Fen Bog Nature Reserve
Combining stunning views of the North York Moors landscape with a terrific range of plants, insects and upland birds, Fen Bog is a delightful moorland nature reserve situated between the summits of Tom Cross Rigg and Crag Stone Rigg and takes the form of a long curving piece of land that is bounded at both ends by moorland streams.
The mire bottom has some of the most unusual species of the sphagnum moss in the region, which have survived and flourished largely due to consistent management by the Trust. The land is dependent on regional rainfall and appropriate levels of drainage to keep the mire in peak condition.
The site is good for butterflies with small pearl-bordered fritillary and large heath both occurring in early summer. Curlew can be heard calling from the surrounding moors and whinchat, wheatear and meadow pipit all breed. Look out for merlin passing through.
If you time your visit well, you may also see a steam train pass down the Pickering railway line adjacent to the nature reserve.
There is a rough track from the car park to viewpoint. Beyond the viewpoint paths may be steep, uneven and unsurfaced.