THE NORTH YORK MOORS - A Northern Coast to Coast Walk: From St Bees to Robin Hood's Bay - page 119

dly in a boggy depression, while the High Bride Stones make more of an effort to remain
upright in the face of the elements.
There are now two possible routes:
A Original route From the point where a path leads south to High Bride
Stones, cross the road to a small pull-in, and locate a narrow trod through
heather that leads towards the tumulus of Flat Howe on the high ground
of Sleights Moor. This is not always clear, but once Flat Howe comes into
view it is easier to follow.
From Flat Howe a similar narrow path descends to meet the A169 at the
top of Blue Bank (aim for a conspicuous large blue road sign), gaining ac-
cess to the roadside at a stile beside a gate.
Cross the road with great care, and go right, up the road, for 15m, and
then left to a gate giving onto a stony track. (The original line is 50m to
the right of the gate, but as this is now all Access Land, you can safely
use the nearest gate.) Continue down the track to meet the narrow and
twisting metalled road leading to the hamlet of Littlebeck.
B Revised route Ignore Flat Howe and continue along the minor road
for 700m beyond High Bride Stones, to a signpost opposite a large parking
area on the right. At the signpost, leave the road for a clear path through
heather that shortly meets the A169. Turn left along the verge beside the
A-road, crossing it when you can safely do so. After 500m, come to a sign-
post on the right pointing to a gate that gives onto a bridleway heading
left through heather to meet a stony track. Turn right onto the stony track,
now having joined the original route.
Press on down to the hamlet and start ascending the road leading away
from it. At a second bend go right, through a kissing-gate (signposted 'C-
to-C' and 'Falling Foss'). Enter the woodland to begin a delightful but brief
interlude in the company of Little Beck.
A good path leads on, negotiates a tributary stream, and leads to the
unexpected sight of a spoil heap. Such an apparition at this stage in the
walk arouses only a casual interest, and it is no more than it seems to be.
Pass it to reach a muddy path leading to a huge boulder on the left, known
as the Hermitage.
THE HERMITAGE
The Hermitage is carved from one piece of rock, and could provide shelter for a sizeable
group of visitors. It was constructed by George Chubb in 1790, and bears his initials.
Quite why it was built appears to be unrecorded - it may simply have been to serve