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Thixendale21.5 miles (35km)from Malton orNorton on Derwent

1km

(0.6

mile)

5 Turn L and L againup the steep andnarrow lane toWharram-le-Street.

4 SA throughThixendale villageand turn L at the T-jct (following thebrown Byway sign).

3 Turn L at X-roadsalong the tree-linedroad and begin thelengthy descentthrough the dryvalley of Water Dale.

1 From Maltonstation, turn R. AtT-jct turn R over thelevel crossing andbear R (taking extracare) onto theStamford Bridge andPocklington road.Turn first L to passSt Nicholas Streetcar park. After thecar park turn R atthe T-jct and cycleout of Norton overLangton Wold.

2 SA at crossroads.Stay on windingroad through Birdsallvillage.

6 Pass the car parkfor the desertedmedieval village ofWharram Percy(look for theinformation board atthe top of the path).

7 At the bend followthe Trail fingerpostonto a track, then Lwhen you reachtarmac again. If thetrack is unsuitable,bear R to T-jct. Then(taking extra care)turn L down to X-roads in Wharram leStreet and L again.

8 Turn R and dropdown along thebumpy road overGrimston Browcattle grid.

9 Turn L at T-jct inNorth Grimston.

10 Turn R at X-roadsand retrace youroutward route backto Norton or Malton.

Starting from the connected smalltowns of Malton and Norton, thisride takes you through the attractiveestate village of Birdsall and a classicWolds dry valley to the secludedvillage of Thixendale. Enjoy wonderfulviews across the Vale of York as yourise up the Wolds western escarp-ment. Take in the stunning Vale ofPickering scenery stretching to theNorth York Moors as you descend onyour return. There's a railway stationat Malton.

Birdsall House © Cooper DouglasSu

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Pic

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Water Dale © Cooper Douglas

Grade: Hard · All on road,except for short track section

Start/finish: Malton station orSt Nicholas Street free car parkin NortonFor Malton town centre and publicloos from station, follow RailwayStreet across river, turn L then first R

Refreshments: Choice in Maltonand Norton; shop and pub inThixendale. Opening times vary

Public loos: Malton

Cycle shop & hire: Ralph Yates,Malton - 01653 693215

Map ©

Crown Copyright 2011. A

ll rights reserved. Licence 0100031673. Published by VHEY (from

the Big Skies Bike Rides guide) – ww

w.visithullandeastyorkshire.com

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Big Skies Ride info