North York Moors Walks

Roppa Edge

Date: 10th July 2005
Distance: 5.7 miles
Ascent: 320 feet
Time: 2 hours 20 minutes
With: Lisa
Start Grid Ref: SE564889

Walk Summary:
A short and easy walk along Roppa Edge on the northern end of Rievaulx Moor on a hazy summer's day.

Route Summary: Newgate Bank - Rievaulx Moor - Ayton Bank - Roppa Edge - Helmsley Bank - Tod Hill - Newgate Bank

Pictures:

1. Amongst the heather on Ayton Bank

2. Looking south from the trig point on Roppa Edge

3. Looking east towards Birk Nab

4. A spider

5. Bilsdale West Moor

6. A part of upper Bilsdale looking towards Cold Moor

7. Easterside Hill

Walk Detail: When we got to Newgate Bank the weather was cloudy, muggy and with a slight haze spoiling the longer distance views. One early highlight though was the sight of a wild deer grazing on the moorland about 60 yards from us as we emerged from the initial path in the woods.

Apart from the haze another disappointment was the fact that the plantation had crept up the bank thus obscuring what should have been consistently good views northwards to Bilsdale and the Cleveland Hills beyond. In particular this this was a shame when we reached the trig point. Indeed Hannon’s sketch of the view from the summit, from his book of walks in the North York Moors, was rendered obsolete by the encroaching trees.

The return along the foot of the bank was pleasant enough and was helped by the sun breaking through the haze. It was through occasional breaks in the trees on the return that one could really appreciate the local scenery and in particular the profile of the nearby Easterside Hill.

This was an easy and not particularly long walk, it could have been better but was still a pleasant enough diversion. Roppa Edge (which isn't named as such on the maps) has a good side on profile when seen from a distance but was not particularly 'edge' like on closer acquaintance.

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