Route: from the Close heading uphill past the station to the Station Inn and right onto the Helm, crossing the ridge at the northerm end, descending to the tarn and then steeply down to find a gate out onto the road near Helmside Farm.Taking the footpath to Underhelm Farm and across fields with a good view of a substantial Victorian air valve/syphon well to join the B6254 and heading east for 200 metres. There turning right towards Strickley and then heading left uphill over a hillock along the edge of a field with views from the top. Descending to cross a field, a footbridge and then another field to reach Blease Hall and, along a track and then besides fields meeting first Gloria and Paul and then the Williams family and then reaching Bleasehall Wood at peak bluebell season and running through.
From here along rutted fields by St Sunday’s Beck to cross a footbridge, uphill to Stang and a little along a road before taking the first footpath to the right, due north, rising to gain a view of the Helm and then descending towards the rather diminished tarn. Rising uphill to the road under the Helm, climbing to the summit of the Helm from the east and along the ridge to descend home.
Conditions: a much better weekend than forecast and a fine sunny day, 17C.
Pub?
