Short practice moorland ride for city mountain bikers or walking route
can be done the other way for a longer free wheel.
Old Gang Mines, Great Pin Seat and Reeth High Moor, North Yorkshire -
About 6 miles.
Start at Surrender Bridge NGR. SD 989 999 on Feetham to Langthwaite
road - Outdoor Leisure Map 30
Follow old mine track ( bridleway ) that runs parallel to Old Gang
Beck NW. Past Old Gang Smelt Mill ruins where Galena ( lead ore ) was
smelted or for the unfit tally awhile and examine ruined buildings and
remains of old machinery dating back to 1800's. Note half mile long
stone flue that extends up the hillside and carried toxic fumes away.
From here continue along same gravel track. After quarter of a mile a
stream on left issueing from track embankment denotes old level
entrance. Here on the gradient increases slightly. Keep straight on
past paths turning off to the left and the right, past recent gravel
workings to reach a gate and Level House Bridge. The route goes to the
right following Flincher Gill past the ruins of Level House once the
home of a lead miner.
The track now degenerates to quite rough going in places from
previous. There are spoil heaps to look at here for budding
geologists. Ford stream and route bears to right above stream on
right. Drop down to stream and ford it again to go through gate on to
open moor.
Route now continues over weird desolate landscape of Forefield Rake
where lead miners followed ore vein and left a h*** of mess in the
process. Past pond with frogs and toads on left up the hill. Take a
sighting on wooden pole on top of stone cairn past piles of mining
spoil heaps to reach top opposite Great Pin Seat trig point at 583
mtrs. ( route can be hard to determine here and also can be subject to
low cloud reducing visibilty to a few metres making it even more
difficult to find your way!!) On a clear day you might be lucky and
spot birds of prey here.
From now on the way forward is down hill past the wreck of a lorry in
a ditch on the right and stone walled sheep fold to the left. The
track becomes quite wet in places here and it is best to plough
straight through with all speed.
On the descent down to the Feetham/Langthwaite road care must be taken
by novices on the loose surfaced track.
Turn right onto tarred road for rapid ride back to starting point.
Probably best if you take normal hill walking navigation and wet
weather gear with you on this one.
Happy cycling/walking.
Norman