Walking in footsteps of a giant gets that bit easier

Local legend has it that the Hole of Horcum, one of the North York Moors’ most photographed landmarks, was created by a giant.
Walkers enjoy the view during along the top of the Hole of Horcum, near Pickering.  Picture: Gerard BinksWalkers enjoy the view during along the top of the Hole of Horcum, near Pickering.  Picture: Gerard Binks
Walkers enjoy the view during along the top of the Hole of Horcum, near Pickering. Picture: Gerard Binks

Thousands of people visit the natural amphitheatres every year.

But over the decades the main footpath taking walkers down into the impressive landmark have become eroded, making it difficult underfoot and creating a very visible scar on the landscape.

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Now locals, walkers and tourists alike are set to benefit from a restoration project which has transformed the well-loved footpath after its trampling by so many boots.

The Hole of Horcum was created by a process called spring-sapping, whereby water welling up from the hillside has gradually undermined the slopes above, eating the rocks away grain by grain.

Over thousands of years, a once narrow valley has widened and deepened into an enormous cauldron – and the process still continues today.

However, local legend tells a different tale, claiming that the impressive landscape was created by the giant Wade, scooping up a handful of earth to throw at his wife Bell.

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David Smith, a senior ranger for the North York Moors National Park Authority, said yesterday: “Putting hard landscaping in a sensitive location like the Hole of Horcum is always tricky but without this work, people would have continued treading an ever wider and deeper berth of the main path causing a considerable scar on this iconic place.

“I am very pleased with the result and feel it balances the desire to provide sustainable and easy access for walkers with minimal impact on the landscape.”

The park authority spends a substantial amount of money each year maintaining more than 1,400 miles of rights of way in the area.

The footpath scheme at the Hole of Horcum, near Pickering, has cost £45,000.

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But the challenge for park officials was to create a sustainable footpath that would not detract from the unspoilt surroundings.

Starting in September, a contractor restored the original line of the route by re-landscaping the bank either side of the footpath.

The path, now partly stone pitched, provides a smoother, hard-wearing surface and a gate has replaced a ladder stile at the top of the bank to provide easier access.

In addition to the damage caused by many pairs of feet, rainwater was also causing damage to the footpath.

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Work carried out to address the drainage problems will benefit not only walkers, but will also increase the ground’s capacity to absorb water and therefore slow the passage of water into Levisham beck.

Previously, park bosses in the North York Moors have admitted more needs to be done to “shout loud” about its many and varied attractions.

The village of Goathland, which featured in ITV’s popular long-running show Heartbeat, as well as the first Harry Potter film, captivated audiences but in recent times the area has seen a decline in tourists.

In 2011, tourism was worth £434m to the park’s economy but a recent report considered by authority members warned there was evidence its value to the local economy has declined over the past six years.

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She said that the North York Moors had an ongoing programme of work to maintain rights of way but also carry out one-off projects to tackle areas of serious erosion such as at the Hole of Horcum.

A spokeswoman said: “Walking is a very popular activity in the national park so people do come here to walk so it will benefit visitors and people who live in the national park.”

In recent years, in line with others, the park has suffered cuts to its budgets from the Government’s austerity programme. Yesterday the spokeswoman said: “Looking after the rights of way within the North York Moors is and will continue to be a high priority for us as we know how important they are for visitors and residents alike.

“However, the level of cuts to our budget will inevitably impact on the amount of work we can carry out in the future.”

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In 2007 visitor numbers to the national park stood at around 10.8 million a year, compared with 10.2 million in 2010 but it is hoped that the new tourism drive could increase visitor numbers to 11.9 million by 2015.

Earlier this year it was revealed that in a bid to bring the visitors back, local people and businesses have been drafted in to help promote the region.

A series of four films have 
been produced to promote 
the national park seen through their eyes, as well as visitor attractions and businesses, 
in a bid to showcase some of 
the treasures the area has to 
offer.

They were then made available for businesses to use in their own marketing to promote the area and encourage more people to discover the splendour of the area.