STILL limited by foot and mouth disease, this week's walk visits the outskirts of Scarborough. It starts by taking to the disused Scarborough to Whitby railway track between the village of Scalby and the outskirts of the town.

After a short walk along the roadside a small mere rich in wildlife is passed as we take a brief trip into Rowbrow Wood. The return route has fantastic views which I am at a loss to describe as you will appreciate as you descend back towards the finish to enjoy some refreshment at the local cafe or one of the welcoming inns.

The facts

Distance - 5 miles/8km

Time - 2 hours

Start/Parking - Street parking along Station Road, Scalby, grid ref 015906

Map - OS Landranger 101 or OS Outdoor Leisure 27

Refreshments - The Nags Head and The Plough in Scalby village, the Yew Tree Caf and the Gatehouse Restaurant are also in the village. They are all close together and on your route.

Public Toilets - Scalby village opposite the Post Office

Guide Book - Walking around Scarborough, Whitby and Filey by J Brian Beadle has similar walks. Available from the bookshops, cafes, Low Dalby Visitor Centre and Tourist Information Centres.

Your Route

Leave your car in Station Road or better still take the frequent service bus to Scalby. Walk past the tennis courts, a few large houses and a post box then turn right along Chichester Close going right then left through the houses to join the railway line. Cross the bridge which spans the Sea Cut.

The Sea Cut was built with sluice gates at Mowthorpe to release flood water from the River Derwent, emptying it into the sea at Scalby Mills. You will not be able to look over the bridge parapet, unless you are over seven feet tall!

If you would like to see the cut and the fine arched bridge you have just crossed, go down the steps on the right at the end of the bridge then return to the railway track.

Continue along the railway track for about a mile crossing an estate road and under a couple of bridges to soon open out onto a wide grassy area.

Pass the school playing fields and school and continue until the railway track finishes near the allotments. Keep straight ahead here along a tree lined metal fenced path with a cemetery on your left.

At the end go right, cross the road and exit onto a path through the bollards towards the houses. At the road, bear left onto Woodland Avenue.

In a few yards, you meet another road. Cross over here and onto a path leading into the woods opposite. Immediately go right at the dog refuse box.

The woodland path eventually exits at the main road. Cross the A171 with care then turn right to walk past the traffic lights and hospital.

At the end of the dual carriageway, go left along Lady Edith's Drive, past two schools and into the country.

Soon, the road bears right to Throxenby Mere. There was a seat here but it was broken last time I visited, maybe it is repaired now. Enjoy the wildlife on the mere. If you are lucky, you might see a wily fisherman - the heron - or observe a coot swimming by. Look carefully at the water's surface for ripples and you could see a fish jumping up for its dinner!

Leave the mere, going left at the gate into Rowbrow Wood where you just might hear a woodpecker at work. Take the path bearing right into the woods, and in a few yards go right again. Keep right at all times following the edge of the mere until it finally turns right for the last time to exit onto the road.

Turn right, then almost immediately cross the road to go left up the hill. At the top of the hill, linger a while to admire the great view along the valley of the Sea Cut and the hills of Suffield and Silpho and in the distance are the North York Moors.

Continue over the hilltop and the view changes but none the less spectacular. The wooded area to the north around Scalby and across to the Coombotts area is really pretty whilst, to the east, fields stretch across to the cliffs and the sea. Descend now to a lower level to leave the superb scene behind.

At the junction go left to eventually cross a bridge over the Sea Cut. Continue along to soon bear right over a wooden footbridge and climb the hill past the church.

At the crossroads in Scalby village, the amenities are close by. If you are not stopping, keep straight ahead past the post office to another crossroads. Cross carefully here to return to Station Road. If you came by bus perhaps you will catch it in Scalby village.

Updated: 11:30 Thursday, August 02, 2001