Jonathan Smith runs Where2walk, a walking company in the Yorkshire Dales.

Jonathan has written his own book, the Dales 30 which details the highest mountains in the Dales.

He also runs one-day navigation courses for beginners and intermediates. Join his Learn a Skill, Climb a Hill weekends in the Dales.

To find out more details on any of the above visit his website, where2walk.co.uk

SOME of my favourite walks involve taking the bus (or train) and walking back. This is one of them.

Taking in superb views across the Vale of York and varied scenery nearby it reverses one of the most interesting sections of the Cleveland Way.

The 89 bus leaves Osmotherley at 8.50 or 12.30 on its way to Stokesley (do check the times however) and takes 20 minutes to arrive at the small village of Carlton in Cleveland. Head south east along the road towards the hills and after a gradual start climb steeply to Carlton Bank. At a bend in the road as it reaches its highest point follow the track directly ahead on to open hillside. The path meets a second track after 200 m, turn right and climb steeply. You are now on the Cleveland Way/Coast to Coast long distance routes.

From here there is a 300m climb to the summit of Carlton Bank, marked by a trig point. At over 400metres the summit area offers views across Teesside that are far reaching and interesting, although I do prefer countryside to a vast urban sprawl. To the south lies the old gliding station. The path makes its way through bracken for the next three quarters of a mile before turning towards the west and starting to drop.

The views are now across countryside and are excellent. The path continues for a further mile dropping steadily apart from one small hillock before arriving at some trees.

Follow a forestry track west and downhill for a further 200m before exiting the woods and meeting another path. Turn left and follow the line of the trees till it meets a minor road.

Take to the road south for 200m past some houses on your right before leaving the road at a Cleveland Way signpost and continuing along a track heading south west. This enters the woods again and bends north west. Follow this farm track for half a mile before turning south west for a further half a mile to meet a second road at Scarth Nick. It is an ancient drovers road through the moors, the name derived from Old Norse meaning ‘cleft’ or ‘notch’.

Cross the road and climb steadily west on a good track for three quarters of a a mile till it reaches the western escarpment of the North York Moors with views over the Vale of York. The track divides, the quickest route to Osotherley is by taking the left fork but I advise the right one, which passes a trig point and remains for half a mile above the tree line.

The path does re-enter the trees for a short while but soon emerges on open pasture before turning left and finishing with a short climb before entering Osmotherley at its northern fringes.

Fact File:

Distance: Roughly nine miles

Height to Climb: 580m (1,900 feet)

Start: SE 456972. Park in Osmotherley and get the 89 bus from the centre..

Difficulty: Medium/Hard. This is an undulating walk but always sticks to good tracks.

Refreshments: Osmotherley has a choice of 3 good pubs.

Be Prepared:

The route description and sketch map only provide a guide to the walk. You must take out and be able to read a map (O/S Explorer 26) and in cloudy/misty conditions a compass (essential on this walk). You must also wear the correct clothing and footwear for the outdoors.

Whilst every effort is made to provide accurate information, walkers head out at their own risk.

Please observe the Countryside Code and park sensibly.