Hawnby Hill: A Delightful Nine-Mile Walk in the North York Moors

Enjoy Panoramic Views with the Hawnby Hill Walk in North Yorkshire

Begin your Hawnby Hill walk by parking in the Newgate Bank Forestry Commission car park, located on the B1257 between Great Broughton and Helmsley, approximately five miles north of Helmsley. This car park is positioned on a bend at the top of Newgate Bank, so exercise caution when entering or leaving due to the busy road. Before setting off, take a moment to find the viewpoint, which offers breathtaking vistas over the moors and towards Easterside Hill.

Leave the car park and turn left onto the B1257. Carefully cross the road to find a path heading south, which you will follow for about a quarter of a mile. Then, turn right and follow the forestry track downhill through Newgate Plantation. The track zigzags down to Broadway Foot. From there, head south to reach the minor road at Shaken Bridge.

Next, continue west along this road, crossing the bridge, and proceed until you see a footpath on your right just before Ristbrow Farm. Take this path and walk west across the farmland until you reach Hawnby Bridge over the River Rye. After crossing the bridge, follow the road north into the charming village of Hawnby.

At the village crossroads, go straight on and pick up the path that starts your ascent to the top of Hawnby Hill. This trail will lead you across the ridge to the hill’s highest point at the northern end. Pause to enjoy the panoramic views before descending the northern slopes to meet a minor road at the bottom.

Cross this road and walk north-east along the track leading to the farm at Sportsman’s Hall. Walk around the northern side of the farm and descend into the valley. Use the footbridge to cross Ladhill Beck, then, after a short climb, follow the path south through the valley, passing Low Banniscue and Little Banniscue, until you reach the minor road near Ladhill Beck Bank.

Turn left and walk up the road, known as Easterside Lane. This road circles around the southern slopes of Easterside Hill. After about three-quarters of a mile, take the path on your right through the woods and across fields to reach a footbridge over the River Seph. After crossing the river, head south towards Fair Hill Farm and continue south to return to Broadway Foot, where you were earlier in the day.

Retrace your steps uphill through Newgate Plantation to return to the main road, then turn left to get back to your car park. This nine-mile Hawnby Hill walk in the North York Moors offers a delightful blend of stunning landscapes and challenging paths, making it a truly memorable hike.

Hawnby Hill Walk: Distance, Duration, Statistics

Recommended Ordnance Survey Map

The best map to use on this walk is the Ordnance Survey map of the North York Moors Western Area, reference OS Explorer OL26, scale 1:25,000. It clearly displays footpaths, rights of way, open access land and vegetation on the ground, making it ideal for walking, running and hiking. The map can be purchased from Amazon in either a standard, paper version or a weatherproof, laminated version, as shown below.

North York Moors Walking Guidebooks

The North York Moors, by Paddy Dillon, describes 50 walks of 4 to 14 miles across the Tabular Hills, Hambleton Hills, Cleveland Hills, high moors and Cleveland coast, plus the Lyke Wake Walk in four stages, with Ordnance Survey mapping and notes on transport and refreshments.

North York Moors Short Walks Made Easy, published by Ordnance Survey, brings together 10 accessible routes of 2.5 to 4.5 miles, each taking around a couple of hours, ideal for families or anyone short on time. Both books can be purchased from Amazon, as shown below.

About Hawnby Hill

Hawnby Hill, situated in the North York Moors of North Yorkshire, Northern England, rises just north of the village of Hawnby. The hill’s peak, at its northern end, reaches an elevation of 298 metres (978 feet).

Viewed from above, Hawnby Hill resembles an elongated oval, with a ridge running north to south for approximately half a mile. A footpath traverses this ridge, offering a scenic route for walkers. Surrounding the hill, picturesque farmland and woodland provide stunning views of the countryside.

To the North and South of Hawnby Hill

To the north, the landscape transitions into Hawnby Moor, an expansive moorland. Nestled at the base of the hill’s north-east slopes, Nova Scotia Farm adds to the area’s charm. South of the hill lies the village of Hawnby. The northern and southern slopes are gentler compared to the steeper eastern and western slopes.

The Eastern Side of Hawnby Hill

On the eastern side, a blend of moorland and woodland covers the steep slopes. At the base of the south-eastern flanks sits Long Acres Farm. A minor road runs along the eastern boundary in a north-south direction, connecting Hawnby to Square Corner, just east of Osmotherley, approximately seven miles away. This road is part of the National Cycle Network Route 656, a challenging route that primarily runs on-road and connects Coxwold to Hawnby via Sutton Bank National Park Centre.

The Western Side of Hawnby Hill

The western slope features Hawnby Hill Crag, a striking geological formation. The terrain here is more rugged, with areas of moorland and woodland similar to those on the eastern side. A bridleway and two footpaths run north to south below the western slope, providing excellent walking routes.

The Eastern Valley of Hawnby Hill

On the eastern side of the hill, a valley cradles Ladhill Beck, which flows from north to south before joining the River Rye. Opposite this valley stands Easterside Hill, a neighbouring elevation slightly higher than Hawnby Hill but with a broader plateau.

The Western Valley of Hawnby Hill

The western valley of Hawnby Hill hosts the River Rye, which flows from the north and passes under Hawnby Bridge, just south of the village. A network of paths and tracks crisscrosses the area, allowing walkers and hikers to explore the hill’s eastern and western valleys and their scenic surroundings.

Hawnby Hill’s varied landscape and extensive network of trails make it an ideal destination for nature enthusiasts and walkers alike. Whether you prefer a challenging hike or a leisurely stroll, the beauty and diversity of Hawnby Hill and its surroundings will not disappoint.

Hawnby Hill Walk: My Photos

Looking north-west towards Easterside Hill from the car park viewpoint at Newgate Bank.

The forestry track through Newgate Plantation soon after the start of our Hawnby Hill walk.

Easterside Hill comes into view as we make our way down through Newgate Plantation.

Easterside Hill as seen from the minor road between Shaken Bridge and Hawnby.

Hawnby Hill is visible in the distance as we walk along the minor road towards Hawnby.

Hawnby Bridge which crosses the River Rye, just south of Hawnby village.

The River Rye near Hawnby Bridge. The river rises in the Cleveland Hills at an elevation of 200 meters, just south of Osmotherley. It flows through several towns and villages including Hawnby, Rievaulx, Helmsley, Nunnington, West and East Ness, Butterwick, Brawby, and Ryton before eventually meeting the River Derwent near the town of Malton. The total size of the River Rye’s basin is 330 square miles, and it forms part of the River Derwent’s larger river system in Yorkshire.

The lower area of Hawnby, home to Hawnby Stores & Tea Room.

Find out more at http://www.hawnbytearoom.co.uk

Gypsy pony in Hawnby, roughly one-third of the way round our Hawnby Hill walk.

The Owl, Hawnby, a 19th-century country pub and restaurant with ensuite accommodation.

Check out their website at https://www.theowlhawnby.co.uk

The view south towards Hawnby from the southern slopes of Hawnby Hill.

Cairn at the top of Hawnby Hill, height 294 meters (965 feet). Across the valley to the east is Easterside Hill.

Looking west from Hawnby Hill across the River Rye valley towards the tree-covered Coomb Hill.

Time for a coffee on Hawnby Hill and a chance to admire the scenery.

The path across the Hawnby Hill ridge. The highest point is at the northern end of the hill, at 298 meters (977 feet).

Lovely views across the River Rye floodplain during the descent of Hawnby Hill. Arden Great Moor can be seen behind North Moor to the north-west.

The track across the moorland to Sportsman’s Hall is easy to spot from Hawnby Hill.

Footbridge across Ladhill Beck, the halfway point of our Hawnby Hill walk.

Ancient woodland at Low Banniscue.

An old barn by the side of the path between Wass House and Fair Hill Farm. A rather muddy section of our Hawnby Hill walk.