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Hackfall Wood

          
Location:  Hackfall Wood is situated approximately one mile north of Grewelthorpe on the road to Masham where there is limited car parking in a layby opposite the entrance. The best way to reach Hackfall is on foot from Masham along the riverside path though Nutwith Cote (approximately 4 kms). Masham is accessible by bus. See the'Getting Here' section of the website for more details.
 
Hackfall Wood covers the steep north and east facing slopes above the Ure Gorge.  It is a woodland of national importance and has been designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). It is one of the best examples of ancient semi natural woodland in the area with a diverse underlying geology that has resulted in tufa-lined springs whose margins are colonised by wetland plants typical of calcareous substrates. These coexist alongside more acidic sandstones overlain by plants like woodrush. A rich bryophyte community is established in parts of the wood.
 
It also supports a wide range of bird species. All three woodpeckers are present (green woodpeckers, great-spotted woodpecker, lesser-spotted woodpecker) and other woodland birds including woodcock, spotted and pied flycatcher, nuthatch and treecreeper. 
 
The River Ure runs through the bottom of the woodland and in waterlogged river margins and tributary streams, kingfisher,  dipper and grey wagtail and common sandpiper are present.  The varied habitat also provides cover for birds such as wood warbler, pied flycatcher and redstart.

 Photo: The River Ure at Hackfall

 

Photo: Tree canopy at Hackfall Woods, Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI)