The 12 best hikes in the North York Moors National Park

The 12 best hikes in the North York Moors National Park

The best walks in the North York Moors National Park are a wonderful way to explore the region's rich and vibrant landscapes

The North York Moors are perhaps England's most diverse national park. Home to stunning stretches of unspoiled coastline and the largest heath moorland in England and Wales, the North York Moors are one of the country's premier walking destinations.

The North York Moors were declared a national park in 1952 and cover an area of ​​1,430 km2 with over 2,000 km of well-maintained hiking trails. They offer a wide variety of English landscapes. The park is home to rare heather moorland, ancient woodlands, countless waterways and 26 miles of some of England's most magnificent coastline.

Here we share the best walks in the North York Moors National Park: 12 great ways to explore an area of ​​Britain full of extraordinary surprises.

Best hikes in the North York Moors National Park

From gentle strolls along winding rivers and peaceful meadows to more challenging hikes along coastal paths or across raised moorland plains, we've picked the best walks in the North York Moors National Park.

For more information about accommodations and activities in the park, visit the national park website.

1. Forge Valley Woods

Distance: 6.3km (4mi)Duration: 2-3 hoursDifficulty: Easy

alt="A boardwalk through Forge Valley Woods">Steven W. Grant/ShutterstockA boardwalk through Forge Valley Woods

This leisurely walk along the Derwent riverbank winds through Forge Valley Woods National Nature Reserve. The Forge Valley takes its name from the foundries that were built there in the 14th century. The foundries used the local forest as a source of charcoal to smelt iron ore.

Today the forests and their waters are protected for the numerous birds, fish and otters that frequent the area. The path is mostly a gentle forest path with only occasional steeper sections.

2. Great Ayton Moor

Distance: 7km (4.4mi)Duration: 2 hoursDifficulty: Easy

alt="Captain Cook's Monument on Great Ayton Moor">Bernd Brüggemann/ShutterstockCaptain Cook's Monument on Great Ayton Moor

Today Great Ayton Moor is a peaceful place offering sweeping views of the North Sea. However, during the Second World War it was the unlikely site of psychological warfare against the North York Moors.

Several fuel tanks were installed on the moor and set on fire when a German bomber attack began. The flames were then quickly extinguished to produce smoke. The end effect was to deceive the attackers into believing the smoke was coming from the town of Middlesborough. Great Ayton Moor was one of many decoy towns established as a “starfish” site during the conflict.

There are still several historical sites in the area, including a control bunker and anti-aircraft installations. There is also a 15m high obelisk erected in 1827 in honor of Captain James Cook.

3. Roseberry topping

Distance: 13km (8mi)Duration: 3-4 hoursDifficulty: Medium

alt="Roseberry Topping is one of the best walks in the North York Moors National Park">Lukasz Pajor/ShutterstockRoseberry Topping, also known as the “Yorkshire Matterhorn”

This classic walk can easily be extended to include the above Ayton Moor attractions. Roseberry Topping's striking peak is known as the Yorkshire Matterhorn, although no ropes, ice axes or crampons are needed on this 320m hill.

The circular route includes some typical moorland scenes and a wonderful climb to the rocky summit as well as the aforementioned Captain Cook’s Monument. The best time of year to complete the walk is in spring, when bluebells, wood sorrel and stitchwort burst into color.

4. Helmsley & Rievaulx Abbey

Distance: 11km (7mi)Duration: 2-3 hoursDifficulty: Medium

alt="The Ruins of Rievaulx Abbey">Zoonar GmbH/Shutterstock photo agencyThe ruins of Rievaulx Abbey

This is a well-trodden and popular country footpath that runs along part of the Cleveland Way and never fails to delight. The highlight of the hike are the impressive ruins of the Rievaulx Abbey from the 12th century. This was one of England's great abbeys until it was confiscated in 1538 on the orders of Henry VIII during the Dissolution of the Monasteries.

The ruins are spectacular from every angle and provide a tranquil escape from the busy market town of Helmsley, which should be used to end the walk with cream tea, ale or both.

5. Osmotherley

Distance: 11km (7mi)Duration: 2-3 hoursDifficulty: Easy-medium

alt="The ruins of Mount Grace Priory near Osmotherley">Tom Curtis/ShutterstockHikers can take a short detour to Mount Grace Priory

This popular route follows part of the ancient path of the Lyke Wake Walk, an unofficial 40-mile challenge to traverse the highest and widest part of the North York Moors National Park in under 24 hours.

But don't let that put you off. This circular walk, which starts and ends in Osmotherley, covers just a tiny section of the Lyke Wake Walk. The route branches off into open moorland and ancient woodland via a footbridge before joining the Cleveland Way back to Osmotherley.

Hikers can take a short detour to visit the well-preserved monastic ruins and landscaped gardens of Mount Grace Priory.

6. Robin Hood's Cove

Distance: 4.3km (2.7mi)Duration: 1-2 hoursDifficulty: Easy

alt="Robin Hood's Bay Village and Water">Constantin Stanciu/ShutterstockRobin Hood’s Bay is one of Yorkshire’s most famous villages

One of Yorkshire's most historic villages is also one of its most picturesque. Dramatic, foreboding cliffs overlook Robin Hood's Bay and its collection of red-roofed fishing huts stretching to the shores of the infamous Smugglers' Bay.

This circular route quickly gains elevation up the hilltops surrounding the village for the best views of this postcard perfect setting. Once you've crossed the bay over the bridge, the path joins the Cleveland Way and takes you back to Robin Hood's Bay, which offers some of the most captivating sea views in the region.

7. Sutton Bank

Distance: 13.4km (8.3mi)Duration: 4-5 hoursDifficulty: Medium

alt="The 100m high Kilburn White Horse">Steve Allen/ShutterstockThe 100m high Kilburn White Horse

The route to Sutton Bank lies on the western edge of the North York Moors National Park and offers some of the most breathtaking views in the area. The trail traverses some of the park's most varied landscapes, including winding forests, enchanting cliffs, green valleys and seemingly endless heathlands.

There is also the famous 100m high Kilburn White Horse, a peat figure carved into the hillside. Completed in 1857, the figure was funded by a Victorian businessman who reportedly wanted to emulate the 3,000-year-old Uffington White Horse in Oxfordshire.

8. Wainstone's Walk

Distance: 13km (8mi)Duration: 3-4 hoursDifficulty: Medium

alt="The Rocks of the Wainstones, one of the best walks in the North York Moors National Park">John Ray Gordon/ShutterstockThe Rocks of the Wainstones

This is another very worthwhile path. The path traverses the Cold Moor highlands en route to the striking rocky cliffs known as the Wainstones. The striking sandstone cliffs, popular with climbers, are the largest such group in the North York Moors.

Vast views of the northern moors unfold relentlessly along the path, which is also dotted with evidence of the Bronze Age people who inhabited the area over 3,000 years ago. Look out for the boundary markers and ancient graves.

9. Ferndale

Distance: 5.6km (3.5mi)Duration: 1-2 hoursDifficulty: Easy

alt=”Daffodils in Farndale, one of the best walks in the North York Moors National Park”>deargdoom57/CC 2.0Farndale is known as the “Daffodil Valley”.

This cheerful walk is popular with families thanks to its accessibility and gentle contours. The aptly named “Daffodil Dale” is best reached on foot in spring, when the carpet of yellow flowers is in full bloom.

The delightful trail follows a pretty riverside path along the banks of the River Dove with footpaths through open grassland and some shady woodland. The route can easily be extended along the river to the Daffy Caffy tea room in High Mill or further to the Feversham Arms Inn in Church Houses.

10. Goat Country

Distance: 9.6km (6mi)Duration: 2-3 hoursDifficulty: Medium

• alt=“Goathland ist eine der besten Wanderungen im North York Moors National Park“>
• alt=“Mallyan Spout ist eine der besten Wanderungen im North York Moors National Park“>

Daniel J. Rao & Neil Hopkinson/Shutterstock

The Whitby-to-Pickering and Mallyan Spout railway line

An extremely charming walk through the sprawling village of Goathland takes you to the waterfall of Mallyan Spout, the roaring waters of Beck Hole, a quiet wooded valley, some high fields and the original Whitby to Pickering railway line.

Mallyan Spout, the highest single fall in the North York Moors, has spent millennia forging a 20m high slide through the limestone gorge in the forest, creating a magical scene in the process. A short rocky climb and often slippery and muddy terrain must be negotiated in places along the trail.

11. FROM COAST TO COAST

Distance: 77km (48mi)Duration: 3-4 daysDifficulty: Difficult

alt=“A vast heathland near Glaisdale on the coast to coast coast, one of the best walks in the North York Moors National Park”>Daniel J. Rao/ShutterstockAn extensive heathland near Glaisdale on the coast to coast coast

Designed and popularized by Alfred Wainwright, the Coast-to-Coast Walk is neither a national path nor a unique footpath, but it is still one of Britain's best long-distance walks. The unofficial trail starts in St Bees on the west coast and crosses three major English national parks: the Lake District, the Yorkshire Dales and the North York Moors.

The North York Moors coast to coast section is usually divided into three parts:

• Ingleby Cross zum Clay Bank Top, 18,5 km
• Clay Bank Top nach Glaisdale, 30 km
• Glaisdale nach Robin Hoods Bay, 31 km

Each section can be completed as a point-to-point day hike or divided into smaller hikes as desired. Of course, the entire ensemble shows a cross-section of the most beautiful landscapes in the national park.

Recommended reading: The Coast to Coast Walk

12. Cleveland Way

Distance: 175km (109mi)Duration: 9 daysDifficulty: Difficult

alt=“A typical coastal scene along the Cleveland Way, one of the best walks in the North York Moors National Park”>Helen Hotson/ShutterstockA typical coastal scene along the Cleveland Way

This classic but intense multi-day national walking trail starts in the historic market town of Helmsley and heads across the North York Moors to the coast at Saltburn-by-the-Sea. The well signposted clifftop path then follows the east coast south to the traditional seaside resort of Filey.

Along the way, the trail takes in the best of the park's famous moorland, a beautiful section of the Coast-to-Coast Walk and the entire national park's famous 42 km coastline.

Heather-covered ridges, lush valleys, historic ruins, ancient fishing villages, towering cliffs, rocky coasts, steep wooded valleys and sheltered coves with sandy beaches can be found on this ultimate North Yorkshire adventure.

Further information: National TrailsRecommended reading: The Cleveland Way and the Yorkshire Wolds Way

alt=”The 12 Best Hikes in the North York Moors National Park Pinterest”>

Main image: Lukasz Pajor/Shutterstock

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