Cold Moor, Great Broughton
North end of Cold Moor looking along its length.
Cold Moor, Great Broughton, Coast to Coast
Cold Moor runs north to south from the north boundary ridge of the North York Moors like a long finger, squeezed between the valleys of Raisdale to the west and Upper Bilsdale to the east. Its long spine has a wide ridge top, falling away steeply to the west and more gently to the east. At Cold Moor End, the south section of the Moor, the path descends gradually to the valley floor of Raisdale, which curves around to the east.
To the north the ridge top ends in a three-sided domed tail which attains 402m and falls steeply over Broughton Bank and through Broughton Plantation. The Coast to Coast path, coming from Kirby Bank on its western side cuts across its domed end, and continues by descending to Garfit Gap, a col between Cold Moor and Hasty Bank.
Coast to Coast Cold Moor
From the Coast to Coast path you can scan along the full length of Cold Moor and Raisdale East. The 402m summit of Cold Moor is attained by the Coast to Coast path. Another footpath leads from the summit along the top of the spinal ridge and descends directly to Chop Gate.
Cold Moor
The Coast to Coast path is stone flagged on the steepest part of its ascent of Cold Moor. The climb is sufficiently arduous to encourage you to pause awhile and look back to scour the Raisdale Valley as it extends due south. Raisdale is a fascinating valley with many hidden surprises such as the Three Howes and three further tumuli clustered on Cold Moor's ridgetop on the edge of the steep fall to Cold Moor Cote.
Cold Moor Ridge Path
The domed north end of Cold Moor is wrreathed with blueberry bushes for its entire area, only giving way to heather as you reach the tail of the Moor, where heather is the principal occupant.
Coast to Coast Summit Path
As Coast to Coast walkers attain the summit of Cold Moor the path begins to descend almost immediately towards Garfit Gap and Hasty Bank, at the head of Upper Bilsdale.
Descent to Garfit Gap
The north east face of Cold Moor is very steep and the path has to detour several times in order to slant the descent. Much of the path is paved but many walkers have trouble with this area, which is taxing on the knees when descending. On the opposite side of Upper Bilsdale Valley is Hasty Bank and the Wain Stones.
East Face Cold Moor
From Hasty Bank the east face of Cold Moor reveals its entirety. Bilsdale Beck lies secreted in the hidden valley revealed by the ribbon of trees. The woodland is not named but is located justs south west of Whingraves Farm. There is a tumuius sitting on the 390m secondary summit but it cant be made out from this distance.
North East Face Cold Moor
Descending from the Wain Stones exposes the route of the Coast to Coast path as it snakes its way up Cold Moor. The woodland encroaching from the north is Broughton Bank. Above Broughton Bank can be seen a line of spoil from the disused tips.
Three Howes Cold Moor
The Three Howes are set on the spinal ridge path, almost in the centre, of Cold Moor, although unseen in this image taken from the top of the Wain Stones on Hasty Bank. They are very close together and they together represent a Bronze Age bowl barrow cemetery. In addition to the Three Howes there is another bowl barrow about 1/4 mile further north on the ridge and another two about 200 yards further south, close together.
Cold Moor Bilsdale
From Urra, the summer heather carpets the east face of Cold Moor with a rich tapestry of purple, here seen rising above Bilsdale Woods. Patent at the foot of the Woods are a number of spoil heaps, left over from the disused quarries long since gone. The deciduous trees at the foot of the Bilsdale Valley provide a rich foliar canopy for the Bilsdale Beck.
Coast to Coast Trail Guide
Hiking the Coast to Coast
"Hiking the Coast to Coast" is a digitally enhanced eBook available from Apple Books for all people who have either a Mac, an iPhone or an iPad, and is designed to accompany you on your walk of the Coast to Coast path. The trail guide contains Ordnance Survey maps and other advanced mapping features, step by step directions, hundreds of colour photographs, details of the route, its conditions in different weather and research snippets relating to places of interest along the way.
