North York Moors Walks
Riverside daffodils, a steep little summit, a vast moorland hollow and a cliff-top trail: how to pick a day walk on the North York Moors.
The North York Moors offers walking routes for every ability, from level riverside strolls in Farndale to the short, steep climb of Roseberry Topping and long days on the Cleveland Way. Before setting out, it is worth knowing what "easy" or "challenging" means on this varied terrain of open moor, wooded valleys and cliff-top paths.
Well-known Walks at a Glance
| Walk | Start | Distance (approx.) | Character |
|---|---|---|---|
| Farndale daffodil walk | Low Mill | about 3 miles there and back | Easy, mostly level beside the River Dove |
| Falling Foss and May Beck | May Beck car park | short woodland loop | Easy to moderate, uneven woodland paths |
| Rail Trail, Goathland to Grosmont | Goathland | about 3–3½ miles one way | Easy to moderate, follows the old railway line |
| Roseberry Topping | Newton under Roseberry | short, 30 minutes to an hour up | Short but steep |
| Hole of Horcum and Levisham Moor | Saltergate, A169 | around 5 miles | Moderate, open moorland |
| Cleveland Way, Whitby to Robin Hood's Bay | Whitby | around 6–7 miles | Moderate, cliff-top path |
Short Walks and Classic Climbs
For a short but mighty Yorkshire walk, Roseberry Topping is a top choice. The 320-metre hill, known for its half-cone summit, is often called Yorkshire's Matterhorn, and the climb from the car park at Newton under Roseberry is short but steep, taking 30 minutes to an hour. The Cleveland Way national trail passes close by, and longer loops across Roseberry Common turn it into a half-day outing.
In spring, Farndale is famous for the wild daffodils along the River Dove, usually out from mid-March to mid-April. The walk from Low Mill to Church Houses is short and largely level, which makes it a good choice for families. Near Whitby, a path from May Beck follows the stream through woodland to Falling Foss, a waterfall on Little Beck, while the Rail Trail from Goathland to Grosmont follows the course of George Stephenson's original horse-drawn Whitby and Pickering Railway, via the hamlet of Beck Hole.
The Hole of Horcum is a huge natural hollow beside the A169. A popular circuit from Saltergate crosses Levisham Moor, with an optional detour to Skelton Tower, then returns along the valley floor. On the coast, the Cleveland Way cliff path from Whitby to Robin Hood's Bay is one of the best-loved sections of the 109-mile trail, which runs from Helmsley to Filey Brigg; nowhere is there a better prize for a coastal walk than finishing in Robin Hood's Bay.
Staying Safe on the Moor
Distance is only half the story. On open moorland the weather can change quickly, paths can be faint and mobile signal is patchy, so check the Met Office forecast, carry a map and compass as well as a phone, wear boots and waterproofs, and tell someone your route and return time. In an emergency, call 999 and ask for the police, then mountain rescue. Keep to cliff-top paths well back from the edge.
The Countryside Code applies everywhere: respect other people, leave gates and property as you find them, keep dogs under effective control, especially near livestock and ground-nesting birds, and take litter home. Distances in route guides vary with the start point, so check the North York Moors National Park Authority or National Trails route pages and a current Ordnance Survey map before you go.
