Cleveland Way | National Trail

The road through Scarth Nick was once part of the 18 th century Drove Road used by Scottish drovers to herd cattle from Scotland to London and the industrial towns of the lowlands. The route however predates the drovers by many centuries. Early routes in this area would follow the dryer ground of the moorland edge wherever possible in order to avoid the marshy lowlands of the Vale of York. This old trackway was probably used by early man and most certainly by travellers from the 11 th century onwards. The troops of William the Conqueror passed this way to ‘harry the north’ in 1069. Edward II probably came the other way in 1322 hotly pursued by Robert the Bruce. No doubt many other characters from history have trod these stones!

For the next 10 miles or so from Scarth Nick to Bloworth Crossing the Cleveland Way follows the same route as the Lyke Wake Walk. Founded on October 1 st 1955 this 40 mile walk follows the west– east ridge of the North York Moors at their widest point. The walk became one of the most popular challenge walks in the country with, on occasion, groups of over a hundred walkers setting off from Osmotherley. Founded by local farmer and historian Bill Cowley, the walk attracted tens of thousands of walkers during the course of its 50 year history. The challenge was to complete the walk in under 24 hours, many did but many fell by the wayside! Although Bill died in 1994 the club continued but eventually closed down on its 50 th anniversary in 2005. Though a new one has formed in its wake.

From Scarth Nick the Cleveland Way swings around into the valley of Scugdale. Here in the 19 th century lived Henry Cooper, ‘The Giant of Scugdale!’ A local boy, Henry is reputed to have grown over 12 inches (30cm) in less than half a year and is said to have reached a height well in excess of 8 feet (2.4m) Too tall for farm work he joined a circus and in the 1880s toured the USA with the famous Barnum and Bailey circus. He died at the young age of 32.