Bransdale

About trip

Time: 2.5 Hours Terrain: Moderate. Description: Bransdale is about as remote as you can get into the depths of the North York Moors. Reached by a narrow unfenced road from Kirkbymoorside and Gillamoor, or an even lonelier one north from Helmsley, the dale shelters beneath the arms of Rudland Rigg and Bilsdale Moor. Forested slopes of Bransdale Moor to the north link the moorland arms to protect this south-facing hollow. Despite its altitude and remoteness, Bransdale manages to smile on the visitor who takes the trouble to explore this Shangri-la of the moors. Local tales tell of Hodge Hob, a hobgoblin who used to live on the moors above this dale when people were not so sophisticated as they are today. A friendly little chap, he would help in the kitchen or do odd jobs around the farm at night, if the farmer or his wife were kind enough to leave him a spot of bread and milk, but woe betide anyone who crossed him, because all kinds of mischief would break out. Sadly, Hob and his other goblin friends have gone and we are all poorer by their passing.