A long distance walk dreamt up by a Redcar and Cleveland councillor 40 years ago is to test the stamina of participants next month: including the current mayor.
The Langbaurgh Loop was conceived in 1986 by current Saltburn councillor Philip Thomson and a late friend, Captain Mike Sellars.
On April 11 current Redcar and Cleveland Mayor Ian Hart will attempt the route to raise funds for his chosen charities, Footprints in the Community, which supports people struggling with poverty and isolation, and the tower restoration fund at St Cuthbert’s Church, in Ormesby.
The Langbaurgh Loop
The loop is 38 miles in length, beginning in Saltburn and heading down the coast to Skinningrove before turning back inland, skirting Loftus and going through Handale and Gerrick.
It then runs parallel to the A171, taking in Guisborough Forest, Newton-under-Roseberry and Roseberry Topping, before going north to Eston Nab.
From there it meanders its way east eventually reaching Errington Woods, near New Marske and then onto Saltburn.
The loop’s circular route is described as taking in spectacular scenery, including sandy coastal paths, high cliff edges, rugged moors thick with heather, dense pine forests and ancient woods.
It also includes bronze and iron age burial mounds, sites of former Roman lookout posts and Viking founded villages.
Cllr Thomson said: “The mayor is doing a wonderful job in terms of promoting the loop by walking it.”
Route information
Walkers wishing to finish the route in reasonable light on the day will need to leave the start point of the Cat Nab Fish Bar in Saltburn at 6am and cover an average of 2.5 miles an hour.
On the return, from the bottom of Hazel Grove, in Saltburn, along the lower promenade will be lit.
While the route has been way-marked as far as possible, there are no check points.
Walkers are advised to start well prepared and should be relatively fit and adept at map reading.
Anyone wishing to cover a shorter distance can either complete the eastern loop only, which tracks back inland via Skelton after nearing Guisborough, and is 23 miles long, or just the first section which ends at Upton Cottages and is 5.5 miles long.
In order to receive a completion certificate those taking part should request a form from Saltburn library which needs to be completed and returned either in person or by emailing saltburnlibrary@redcar-cleveland.gov.uk.
For more information visit https://redcarcleveland.co.uk/enjoy/event/langbaurgh-loop/
CLICK HERE TO DONATE TO OUR CROWDFUNDER
HELP US BECOME STRONGER SO THAT WE CAN CONTINUE TO DELIVER POWERFUL CITIZEN JOURNALISM!
