Get Lost Mountaineering

Walk 4: Old Wood NE & N Edge

Start/Finish

The start of the private road into the Old Wood North which starts on the back road from Skellingthorpe to Saxilby. This is about a mile after passing the Stones Arms if coming from Skellingthorpe. Coming from Saxilby, it is where the obvious wood on the right meets the road. There is limited parking before the road becomes private. Aim to park close to the first large modern house called The Larches as the path starts here.

Distance/Time

3 km/2 miles    About an hour

Introduction

Skellingthorpe Old Wood is one of the largest woodlands in the area and is relatively quiet to walk around. It contains a mixture of good tracks, boggy tracks and many footpaths. Boots are needed and gaiters after wet weather. The wood is very natural and, in March, white wood anemones abound. There is much to explore in this wood. Brambles may be a problem in places during the summer.

Route

(1) Locate the sign post in front of The Larches and to its right. This directs you down the side of a large field, passing the side of The Larches then other properties before actually following the side of the wood. A gentle brow will be seen in the distance and this is crossed later on. There is no really obvious path in places but the route is obvious. After about 1 km, pass a sign and gate into the wood. Ignore this, it will be used as the return route, and continue alongside the wood. About 200 m after the wood turn right an an obvious corner, there is a sign at the end of a track coming out of the wood. This track comes from the five way junction.

(2) Locate the obvious sign post and take the path going back but just inside the wood. The path is easy to follow and is never far from the edge of the wood. Almost at its end, it crosses a field then exits the wood to rejoin the outward path back to the start.

Notes

(a) This walk took place in April, 2020.