Variant Route Descriptions - A Northern Coast to Coast Walk: From St Bees to Robin Hood's Bay - page 172

intake wall. Go left, above the wall, keeping ahead as far as Moorcock Cot-
tage, where the path descends to farm buildings at Thirns. Shortly after
the farm, when the path forks, take the right branch, climbing gently.
A fine moorland path ensues, keeping ahead as far as the intervening
gully of Cringley Bottom. Cross the gully with care and continue through
heather past Surrender Smelt Mill to Surrender Bridge.
Keeping on the north side of Old Gang Beck, a good track continues far
into a region of industrial dereliction to a gate near in-flowing Flincher Gill.
Turn left across a bridge spanning the gill and press on, rising steadily to
the highest part of this broad and barren moorland crossing.
As Gunnerside Gill is approached, so the scenery becomes even more
confusing. A large cairn marks the departure, left, of a good track down
towards Gunnerside Gill (page 230), meeting a well-trodden terraced path
still some distance above the valley bottom, and in an area of considerable
spoil and debris. Continue down to the remains of Blakethwaite Smelt Mill.
Cross the stream by a bridge and start climbing by a zigzag path to reach
the top of North Hush, before swinging away and gently upwards to arrive
at a broad moorland shooters' track, near a group of modest cairns. Go
right, along the track, ignoring its diversion towards the summit of Rogan's
Seat, continuing ahead, still on a broad track, descending into Swinner
Gill. Near more smelt mills, cross a fine arched stone bridge and pass be-
neath the cliffs of Buzzard Scar, before the path swings round to, first, an
old smithy, and then the ruins of Crackpot Hall (page 227).
Just below Crackpot Hall the main line through Swaledale is rejoined.

4 THE VALE OF MOWBRAY
Bolton-on-Swale to Danby Wiske

Distance 10km (6¼ miles)

Height Gain None

At St Mary's Church go left along the lane to a stile on the right, just after
a large building in private grounds. In the ensuing field, follow a path, left,
which escorts lazy Bolton Beck round the field edge to a step-stile. In the
next field, follow the edge, and do the same again in the next field to reach
a dilapidated stone bridge on the left. Cross the bridge and a stile, and
then walk downstream to meet the access track to Layland's Farm. Cross