This document provides directions for a walking route from Sutton Bank to Gormire Lake and back. It starts with information on where to park at the Sutton Park National Park Visitor Centre, which is the starting point for the walk. The route then follows a footpath across open heathland with views of the Vale of Mowbray. It descends steeply into woodland before turning left and right to a track leading to Gormire Lake, where visitors can have a picnic or swim. The return route involves a steep climb back up through Garbutt Wood Nature Reserve to the top of Sutton Bank and the visitor center.

1. Gormire Lake
– Hard Walk

2. This walk starts at Sutton Bank and
reaches a hidden lake, Gormire Lake.
The journey back up from the lake is
quite strenuous but worth the extra
effort.

3. Getting There
Follow the A19 south until you reach
the Thirsk turn off. Follow the road
signposted to Sutton Bank which is
the A170. Park at the Sutton Park
National Park Visitor Centre which is
where the walk starts. This is at the
top of Sutton Bank.

4. Gormire Lake Walk Route

5. Start the walk by crossing the
picnic area and car park behind
the Visitor Centre to the
junction of a lane with the
main road at the top of Sutton
Bank. Cross the lane to a
footpath opposite signed
"Cleveland Way" and "Sneck
Yate", which follows the top of
Sutton Brow.

6. Initially in woodland,
the path emerges
onto more open heath
which gives brilliant
views across the Vale
of Mowbray.

7. After about three quarters of a mile,
the path loses height before turning
right around the overgrown corner of
a wall.

9. A little farther on, leave the Cleveland
Way, going sharp left onto a
descending bridleway, signed "Thirlby
Bank".
After first falling across shrubby
heath, the route soon drops into
woodland, winding steeply down
through the trees along the course of
and old banked way. Ignore side
paths until, eventually you reach a
junction at the bottom of the hill by a
three-fingered bridleway sign.

10. Turn left and then almost
immediately fork right along a
gently undulating track towards
Gormire Lake. Keep left with
the main path where it later
splits again, soon arriving at
the lake shore, which is a great
spot for a picnic and if you're
more daring even a swim...

11. After spending some time
at the lake shore, look for
a signpost a little farther
on and turn from the
waters edge to climb
through the trees on a
path signed to the National
Park Centre.

12. The route to the top is steep. Drink
plenty of water if your lucky to have
hot weather. Over a stile part way up,
keep on through the Garbutt Wood
Nature Reserve to a fork. Go right,
shortly passing a large isolated
boulder at the edge of a clearing,
Beyond, the gradient, having briefly
eased, resumes its upward trend and
there is a final stiff pull to the top of
Sutton Bank Here you will rejoin the
Cleveland Way. Turn right and follow
it back to the visitor centre.