Harwood Dale Forest is a woodland in North Yorkshire, England. The forest lies within the North York Moors National Park and is maintained by Forestry England.
History The land that the forest covers was previously moorland and rough pastureland which was acquired in the 1920s by the Forestry Commission. The forest is bisected by the A171 road (between Scarborough and Whitby), which runs on a north-west to south-east axis. Harwood Dale Forest ranges from above sea level at the southern end to at the northern end around Pye Rigg Howe.
Part of the north-western forest consists of the Harwood Dale Moor SSSI, which is noted for its geological history as it was not affected by the last glaciation period, and so pre-dates that time.
Overall, 79% of the forest consists of evergreen trees (around ), 13% is broadleaf cover (around ), and the other 8% is heathland or planned open areas (). The forest contains at least five scheduled monuments, including round barrows and cairns. The stone circle at Standingstones Rigg is outside of the forest on the very edge of the south-east corner at . The forest is maintained by Forestry England.
Recreation There is no formal provision for recreation in the forest, although the area is designated as open access land under the Countryside Rights of Way Act (2000), and there are bridleways and pathways through the forest. The forest lies entirely within the North York Moors National Park.
Wildlife The forest is home to roe deer, badgers, squirrels, foxes, and dragonflies are to be found in and around the ponds and ditches. In terms of birdlife, nightjars, wood warbler, spotted fly catcher, marsh tit, and woodcocks have all been reported, and the forest is host to a large population of adders.
See also List of Sites of Special Scientific Interest in North Yorkshire
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