grimston is often missed by local hikers, but it covers a number of glorious dales. Warning: there’s a one in six climb, but the views make it all worthwhile

- James Bradley

Start in Thixendale, and head for North Thixen Dale at the top of the village. This route will soon leave the Yorkshire Wolds Way, and you won’t come back on it until the return. Soon after the pig farm and the last house, you’ll drop down to a gate on the left. This is where Water Dale and Thixen Dale meet; angle to the left to join Chalklands Way. It is then a steady climb through two gates, and after nearly a mile, there is a gate on the right which you take into Milham Dale.

Climb for half a mile to another gate, turn left onto a wide track and follow this to the main road. This is an old Roman road, of which there are many in the Wolds. Now, looking ahead, you will have a great panoramic view of the Vale of York. Turn left, and lookout for a sign which will be on the left-hand side, a little less than half a mile after the turn. The field has a new fence, but there is an access gap left by the farmer because this is a public path.