Check out these circular trails in the western area of the North York Moors National Park. They are all between 10 and 12 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 the Esk Valley, Farndale, Rosedale Abbey and Hutton-le-Hole.
One Ordnance Survey map covers these classic North York Moors routes
The best map to use 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.
RECOMMENDED MAP
Standard Ordnance Survey map of the North York Moors Western Area, reference OS Explorer OL26, scale 1:25,000.
Buy now on Amazon
View all Ordnance Survey maps
RECOMMENDED MAP
Weatherproof Active Ordnance Survey map of the North York Moors Western Area, reference OS Explorer OL26, scale 1:25,000.
Buy now on Amazon
View all Ordnance Survey maps
Walk 1 – Guisborough Woods and Highcliffe Nab
South-east from Slapewath towards Spa Wood, then south-west along the Cleveland Way to Highcliff Nab. South across Gisborough Moor to Percy Cross Rigg, then north-west across Hutton Moor to Hutton Lowcross Woods. Through the woods to Hutton Village Road and east to Brown Hill, before heading back to the start via Belmangate and the disused railway line. An 11-mile walk in the North York Moors.
Walk 2 – Commondale and Danby
South-east from Commondale to Castleton via Foul Green and Box Hall, then east along the Esk Valley Walk to Danby. South through Ainthorpe and up onto Ainthorpe Rigg before dropping into Danby Dale to join a minor road near Church House. North-west through the dale, again following the Esk Valley Walk, to High Castleton, then back to Commondale by way of Scale Foot and Thornhill Farm. A 10-mile walk in the North York Moors.
Walk 3 – Osmotherley and Over Silton
South from Square Corner to the top of Black Hambleton, then south-east along the Cleveland Way to White Gill Head. Further south for 1½ miles before leaving the Cleveland Way and heading generally west to Kepwick between Butcher’s Wood and Cowesby Wood. North-west across farmland to Nether Silton and Over Silton, then up through woodland to Hanging Stone. Finally north-east through Thimbleby Bank Plantation to Big Wood and east by way of Oak Dale back to the starting point. An 11-mile walk in the North York Moors.
Walk 4 – Farndale and Low Mill
West out of Church Houses to Monket House and uphill to join Westside Road, a track which crosses Rudland Rigg. South for three miles until the stone track becomes a tarmac road just before Hope Inn Farm, then east across Harland Moor and through woodland to Dale End Bridge. North through the dale to Rawson Syke and along Daleside Road to Low Mill. The last section of the trail follows the ‘Farndale Daffodil Walk’ alongside the River Dove to High Mill and back to Church Houses. An 11-mile walk in the North York Moors.
Walk 5 – Rosedale Abbey and Hutton-le-Hole
South from Rosedale Abbey along Gill Lane, then south-east to Hollins Farm and around the eastern perimeter of Spaunton Moor, generally following the course of the River Seven. After High Askew, west across farmland through Lastingham and all the way to Hutton-le-Hole. North from the village across Hutton Ridge to High Snapes and lastly north-east back to Rosedale Abbey by way of Bank Top and Chimney Bank Cottages. A 12-mile walk in the North York Moors.
