Walk: Brimham Rocks

Take the sloping all-weather path behind the notice board out of the car park. Follow the all-weather path through the rocks passing Surprise View, which boasts impressive views up Nidderdale. Further on, leave the track and see if you can find Cannon Rocks - so called because of the 22yd (20m) hollow cannon (tube) through the solid rock.

You will pass the famous oak tree which has been growing out of a rock for more than 250 years. We know this because it is shown in a sketch of Brimham by Moles Griffiths in 1804, and mentioned in poetry by Ebenezer Elliot published in 1833. The all-weather path then meets the track to Brimham House directly in front of you, with the kiosk and toilet block to your right. At this point it is worth a slight detour up the steps near Brimham House to the view point. There you will have superb views towards York and Harrogate. You will also find the visitor centre and shop for further information about the geology and social history of the site.

Turn left and follow the tarmac road up a slight incline, take the left fork by a large rock through the staff car park. Directly in front of you is the Dancing Bear (Begging Dog).

Visitors at Brimham Rocks, North Yorkshire. Brimham Rocks is an amazing collection of weird and wonderful rock formations, sculpted over centuries by ice, wind and rain.

Follow the track past the Dancing Bear and after about 110yd (100m) you will glimpse the Druids Writing Desk, now often called ET, and further along the Druids Idol (Idol Rock), probably the most famous and spectacular rock at Brimham. Keep going past the Idol Rock and on your left-hand side are views over Dallowgill Moor (beware of steep drops).

After about 110yd (100m) the track turns sharply to the right giving views of Mushroom Rock in the distance, and an expanse of moorland (which consists mainly of Common Heather Calluna vulgaris, sometime called ling). Keeping the moorland on your left-hand side and the rocks on your right follow the path past the rocks on the right, towards Middle Crag, the large body of rocks in the distance.

At the habitat pile turn right towards a lone rock called The Gorilla. After working here for some years our Warden still can’t see the gorilla in this rock; can you? Just past this rock the path turns back on itself to the left following a small valley, keeping Middle Crags on your left hand side. Follow this path for approx 440yd (400m), until it enters the main car park.