Castles, Spring Sunshine, and Wildlife

Spring has finally arrived in North Yorkshire, and what a difference it makes! After months of battling the cold and wind, walking in a much milder temperature made this circular route around Middleham and East Witton a total joy.

A Royal Start

The walk begins in the shadow of Middleham Castle. Once the childhood home of Richard III, it’s an imposing and beautiful ruin that sets a fantastic tone for the day. If you like your hikes with a side of history, you can’t get much better than this.

The Maze and the Road

The first section took me through a series of farmers' fields. I’ll be honest—it felt like a bit of a maze! You definitely need to keep your eyes on the map to make sure you're heading the right way.

One slight disappointment was a fairly long stretch of road walking. While the views remained lovely, it’s never quite as enjoyable as being on a proper trail. However, the path eventually returned to easier terrain, was very easy to follow, and—best of all—wasn't muddy at all, which was a huge surprise given the recent rain!

A Wildlife Masterclass

The highlight of the day wasn't the castle or the fields, but the locals. This route is clearly a hotspot for wildlife. Along the way, I spotted:

• A baby deer (an incredible moment to catch on camera!)
• Plenty of hares darting across the fields.
• Rabbits everywhere you looked.

It wasn't a busy route, which made the wildlife encounters feel even more special. It felt like I had the whole of Wensleydale to myself.

Verdict: A solid, enjoyable walk. If you can push through the road section, the castle views and wildlife more than make up for it!