Hole of Horcum Walk: Discover Skelton Tower and Levisham Moor

Complete Guide to the Hole of Horcum Walk Across the North York Moors

To begin your Hole of Horcum walk, park at the North York Moors National Park car park at Saltergate. This car park sits beside the A169 Whitby to Pickering road, right at the top of Saltergate Brow. From here, leave the car park, cross the road, and turn right to walk along the gravel path. As the path bends close to the A169, you’ll soon reach an information board welcoming you to Levisham Moor.

At this point, turn left and follow the footpath downhill into the Hole of Horcum. You’ll pass through open landscape, eventually arriving at Low Horcum. Here, pass the stone barn and continue straight across the meadowland, being careful not to take any steep paths leading uphill to your left. At the end of the meadow, go through a gate, entering a wooded area. Keep to the path along a dry stone wall as it continues through the valley, gradually descending toward the valley floor.

Soon, the path leads you down to a small stream, where you’ll cross via a footbridge. Just beyond the footbridge, you’ll come to a junction. Take the right-hand path and begin the uphill trek through the narrow ravine of Dundale Griff. At the top, the trail splits; take the left fork, which leads onto a wider stone track. Follow this track, signposted towards Newton upon Rawcliffe. The track then broadens into a tarmac lane called Limpsey Gate Lane, guiding you towards the village of Levisham after roughly two-thirds of a mile.

Once in Levisham, take some time to explore the village. When ready to continue, face the Horseshoe Inn, then take the road to the left of the pub, signposted to Levisham Station. This road, called Braygate Lane, marks the halfway point of your Hole of Horcum walk. After about a third of a mile, as the road curves left towards the station, continue straight ahead along the narrower country lane. Walk for just under half a mile until you reach a gate, which opens onto open moorland.

Proceed along the bridleway beside a dry stone wall for about a third of a mile. As the wall ends, follow the grassy path straight ahead across the moorland. The path gradually ascends before leading you down towards Skelton Tower. Upon reaching Skelton Tower, turn right and take the grassy path heading east, with the steep valley slopes to your left. Follow this trail as it curves north-east across Levisham Bottoms, with the imposing slopes of West Side Brow rising to your right.

Continue along this path for approximately two miles, enjoying the sweeping moorland views. Eventually, the path ascends steeply, bringing you back to the A169 and the information board you encountered at the start of your walk. From here, retrace your steps along the gravel path back to the car park, completing your 8-mile Hole of Horcum walk through the stunning landscapes of the North York Moors.

Hole of Horcum 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 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.

About the Hole of Horcum

The Hole of Horcum, often known as the ‘Devil’s Punchbowl’, is a striking natural feature in the heart of the North York Moors National Park. This immense, bowl-shaped depression stretches across three-quarters of a mile (1.2 kilometres) and plunges to a depth of around 400 feet (120 metres). Located conveniently off the A169 between Whitby and Pickering, the site attracts walkers and tourists eager to experience its unique landscape and history.

Historically, the name ‘Hole of Horcum’ has evolved over centuries, with early forms including Hotcumbe, Holcumbe, Horcombe, and Horkome. The Old English term ‘horh’ translates to ‘filth’, while ‘cumb’, a Brittonic Celtic word, means ‘bowl-shaped valley’. These ancient linguistic roots highlight the site’s deep heritage.

Geologically, the Hole of Horcum formed through a natural process known as spring-sapping. Over thousands of years, water from underground springs gradually eroded the surrounding rock, causing the ground to collapse and creating the expansive hollow visible today.

Local folklore, however, offers a more whimsical story. According to legend, Wade the Giant carved out this amphitheatre during an argument with his wife, Bell. In his anger, he supposedly scooped up a giant handful of earth to throw at her, leaving the vast depression behind. The tale claims that the clump of earth landed nearby, forming the hill of Blakey Topping.

The area surrounding the Hole of Horcum holds significant archaeological interest. Evidence of human presence here dates back to the Bronze and Iron Ages. As you explore Levisham Moor and the valley, you’ll find ancient earthworks and burial mounds scattered across the landscape, adding historical depth to the area’s natural beauty.

Hole of Horcum Walk: My Photos

The Saltergate car park features a traditional rectangular dry-stone wall surrounding a set of paving stones. On the paving stones, an inscription carved into the stone provides a thoughtful introduction to the journey ahead.

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The inscription carved into the stone reads:

Ancient remains, a haven for nature,
a land of myth and giants.
Set out and discover the beauty and tranquility of the
HOLE OF HORCUM
and LEVISHAM MOOR.
Walk among a vast, natural amphitheatre
of moorland, grassland and woodland.
A place forged over thousands of years by water and frost,
a place protected for nature.
Go further and the ground whispers
clues of ancient human past.
THE LAND IS CALLING,
you only have to look and listen.

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After crossing the road from the car park, we join the path, which immediately rewards us with stunning views down into the Hole of Horcum. This vast natural hollow invites us into a journey through its unique landscape.

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The path briefly runs parallel to the A169, a road connecting Whitby and Pickering. Looking northward, we spot the radar station at RAF Fylingdales on the horizon, a pyramidal structure replacing the ‘golf balls’ I remember from childhood.

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Soon after, we come across an information board welcoming us to Levisham Moor. Instead of continuing through the gate and onto Levisham Moor, we take a left-hand path, leading us down into the heart of the Hole of Horcum.

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A narrow, well-maintained gravel path guides us downhill into the dramatic landscape of the Hole of Horcum. The descent itself is enjoyable, giving us a sense of the scale of this vast hollow.

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As we walk, we notice the rolling grassy slopes around us. These undulating hills are a striking feature, sculpted by centuries of natural erosion. The depression was formed through spring sapping, where groundwater erodes softer rock layers, causing the land to slump and sink over time. The gentle waves in the landscape likely reflect historical water movement, erosion, and perhaps even ancient landslides or shifts in the rock below.

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Continuing down into this huge natural amphitheatre, we see the path stretching into the distance. It’s well-laid, easy to navigate, and a promising start to our Hole of Horcum walk.

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Before long, we reach Low Horcum, passing the iconic barn encircled by a dry-stone wall. Nearly every walker through the Hole of Horcum seems to take a photo of this barn—it’s a true landmark here.

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We continue along a grassy trail through Horcum Slack. We’re now just over one and a half miles (2.4 kilometres) into our Hole of Horcum walk, taking in the beautiful surroundings.

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From Horcum Slack, our route follows a narrow path beside a dry-stone wall. This path is easy to follow, leading us through the scenic countryside on the eastern side of the valley.

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The trail dips into the bottom of the valley, where a footbridge allows us to cross a small stream. We’re now close to the junction where we’ll turn right to walk up through Dundale Griff.

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At the junction, we turn right, following a grassy path up into Dundale Griff. Normally, a signpost indicates Dundale Griff here, but today, we notice it has been removed. I expect it will be replaced soon.

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The path uphill through Dundale Griff is delightful, with trees lining our right side, guiding us through the landscape. In northern England, a ‘griff’ describes a small valley or ravine formed by water erosion. It’s often a dry or shallow gully, carrying water only after heavy rain.

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Reaching the top of Dundale Griff, the valley gradually flattens out. The last few trees form a natural canopy over the path as we emerge into open moorland, leaving the ravine behind and continuing on our Hole of Horcum walk.

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We follow Limpsey Gate Lane to reach the northern edge of Levisham village. This lane is also popular among walkers following the Tabular Hills Walk, which crosses parts of the North York Moors.

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The Horseshoe Inn in Levisham is a charming 19th-century inn, offering both restaurant and accommodation—a welcome retreat for travellers.

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Levisham village is a picturesque sight, with traditional stone cottages and manicured lawns lining the road. This view looks down the road from north to south, capturing the charm of the area.

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St John the Baptist Church in Levisham, built in the nineteenth century, replaced the older Church of St Mary the Virgin, now a ruin located between Lockton and Levisham. St John’s became the parish church in the 1950s when St Mary’s ceased to be used.

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Inside the porch of St John the Baptist Church, two boards display the names of all 46 rectors of Levisham since 1289—a remarkable glimpse into the area’s history.

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After lunch in Levisham, we resume our Hole of Horcum walk, leaving the village via Braygate Lane.

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We pass Highland cattle on Levisham Moor. Known for their long horns and thick, shaggy coats, these hardy animals are perfectly suited to the rugged, open landscapes and often harsh weather of the moors. Their coat, with long outer hair and a soft undercoat, allows them to withstand cold, damp conditions.

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Crossing Levisham Moor, we crest a hill and are greeted with expansive views of Cropton Forest and the surrounding North York Moors countryside.

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Our route continues along a grassy track downhill, with Skelton Tower visible in the distance, beckoning us onwards.

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As we descend, the woodlands across Newton Dale captivate us. The trees display a beautiful mix of colours and textures typical of autumn in the North York Moors. Arranged in horizontal layers, each section reflects the seasonal change differently, creating a striking striped effect across the landscape.

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The grassy track leads us directly to Skelton Tower, a highlight of our Hole of Horcum walk. The anticipation builds as we approach this iconic spot.

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Skelton Tower is a small, square stone building with partially standing walls, featuring arched windows and doorways. Perched on Corn Hill Point on Levisham Moor, it overlooks the Newton Dale valley. Built around 1830 by the Reverend Robert Skelton, this two-storey structure served as both a shooting lodge and a retreat. Some accounts suggest Reverend Skelton used it as a secluded spot to write sermons or enjoy a quiet drink. Constructed from dressed sandstone with ashlar dressings, the tower has a square layout, with arched windows and doorways typical of the period’s architectural style. Over the years, parts of the structure have fallen into ruin, enhancing its romantic and picturesque appeal. In 1978, the North York Moors National Park Authority undertook partial restoration to preserve its historical significance.

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The north-east view from Skelton Tower is nothing short of spectacular, especially on this clear autumn day. The colours are vivid, and the view stretches far into the distance.

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From the tower, shifting our view towards the north, we look down into the valley, where farm buildings are visible at a location known as Kale Pot Hole.

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Skelton Tower’s elevated position offers views that attract photographers from near and far. In my opinion, it’s one of the finest views in the North York Moors. From here, the North Yorkshire Moors Railway winds through Newton Dale, accompanied by Pickering Beck. This heritage railway stretches approximately 24 miles (38 kilometres) from Grosmont to Pickering, with some trains starting from Whitby.

Originally opened in 1836 as the Whitby and Pickering Railway, the line was part of George Stephenson’s larger vision to connect Whitby and York. It became part of the North Eastern Railway, serving as an essential route for goods and passengers across Yorkshire throughout the 19th and 20th centuries. Like many rural lines, however, it was closed to regular passenger services in the 1960s as part of the Beeching cuts. In 1973, the North Yorkshire Moors Railway Preservation Society restored it as a heritage railway. Today, it’s operated primarily by volunteers and offers journeys on vintage steam and diesel trains, often with carriages that recreate the mid-20th-century rail experience.

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Leaving Skelton Tower, we follow a grassy path in a north-easterly direction across Levisham Bottoms, with the bracken-covered slopes of West Side Brow on our right.

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As we continue north-east across Levisham Bottoms, a vantage point offers a view down to the railway line, with Pickering Beck just visible.

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The path from Skelton Tower across Levisham Bottoms stretches over two miles (3.2 kilometres). At times, it feels never-ending. Occasionally, we spot diverging paths, but we stay close to the bottom of West Side Brow’s slopes, keeping the bracken-covered hillside to our right.

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Eventually, we recognise the woodland near the A169 bend, which we passed at the start of our Hole of Horcum walk.

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Returning to the path, we follow it back to Saltergate car park, pausing once more to take in the impressive hollow before completing our Hole of Horcum walk.

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