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I fear some of the overgrown elements referred to in an earlier review of the route have now made it impassable. Immediately after the start of the route from Normanby I was faced by waist high crops on one side of the fence and waist high weeds and nettles on the other - see photo. I would have plunged in but the field stretched for some distance. This of course may change with the seasons and further planting/harvesting.

I reversed out, followed the river to Back Lane then followed Gallowheads Lane to Pickering. A solid 3 if used.

I walked from Normanby to Pickering on a humid June day as part of the National Parks Trail Challenge.

Normanby in my view barely qualifies to be a node in the Slow Ways network. It has a church, a sturdy bench at the start point, and a pub that opens from 5pm most days, but the village is rather difficult to get to as it boasts only an occasional bus (i.e. one bus in each direction on 4 days a week, which must be booked in advance through Ryedale Community Transport).

The route passes through farmyards and farmland, some of which I found very overgrown at this time of year and in places not very well waymarked. A narrow and slightly delapidated plank bridge was hard to spot as it was colonised by nettles. I found it easier to walk around the edge of the Christmas tree plantation than forge a prickly route through the middle. A short stretch on a quiet lane led to a bridleway that then followed field edges. Another footbridge on the far side of a wooden gate had a drop into the ditch on one side; visible enough when walking west-east but hidden in the long summer grass when walking east-west, so take care! (Photos below taken in both directions.)

A series of metal gates then separated some fields, in one of which cows were peacefully grazing and happy to ignore me. Reaching the lane the route passes Pickering Millennium Wood then enters the best stretch of the walk, along the fast-flowing Costa Beck. Parts of this stretch were wooded, very welcome on a warm day. Three footbridges criss-cross the beck giving views into the clear water. The route finally reaches the busy main road and follows it on safe pavements past lovely rows of stone cottages.

A pleasant route which I'd walk again and recommend to others.

An excellent walk, along the side of a stream and well marked bridleways and footpaths. One muddy section through a farm which is probably ok in the summer. The walk alongside the A170 is busy with a lot of traffic. Put the pavements on either side are wide enough. There is also an option to walk along the Middleton Road in and out of Pickering if you wish.

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