Five fantastic walks in the North York Moors

Check out these circular trails in the eastern area of the North York Moors National Park. They are all between 9 and 11 miles long and will take 4-5 hours to complete. The walks include visits to some of the region’s most beautiful places such as Whisper Dales, Dalby Forest, Bridestones Nature Reserve, Falling Foss, Grosmont and Goathland.

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One Ordnance Survey map covers these superb North York Moors routes

The best map to use is the Ordnance Survey map of the North York Moors Eastern Area, reference OS Explorer OL27, 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.

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Walk 1 – Hackness and Whisper Dales

North-west from the village of Hackness to Lowdales Farm, then north through Low Dales and Whisper Dales before an uphill climb through woodland to reach the viewpoint at Reasty Hill Top. West along the top of the inland cliff to Barns Cliff End followed by a U-turn to head south-east to Oak Rigg and a further two miles to Broxa. To complete the walk it’s south-east across Broxa Rigg back to Hackness. A 9-mile walk in the North York Moors.

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Walk 2 – Lockton and Dalby Forest

East from Lockton and across the A169 road before heading south into Thwaite Wood and onwards to Staindale Lodge. South for 2½ miles along the woodland perimeter on the west side of Thornton Dale all the way to Ellers Wood, then south-west via Ellerburn to Thornton-le-Dale. After exploring the village it’s north-east to High Paper Mill Farm and north to Low Dalby and Go Ape, this time sticking to the east side of Thornton Dale. Finally north-west to Staindale Lodge and along the same path used at the start of the walk back to Lockton. An 11-mile walk in the North York Moors.

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Walk 3 – Bridestones and Hole of Horcum

Briefly north from the car park at Saltergate, then south-east along Old Wife’s Way and above Newgate Brow to Bridestones Nature Reserve. South-west through Stain Dale to Staindale Lodge before turning north and crossing the A169 road to get to the village of Lockton. West down through woodland to join Mill Bank Road then east out of the valley and north along Levisham Brow. Continuing north across the meadowland of the Hole of Horcum before climbing out of the hollow and returning along the side of the road back to the car park. A 10-mile walk in the North York Moors.

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Walk 4 – Grosmont and Goathland

East along Front Street out of Grosmont, then south into Doctors Wood before joining a track which leads to Dale End. Further south to reach a minor road at Green End and continuing via Braithwaite Cottages to Hollin Garth. Across moorland to Hill Farm then east above the valley before dropping down and heading south via Mill Scar to Goathland Railway Station. After exploring the village of Goathland it’s south-west to the Mallyan Spout Hotel and down the steps to visit the waterfall. Finally north to Beck Hole and completing the route by way of the Goathland to Grosmont Rail Trail, which follows the course of the Murk Esk. A 9-mile walk in the North York Moors.

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Walk 5 – Falling Foss and Littlebeck

South from the car park at the top of Blue Bank to a point just before High Quebec Farm, before briefly turning north-west to meet a track which heads south across Sleights Moor. South-east along Whinstone Ridge into the woodland of Newton House Plantation, continuing down to John Bond’s Sheep House. North alongside May Beck to the Falling Foss waterfall and through more woods past The Hermitage to Littlebeck. Lastly north-west by way of a minor road out of the valley back to the starting point. A 10-mile walk in the North York Moors.