This week we made our way to Dalby Forest which is on the edge of the North York moors. I had been invited by the Yorkshire Tots website to do a review of the Stick man trail which you’ll be able to read on their website shortly. I’ve wanted to go there for ages and whilst we were there we took the opportunity to discover the other walking trails on offer. The drive for us from near Leeds takes nearly an hour and a half, although we did have fun with the satnav taking us beyond where we wanted to be. We were that excited and busy chatting about our day that we completely missed the brown tourist signs!
As soon as you turn into the drive taking you into the forest the scenery is really pretty. The kids were getting excited in the back seats. We stopped at the first car park where the visitor centre is but there were signs for other car parks further into the forest should you wish to explore some more.
As soon as you turn into the drive taking you into the forest the scenery is really pretty. The kids were getting excited in the back seats. We stopped at the first car park where the visitor centre is but there were signs for other car parks further into the forest should you wish to explore some more.
Dalby forest has a Visitor centre with café, shop and there’s a bike hire place and another café in a little courtyard. There’s lots of bike routes and a few walking routes too. We discovered after we came home that there’s also an adventure playground!
Our first walk was quite short so just for fun we picked a coloured route off the information board and decided to follow that for our second walk. My only criticism is that there isn’t a lot of information about the walking routes, some are marked with their distance but others don’t tell you how long they are. We would have also liked to have done a longer route but maybe there’s more next time to discover!
You can see the route here that I recorded using the Viewranger app on my phone. Although a tiny walk it started with a rather steep incline and us cursing Daddy whose had chosen this particular route! Despite being just feet away from a little road we felt deep in the forest as we climbed a path carpeted with pine needles. I think it has to be the most narrow, secluded path we have found ourselves on during our walking adventures and the kids weren’t entirely sure we knew where we were going. It was well marked and although there are also cycle routes nearby should you come to a cross roads with these you are well warned and there is no danger of getting squashed!
Our first walk was quite short so just for fun we picked a coloured route off the information board and decided to follow that for our second walk. My only criticism is that there isn’t a lot of information about the walking routes, some are marked with their distance but others don’t tell you how long they are. We would have also liked to have done a longer route but maybe there’s more next time to discover!
You can see the route here that I recorded using the Viewranger app on my phone. Although a tiny walk it started with a rather steep incline and us cursing Daddy whose had chosen this particular route! Despite being just feet away from a little road we felt deep in the forest as we climbed a path carpeted with pine needles. I think it has to be the most narrow, secluded path we have found ourselves on during our walking adventures and the kids weren’t entirely sure we knew where we were going. It was well marked and although there are also cycle routes nearby should you come to a cross roads with these you are well warned and there is no danger of getting squashed!
The walk varied from steep and narrow, deep in the trees paths to wider open spaces. The scenery was very dramatic in places and the fir trees smelt amazing. We soon looped our way back around and came out on familiar territory to a path we had seen earlier and bumped into an old friend!
We all loved this area and I would like to find some longer walking routes around here. It is a long way to drive though for a short walk, and I think it might be somewhere to visit if you’re holidaying in the area or on your way to/from the coast.
We all loved this area and I would like to find some longer walking routes around here. It is a long way to drive though for a short walk, and I think it might be somewhere to visit if you’re holidaying in the area or on your way to/from the coast.
We were given complimentary parking passes but for cars to park all day it is £8. All views are my own.
Have you a walk suggestion for me? If so comment below or come say hi on my Facebook page and if you don’t want to miss my next blog you can follow me on Bloglovin’.
Have you a walk suggestion for me? If so comment below or come say hi on my Facebook page and if you don’t want to miss my next blog you can follow me on Bloglovin’.
