North York Moors Walks
Blakey Topping & Malo Cross
Date: 9th February 2013
Distance: 5.2 miles
Ascent: 877ft
Time: 1 hours 50 mins
With: On my own
Start Grid Ref: SE852936
Walk Summary:
An interesting little walk visiting the small shapely top of Blakey Topping and Malo Cross.
Route Summary: Saltergate Car Park - Old Wife's Way - Newgate Brow - Newgate Foot - Blakey Topping - Newgate Foot - Malo Cross - Whinny Nab - Saltergate Brow - Saltergate Car Park
Pictures:
1. The farm track known as 'Old Wife's Way'
2. The snow covered path along Newgate Brow
3. Blakey Topping from Newgate Brow
4. Blakey Topping is owned by the National Trust
5. Whinny Nab from Blakey Topping
6. Enjoying the view from Blakey Topping
7. The unexpected sight of a llama
8. Malo Cross below Whinny Nab
9. Looking back at Blakey Topping from Whinny Nab
10. Saltergate Bank
11. Levisham Moor from Saltergate Bank
12. Double Dyke
Walk Detail: This was my second walk in a day, starting from the same parking area, on what was a glorious day for walking. Whilst my earlier walk had been in and around the dramatic Hole of Horcum, this walk headed in the opposite direction to visit Blakey Topping, Malo Cross and Whinny Nab.
Initially following the access road known as 'Old Wife's Way' I then continued along the surprisingly snow covered path along Newgate Brow before doubling back down a slanting path to reach the farm at Newgate Foot. From Newgate Foot I made a 'there and back' detour on to the short but steep sided hill called Blakey Topping. Rising almost island like the top was surprisingly narrow but featured sweeping views east across the northern expanse of the North Riding Forest Park.
Back at Newgate Foot I then followed the path north across a number of fields between the steep flanks of Hazelhead Moor on one side and the plantations on the other. Along the way I passed, much to my surprise, a lone llama. It was completely unconcerned by my presence and after a brief glance at me went back to nonchalantly munching on grass.
After Blakey Topping the next main objective of the walk was to visit Malo Cross which, despite a definite lean, seemed to be in fairly good nick for something that is a few hundred years old! Rather than following the exact course of the bridleway up on to Saltergate Bank I took what looked like a fairly well trodden path directly up on to Whinny Nab from where there was an excellent view back south towards Blakey Topping. From the top of Whinny Nab it was then a simple walk along the rim of Saltergate Bank back to Old Wife's Way enjoying all the while good views out across Fylingdales Moor.
Having decided at the last minute to add this walk on to my earlier one I didn't have as much time to dawdle and take any video footage or a huge amount of photos. Consequently, even though this route was only half a mile shorter and actually had slightly more (and much steeper) ascents, I did this walk an hour quicker.
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