A pleasant moorland, forest fields and river valley walk of just under nine miles, actually in the Cicerone guide to The N. Yorks Moors, but with some additions here caused by some changes due to the passage of time. At the south end of Goathland beyond the Inn take the left of two Bridleways going South of West. Keep on, veering South past a Tarn in an unlikely hollow, then two mounds looking like burial chambers, to the big cairn on Simon Howe. The trig point is to the east. Turn West on the signed and wide Lyke Wake Walk track to the edge of the moor, where you are supposed to find a narrow path leading south to the forest. A plethora of vehicle tracks have literally muddied the situation here, but if you head to the left of the obvious (shooting) hut heading for the break in the forest just before it appears to turn south, a couple of bridges lead you to the break. Go up to the track and go right, keeping right at each junction, till the forest exit by Wheeldale Bridge. Cross this going north, then turn onto the “Roman Road” track, which is not thought to be Roman, as they didn’t favour flagstones, which you will see, and also they were a little straighter! Keep on the track continuation down into the valley, across a bridge and ascend by the Bridleway signed Hazel Head Farm. Carry on beyond for 500m or so and turn R on a signed Bridleway, through one field turn left, then after the next gate right (unsigned) to follow the field edge down then leftwards to a track and a bridge across West Beck. The path down from here along the Beck is not recommended by the Park Authority, (rough) so as an alternative go up the road and take the permissive path left, travelling above the valley till it meets a steep stepped path going down to the Beck. Right from here to the odd waterfall of Mallyan Spout, then some rough path to the easier steps back up to the road and the teashop/bar at the Inn.
Mallyan Spout from the south. The path north of Mallyan Spout
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