The Williance's Leap Walk from Richmond

Well, as I said on my last blog post, I’ve had a brilliant morning following the Drummer Boy Walk, finishing with the delicious flavours of chocolate and toffee fudge, before walking back up into the town center.

But I wasn’t finished for the day. I needed to blow a few more cobwebs away, so after coffee at home, I decided to “nip” up to Williance’s Leap, which, in my head, isn’t far away. Not far means 2 ¼ miles, and a climb of 525 ft from my house. The walk continues on to Deep Dale, and drops down to the C2C path which I followed back to Richmond. All in all about 6 ½ miles or so.

I had a lovely walk. It wasn’t too cold, and the sun was out most of the time. Every time I come out this way I am so grateful that I live where I do. In less than 5 minutes I am away from the town, at the top of Hurgill Bank looking down on West Field. This is the C2C route, although many walkers use the road alongside, perhaps not realising this is so much better.

Just a little further on, and Richmond Town looks lovely highlighted in the sun. I can see my house from here, and Richmond Castle Keep of course.

Every C2Cer will recognise this bench,

and the words written by Alfred Wainwright.

But, if you took a slightly different route up on to High Moor, and went a little higher up than the C2C path, you’d get this view, which I personally think is much better. 

Walking along the edge of High Moor at the top of Whitcliffe Scar – wonderful views the late afternoon sun.

Until I reached Williance’s Leap where Robert Williance survived a 212 foot fall over the cliff, which you can read about here: Williance Leap Story. In the picture, you can clearly see two stones, but there is a third, in the undergrowth and which I’ve put a little arrow to. They may be spaced to mark the three final bounds of his mare before they went over the edge. 

I continued on along the top of Whitcliffe Scar, looking down on the Swale, and the Applegarths. The autumn colours are wonderful.

Until I got to Deep Dale, following the road between the steep slopes down to the C2C path.

At this point I realised that “nipping” out to Williance’s leap, and undertaking a 6 mile+ walk was maybe best not started at 2.45pm in November. It was getting dark very quickly, sunset being about 4:30 pm. The C2C path is mostly a wide track and tarmac, an easy route to follow and I was back home long before it was too dark to see, but I have made a mental note to be more careful next time.

Sitting at home with me coffee, I felt very satisfied at a wonderful day. The Drummer Boy walk this morning and Williance’s Leap in the afternoon. Class!

A good walk, mostly along the C2C, but I do love the stretch along the top of Whitcliffe Scar.

I did this walk in the summer last year:
Too nice to stay in - Williance's Leap

To see and read about the same walk in the snow, click here: A walk in the white stuff