{"id":198008,"date":"2019-03-28T06:14:21","date_gmt":"2019-03-28T04:14:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wereldwyd.co.za\/hiking-through-yorkshires-raincliffe-woods\/"},"modified":"2024-10-28T16:00:50","modified_gmt":"2024-10-28T14:00:50","slug":"hiking-through-yorkshires-raincliffe-woods","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wereldwyd.co.za\/en\/hiking-through-yorkshires-raincliffe-woods\/","title":{"rendered":"Hiking through Yorkshire\u2019s Raincliffe Woods"},"content":{"rendered":"

Raincliffe Woods is made up of just over 150 hectares of ancient woodland, and is home to many species of trees, including the native alder, hazel and ash. In the woods you can also find areas of Western red cedar \u2013 a large tree introduced from America. These trees with their wide branches and large leaves cover the woodland floor with shade and allow few plants to grow underneath them. Conifers and other tree species were also introduced to the woods and managed for the commercial production of timber and charcoal.<\/p>\n

Since the 1950\u2019s a large part of the woods has been replanted after centuries of deforestation and commercial felling. Intruder trees are gradually thinned out and native species reintroduced by the Woodland Trust and Raincliffe Wood Community Enterprise.<\/p>\n

On the ground level you will find woodrush, moss, snowdrops, bluebells, and in early spring some stunning daffodils. For the fauna enthusiasts the tree canopy is filled with singing birds. And if you walk quietly, you might just bump into a herd of deer or a shy fox.<\/p>\n

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Deemed too steep and too wet for farming, Raincliffe Woods is the perfect place for a great uphill workout or for getting your shoes muddy. I followed the route the AA published in their 2017 edition of 50 Walks in North Yorkshire<\/a><\/em>, <\/em>but you can also find great directions on their website<\/a>. <\/em>Rated medium on the level of difficulty, the \u00b1\u00a08\u00a0km or 5-mile-long trail is made up of field tracks and some very steep woodland paths over gorgeous Yorkshire farmland and hillside woodlands. The trail also passes Throxenby Mere where you can enjoy a rest on some benches.<\/p>\n