Fat Betty; high on the moor above Westerdale
Blog Post
Winter walking in the North York Moors
Brenda Clough • Feb 18, 2022
A wintry scene near Westerdale in the North York Moors National Park
Two of our friends, John and Sue, contacted us in November to say that they had found a very reasonably priced cottage in the North York Moors with a wood burning stove. What more could you want? Walking at this time of year can be very enjoyable and exhilarating, just wrap up warm and choose your routes well.
So, after delaying our arrival for a day due to storm Arwen, we negotiated snowy roads into the small village of Westerdale in the northern part of the North York Moors. It was a strange week with alternating snowy days and wet days with the lying snow disappearing overnight.
The first day was probably our longest walk. It was a snowy day and we walked directly from the cottage up over high ground to Castleton Rigg and along to Fat Betty, a white cross, and back down the Esk Valley Walk which made for some interesting route finding in the deep snow.
A full ford near Westerdale - but still okay for the locals!
A short walk to Castleton and back followed on the next day, which was wet at times. There are quite a few fords in this area of the country and they can be impressive after heavy rain or snow melt. They’re even more impressive when you see the locals driving through them – they seem to know exactly the depth at which they become impassable!
Walking to Waites Moor on a snowy day
The icy roads and snow returned on Thursday, so the vehicles stayed put and we headed southwards to Waites Moor and along a disused railway line high up on the moor. The wind was cold so the descent to the valley was very welcome. Along the way, we encountered a very friendly giant pig!
Roseberry Topping
Our final walk was to the very dramatic and distinctive Roseberry Topping and the Captain Cook monument. The snow from the day before had disappeared, so it was back to green grass! The view northwards from the summit of Roseberry Topping is very impressive as it is on the very edge of the moors.
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