The North York Moors

Explore the sweeping heather moorlands, deep wooded valleys and dramatic cliff coastlines of the North York Moors National Park, one of England’s largest expanses of open moorland and a classic walking destination in North Yorkshire.

From remote high moors and sheltered dales to quaint villages and historic coastal towns such as Whitby and Robin Hood’s Bay, this diverse landscape offers something for walkers of all interests.

This comprehensive guidebook presents 50 varied walks throughout the National Park, ranging from short, accessible low-level routes to longer, more challenging moorland treks, including a staged presentation of the classic Lyke Wake Walk (65km).

• 50 walks across the North York Moors are described, covering the Tabular Hills, Hambleton Hills, Cleveland Hills, Northern Moors, High Moors, Eastern Moors and the Cleveland Coast, offering true variety from lowland paths to exposed high moorland scenery
• Routes range from 7–22 km (4–14 miles), with most routes taking between 2 and 7 hours, plus the Lyke Wake Walk, presented in four stages for a multi-day challenge
• 1:50,000 Ordnance Survey maps for every route, detailed descriptions and downloadable GPX files to help with navigation across the remote moorland and coastal paths of North Yorkshire
• Highlights include heather-clad moorland summits, dramatic sea cliffs at Whitby and Ravenscar, hidden dales such as Forge Valley, historic villages like Hutton-le-Hole, and the sense of space over the high moors
• Practical information on terrain, public transport, refreshments, accommodation and local facilities is included, helping you plan enjoyable days out from towns like Pickering and Scarborough

From carpets of purple heather in summer to snow-touched moorland in winter, the North York Moors reveal their own seasonal magic and a profound sense of wilderness. Whether you’re tackling classic moorland walks, exploring hidden valleys or following coastal paths with sea views, The North York Moors guidebook equips you with everything you need for unforgettable walking adventures in this rich and varied National Park.

Seasons

Spring and autumn are quiet, with good weather. The heather moorlands turn purple in summer, and it can be busy. Winter weather is harsh, with the moorlands becoming soaked or covered in deep snow.

Centres

Staithes, Whitby, Robin Hood's Bay, Scarborough, Pickering, Helmsley, Hutton-le-Hole, Bilsdale, Osmotherley, Great Ayton, Guisborough, Eskdale and Goathland.

Difficulty

Varied walks from 4 to 13½ miles. Terrain includes exposed moorlands, sheltered valleys, woodlands, forests and cliff coasts. No special equipment is needed on the lower, easier walks, but walkers need to be prepared for bad weather on the higher, longer and more exposed moorland walks, where good navigation is also required.

Must See

High heather moorlands, verdant dales and cliff coastline. Bustling towns and pretty villages. Abbeys, castles, prehistoric remains, industrial archaeology and interesting museums. The Lyke Wake Walk, Cleveland Way and interesting old railway paths.

Map key

Overview map

Introduction

Brief history of the moors

North York Moors industries

Getting to the North York Moors

Getting around the North York Moors

Accommodation

Food and drink

When to walk

Maps of the routes

National park visitor centres

Tourist information centres

Emergency services

Using this guide

The Tabular Hills

Walk 1West Ayton, Hackness and the Forge Valley

Walk 2Hackness, Broxa and Whisper Dales

Walk 3Lockton, Stain Dale, Saltergate and Levisham Moor

Walk 4Levisham and the Hole of Horcum

Walk 5Levisham Station, Levisham and Newton-on-Rawcliffe

Walk 6Hutton-le-Hole, Lastingham, Cropton and Appleton-le-Moors

Walk 7Gillamoor, Boonhill Common and Fadmoor

Walk 8Newgate Bank, Rievaulx Moor and Helmsley Bank

Walk 9Helmsley, Beck Dale and Ash Dale

Walk 10Hawnby Hill and Easterside Hill

The Hambleton Hills

Walk 11Rievaulx Abbey and Old Byland

Walk 12Byland Abbey, Mount Snever and Oldstead

Walk 13Sutton Bank, Gormire Lake and the White Horse

Walk 14Osmotherley, Thimbleby, Siltons and Black Hambleton

The Cleveland Hills

Walk 15Osmotherley, Beacon Hill and High Lane

Walk 16Chop Gate, Cringle Moor and Cock Howe

Walk 17Chop Gate, Urra Moor, Hasty Bank and Cold Moor

Walk 18Kildale, Ingleby Moor and Battersby Moor

Walk 19Kildale, Leven Vale, Baysdale and Hograh Moor

The Northern Moors

Walk 20Great Ayton, Easby Moor and Roseberry Topping

Walk 21Guisborough, Gisborough Moor and Hutton Village

Walk 22Danby, Siss Cross, Commondale and Castleton

Walk 23Scaling Dam, Clitherbeck, Danby and Beacon Hill

The High Moors

Walk 24Chop Gate, Cock Howe, Ryedale and Wetherhouse Moor

Walk 25Chop Gate, Tripsdale, Bransdale and Bilsdale

Walk 26Low Mill, Harland, Rudland Rigg and West Gill

Walk 27Church Houses, Bloworth Crossing and Farndale Moor

Walk 28Hutton-le-Hole, Ana Cross, Spaunton Moor and Lastingham

Walk 29Rosedale Abbey, Hartoft, Lastingham and Ana Cross

Walk 30Rosedale Ironstone Railway around Rosedale Head

Walk 31Rosedale Ironstone Railway from Blakey to Battersby

Walk 32Westerdale, Fat Betty, Westerdale Moor and Esklets

Walk 33Danby, Castleton, Botton Village and Danby Rigg

Walk 34Lealholm, Heads, Glaisdale Moor and Glaisdale Rigg

Walk 35Glaisdale Rigg, Egton High Moor and Egton Bridge

The Eastern Moors

Walk 36Goathland, Simon Howe, Wheeldale and Mallyan Spout

Walk 37Rail Trail from Moorgates to Goathland and Grosmont

Walk 38Goathland, Sleights Moor and Whinstone Ridge

Walk 39Goathland, Eller Beck, Lilla Howe and Goathland Moor

Walk 40Chapel Farm, Lilla Howe and Jugger Howe Beck

Walk 41Sleights, Ugglebarnby, Falling Foss and Littlebeck

The Cleveland Coast

Walk 42Runswick Bay, Hinderwell, Staithes and Port Mulgrave

Walk 43Runswick Bay, Kettleness and Goldsborough

Walk 44Whitby, Saltwick Bay, Robin Hood’s Bay and Hawsker

Walk 45Robin Hood’s Bay, Boggle Hole and Ravenscar

Walk 46Cloughton, Staintondale, Ravenscar and Hayburn Wyke

The Lyke Wake Walk

Walk 47Osmotherley, Carlton Bank, Cringle Moor and Hasty Bank

Walk 48Clay Bank, Urra Moor, Bloworth Crossing and Blakey

Walk 49Rosedale Head, Hamer, Wheeldale Moor and Simon Howe

Walk 50Eller Beck, Lilla Howe, Jugger Howe Moor and Ravenscar

Appendix ARoute summary table

Appendix BUseful contacts