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Hole of Horcum Walk
The Hole of Horcum

Statistics:
Horcum Hole map
Start:
Levisham (just off the A169)
Start (OS ref):
SE833906
Map (1:25,000):
OL27 North York Moors East
Parking:
Plenty of roadside parking in Levisham
Distance:
6.5 miles (10.5 km)
Time:
2 - 3 hours
Difficulty:
Moderate
Climbing:
347 metres
Hazards:
None
Refreshments:
The Horseshoe Inn at Levisham or Pickering at 6 miles from the walk
Route:

Summary:
This walk is a classic that begins in the quiet village of Levisham. It tracks down into a deep valley to Levisham Beck. The beck leads you upstream to the famous Hole of Horcum a deep gorge that is viewed by thousands every year. This is due to its close proximity to the A169 Pickering to Whitby road from which you can park up at the purpose built lay-by and admire the spectacular views. From here the Fylingdales radar station can also be seen. Quite simply there are fabulous North York Moors views to be taken in here. From the viewpoint my walk continues onto Levisham Moor a quiet and breathtaking place. The moor leads you back into Levisham.

elevation profile
The Story of the Walk:

Levisham
Start the walk by parking up in Levisham village. The village (picture 1) is just off the A169 and is a dead-end so after the walk be prepared to leave by the road from which you arrived.


Being at the dead-end of a road Levisham is very quiet and I wouldn't imagine the routine of village life to be much different to the sleepy state I found it in on a fine late February morning. Apart from drinking hours in the Horseshoe Inn, the village pub perhaps.


The walk is started by walking from the village following the road you have just come along and after passing the last houses dropping down the road until you reach a direction post on the left hand side pointing you to a path running alongside the hotel boundary hedge, follow this path rather than the one down into woods and the valley bottom.


The next two miles are spent on the lovely and well kept path high on the side of the valley as you wind your way gently upstream along Levisham Brow and on towards Horcum Slack.


From Horcum Slack pass Low Horcum and then the narrow deep sides begin to open out. You soon begin to realise the magnitude of the massive gorge that is the Hole of Horcum. In what seems no time at all you have walked from a narrow valley bottom into a wide expanse 100 metres below the rest of the moorland.


Horcum Hole is simply spectacular and is definitely a must do walk on the North York Moors. The whole walk for me so far had been enchanting and at Horcum Hole the magnificent chasm I stood in was a thrilling sight.


All too soon you must climb your way out of Horcum Hole but at least you can look back down at all its splendour when you are catching your breath up on the top.


Once breath is regained then take a westerly course onto Levisham Moor. As you walk further onto the moor the distance drowns away the noise of traffic on the A169, the Hole of Horcum's one drawback. Enjoy the next hour walking the two miles of moorland back to Dundale Rigg


From Dundale Rigg you can follow a bridleway back to Levisham. An alternative that adds a mile is to follow the signs to Dundale Griff another valley walk that rejoins Levisham Brow. Either way is delightful and leads you home to the end of a great half-day walk.

If the pub is open celebrate the walk with a drink!
The village of Levisham. The pub is straight ahead
Hole of Horcum
Looking towards the Hole of Horcum from Levisham
Levisham Moor
Sheep while their time away on Levisham Moor

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