Ana Cross Hike is a fairly easy 5-mile hike, across the Spaunton Moors, in the south of the North Yorkshire Moors National Park. It wasn’t my favourite hike, but it is perfect if you are looking for an easy, family walk, away from the crowds. The 5-mile hike took us around 3-hours to complete, including stops for lunch and photos.
The walk starts and finishes in the beautiful, quiet village, Lastingham, in the Ryedale District. The circular walk takes you along the Public Bridleway in the Spaunton Moors up to Ana Cross. Ana Cross is a medieval cross. It is built on a prehistoric bronze age burial mound and it is believed to have shown, that Christianity was now the new boss. The cross was once 8-metres high. Today, after been restored, it is only 3-metres tall. However, it is still the tallest cross on the moors!
Parking
The walk starts and finishes in the village, Lastingham. You can park along the street, free of charge. We arrived on a Saturday, just before 11 am and there was plenty of parking.
The Route
Follow this map, as you walk the route, you shouldn’t get lost! Make sure your location is turned on and you should be able to see exactly where you are, on this map. Or if you prefer, download the GPX file and use it on your choice of route tracker.
1.
Starting in the village, Lastingham, follow the road over Ellers Beck. Take the road leading off to your left-hand side. Follow the road uphill to a gate. Walkthrough the gate and head towards the signpost. At the signpost, follow the Public Bridleway, pointing to Rosedale.
2.
After walking along the Public Bridleway for about 2-miles, on a slow incline, you will reach Ana’s Cross. A perfect stop for some lunch!
3.
At the cross, facing back at the Public Bridleway you have just arrived from, take the Public Bridleway on your left-hand side. You have to walk along a short bit of narrow footpath to get to it. Use the map to help you navigate. Follow the Public Bridleway down the moors, until you reach a footpath sign, on your left-hand side.
4.
Take the footpath on your right-hand side. Follow the footpath down to the stream, up the overside of the bank, through the sheep field, and back to where the route started from. Pass through the gate on your left-hand side and walk back into the village, Lastington.
If you have enjoyed this walk and would like to do another walk in the North Yorkshire Moors National Park, here is one of my favourite walks: The 7-Mile Corpse Road Osmotherley Hike.
To read more about the village Lastingham, their accommodation, and their eating places, please visit their website: https://www.lastinghamvillage.org/.
