Forge Valley Woods
Follow the waterside trail through this delightful nature reserve in the North York Moors National Park. The easy walk follows a wooden boardwalk through the wooded valley along the River Derwent (not suitable for bikes). There's a wide variety of flora and fauna to look out for as you make your way through the reserve. This includes wild garlic, wood anemone and broadleaved woodland. Also keep your eyes peeled for deer and woodland birds. It's easy to extend your walking in the area with Raincliffe Woods located just to the north west. The woods have some good mountain bike trails and more walking trails. You can also pick up the circular Scarborough Sea Cut and Scalby Beck Walk in this area.
Also nearby is Wykeham Forest which has some great viewpoints from its elevated position. The circular Hackness Walk visits the forest from the nearby village. You can follow a pleasant riverside path along the River Derwent from the settlement to the forest.
The expansive Dalby Forest is also close at hand.
Forge Valley is located just north of the villages of West Ayton and East Ayton. In West Ayton you can visit the photogenic 14th ruins of Ayton castle as an extension to the walk..
Postcode
YO12 5TG - Please note: Postcode may be approximate for some rural locationsForge Valley Woods Ordnance Survey Map 
- view and print off detailed OS map
Forge Valley Woods Open Street Map 
- view and print off detailed map
Forge Valley Woods OS Map 
- Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking
Forge Valley Woods Open Street Map 
- Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking
Pubs/Cafes
Head to the aptly named Ye Old Forge Valley Inn for some post walk refreshment in West Ayton. The historic Tudor-style coaching inn dates back to the the 18th century and is located in a fine spot alongside John Carr's bridge over the River Derwent. They serve excellent homecooked food which you can enjoy in the lovely garden area on warmer days. There's good facilites too with a large car park and pool table. You can find them on 5 Pickering Road in West Ayton with a postcode of YO13 9JE for your sat navs.
Dog Walking
The woods are an ideal place for a dog walk and the Old Forge Valley Inn mentioned above is also very dog friendly with water bowls and biscuits provided. The woods are a nature reserve so please keep your pet under control because of the wildlife.
Further Information and Other Local Ideas
The circular West Ayton Walk starts from the nearby village and visits the woods. It also visits the ruins of the 14th century Ayton castle and takes you towards the village of Hackness, which lies just to the north.
For more walking ideas in the area see the North York Moors Walks page.
Cycle Routes and Walking Routes Nearby
Photos
Board walk forming part of the route to the West of the river in the Forge Valley
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Forge Valley railway station (site), Yorkshire. Opened in 1882 by the North Eastern Railway on the line from Pickering to Seamer, this station closed in 1950. The station is actually located in the village of West Ayton. View south west towards Sawdon and Pickering.
Footpath from Cockrah Road over Dreakenfield Hill.
River Derwent Forge Valley. The weir and water level gauge
Spring. This spring is adjacent to the road running through the Valley. The spring increased with the recent heavy rains.
Riverside Meadow. This riverside meadow is located on the banks of the River Derwent in the Valley - West side of the river.
Car Park for Scarwell Wood Walk. Located at the northern end of the site.
