As one of England’s largest national parks, it offers amazing walking opportunities in the North York Moors.
Wondering where to start? Don’t worry 😉 Here’s our list of eight of the best and most stunning day walks in the area, ready to get you excited, pack your bag, and hit the trail.
The North Yorkshire Moors National Park is a breathtaking natural landscape; heather-covered plains, ancient woodlands, and dramatic coastlines 🌿
A paradise for walkers, offering iconic trails suitable for all levels and interests, from beginners to those seeking a challenge.
The area is rich in fascinating history; ancient stone circles, burial mounds, and remnants dating back to the Roman and medieval periods.
And the best part? Even though it’s one of the largest parks in Britain, it’s much calmer and far less crowded than the usual tourist hotspots 👣
So if you’re asking, “Where should I go and explore?”
We say: “You’re in the right place” 😉
Here are eight of the most beautiful walks in the North Yorkshire Moors National Park, each offering a unique adventure and unforgettable iconic Yorkshire views.
- Location: Starts at Chop Gate
- Length: 8 miles / 12.8 km
- Duration: 4–5 hours ⏱️
- Type: Circular
- Elevation Gain: 539m
- Difficulty Level: Moderately challenging 💪
- Postcode: YO18 8QX
I love the Wainstones Circular Walk – I always return to it when I’m after a hike that combines stunning scenery with a moderate challenge in the North Yorkshire Moors National Park 💪
Starting from Chop Gate, or from Clay Bank (and if you start from Great Broughton it adds a few extra kilometers), the route takes you through the heart of the open wildlands of Cold and Urra Moor, leading to the iconic Wainstones, striking sandstone formations with a history dating back to the Bronze Age 🪨
The walk offers panoramic views of the surrounding hills and valleys, taking you through heather-clad landscapes, leading up to the long-awaited moment… the massive interlocking rocks of the Wainstones, a view that stops you in your tracks with its beauty 👀
Walking along the ridgeline with wide views across Teesside, including Roseberry Topping and the North Sea, is one of the highlights of the walk 🌊
But be careful – the route is exposed, the wind can be strong at times, and after rain some paths become muddy and heavy.
If you’re looking for one of the best walks in the North Yorkshire Moors, the Wainstones Circular Walk definitely makes the cut, no question about it 😉
- Location: Starts near Great Ayton 📍
- Length: 7 miles / 11 km
- Duration: 3–4 hours ⏱️
- Type: Circular
- Elevation Gain: 320m
- Difficulty Level: Easy – Moderate 💪
- Postcode: TS9 6PW 📍
Roseberry Topping is an unmissable hill, with its distinctive half-cone shape and jagged cliff, often called the “Yorkshire Matterhorn.” To me, it looks like the crest of a wave, and it’s a local icon that says, “You’re home” 🌊
This walk not only takes you to the summit of this iconic peak, but also passes by Captain Cook’s Monument, a sandstone obelisk on Easby Moor dedicated to the great navigator. Captain Cook was born in Marton, now part of Middlesbrough, in 1728, and spent much of his youth near Great Ayton ⛵
The trail offers stunning views across the Moors and the Vale of York, with a mix of woodland paths and open landscapes, making it a rich and varied experience. If you prefer something easier, there’s also the option to do an out-and-back just to Roseberry Topping, which takes around an hour ⏱️
The only downside? Its proximity to Middlesbrough means it gets very busy during peak times and in good weather. It’s best to go during quieter hours, like early in the morning, to enjoy the peace 😎
- Location: North of Pickering (starts at Saltergate Car Park on the A169) 📍
- Postcode: YO18 7NR 🇬🇧
- Length: 5.2 miles / 8.3 km
- Duration: 2–2.5 hours
- Type: Circular
- الارتفاع المكتسب: 321 متر
- Difficulty Level: Easy 😊
The Hole of Horcum is a massive natural amphitheater or bowl, formed by glacial erosion. Fascinatingly, the hole is still widening to this day, even though you wouldn’t notice it! 🌿
Legend says the hole was formed when a giant scooped up a handful of earth and threw it at his wife during a quarrel 😲
The Hole of Horcum Short Circular Walk, which takes you through the basin and around its rim, provides spectacular views into the hole itself and across the wild Levisham Moor landscape. The lower part of the trail mostly passes through fields and sparse woodland (which gets very muddy in winter), while the upper rim is open moorland. The best view of the hole is near the start of the walk at the top of the bank 👀
The area is rich in natural history, and as the seasons change, the colors of the vegetation shift, making each visit a unique and special experience 🌸
Once you’ve finished your walk, I highly recommend grabbing lunch (especially a Sunday roast) at Mallyan Spout. It’s a fantastic pub and hotel in Goathland, set in enchanting countryside, just a 10-minute drive from the Hole of Horcum 🍴
- Location: Starts at Ravenscar (YO13 0NE) 📍
- Starting Postcode: YO13 0NE 🇬🇧
- Length: Approximately 7 miles / 11 km 🚶♂️
- Duration: 3–4 hours ⏱️
- Type: One way 🌊
- Elevation Gain: Approximately 200m ⛰️
- Difficulty Level: Moderate 🙂
A few years ago, my sister and I spent a weekend walking from Scarborough to Whitby on the Cleveland Way, staying a night at the Boggle Hole YHA. It was an incredible experience that I highly recommend 🌟
But if you prefer something shorter, the Ravenscar to Robin Hoods Bay route is just as wonderful and perfect for a day walk 👌
The walk starts from the small Victorian village of Ravenscar, known as “The Town That Never Was,” and winds along the cliff tops to the picturesque fishing village of Robin Hoods Bay 🌊
The route is generally quite flat and follows well-signposted paths (just follow the Cleveland Way).
Along the way, you’ll see remnants of the area’s history, from old alum works (well worth a look around) to shipwrecks at low tide, and of course, endless sea and cliff views that never get boring 👀
The walk concludes in the narrow, winding streets of Robin Hoods Bay, a perfect place to explore and enjoy a well-earned coffee.
- Location: Near Whitby, YO22 5JD 📍
- Length: 3 miles / 4.8 km
- Duration: 45 minutes – 1 hour ⏱️
- Type: Out & Back
- Elevation Gain: 49m
- Difficulty Level: Easy 🙂
The May Beck and Falling Foss Walk is a short, peaceful stroll through one of the most beautiful woodlands in the North Yorkshire Moors National Park 🌳
The walk starts near the charming May Beck, following the river as you stroll under a canopy of calm trees, with the gentle sound of flowing water accompanying you all the way 🌊
The highlight of the walk is Faling Foss Waterfall, a 30-foot waterfall hidden in the forest. It’s best to visit after rain, when it’s at its strongest and most beautiful 💦
Try to reach the Hermitage Cave and the path above the waterfall if you can. There are also great rocks and trees for kids to climb, letting their imagination run free ✨
After the walk, you can stop at Falling Foss Tea Garden for afternoon tea — a perfect place to relax ☕
The trail is generally easy, with a few short climbs, making it suitable for most walkers.
If you’re looking for a short, peaceful walk, this is one of the best routes in the North York Moors National Park 🏞️
- Location: Starts at Sutton Bank Visitor Centre, Thirsk, North Yorkshire, YO7 2EH 📍
- Length: 3 miles / 4.8 km
- Duration: 1 to 2 hours ⏱️
- Type: Circular
- Elevation gain: 100 meters ⛰️
- Difficulty Level: Easy 🙂
The Sutton Bank Trail in the Hambleton area of North York Moors National Park offers what renowned writer and veterinarian James Herriot once described as “the most beautiful view in England” 🌄
This short trail lets you enjoy the famous panorama over the Vale of York and the distant Pennine hills.
During the walk, you’ll visit the Kilburn White Horse, a giant horse figure carved into the hillside. The circular route takes you to the top and back down, giving you a chance to view this masterpiece from all angles 👀
The White Horse was created by local businessman Thomas Taylor in 1857. Inspired by the white chalk figures in southern England, he decided to make one for his northern village of Kilburn 🐴
The trail is relatively easy and family-friendly, featuring woodland paths and wide views of the surrounding landscape 🌿
- Location: Starts at Grosmont (Postcode YO22 5QE) 📍
- Length: 3.5 miles (5.6 km)
- Duration: 1.5 to 2 hours ⏱️
- Type: One-way (outbound only)
- Elevation gain: 13 meters ⛰️
- Difficulty Level: Easy 🙂
This charming trail follows a gravel path along the old railway line (originally for horse-drawn wagons), connecting the picturesque villages of Grosmont and Goathland, which became famous as “Hogsmeade” in the Harry Potter films ✨
In Goathland, you can then take the famous heritage train back to Grosmont – a perfect walk for kids or anyone who loves trains 🚂
The trail takes you through beautiful woodlands and natural moorlands, alongside streams and rolling hills, with a chance to see the iconic steam trains running on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway. This walk is full of nostalgia and natural beauty, making it enjoyable for the whole family 🌿
- Location: Starts from Helmsley, usually postcode YO62 5AT 📍
- Length: 7 miles (11.3 km) 🏞️
- Duration: 3–4 hours ⏱️
- Elevation gain: Moderate ⛰️
- Type: Out-and-back (or circular) 🔄
- Difficulty level: Easy to moderate 🙂
The Helmsley to Rievaulx Abbey Trail is a scenic 7-mile journey full of history and beauty in the North York Moors, starting from the historic town of Helmsley 🏰
This trail is part of the Cleveland Way, gradually ascending to give wide views of the town and castle. The route offers stunning scenery over the Rye Dale valley and surrounding moorlands. If you walk in spring, you might see the bluebells in full bloom across the woodlands 🌸
The highlight of the walk is the majestic Rievaulx Abbey, an old Cistercian monastery managed by English Heritage, dating back to 1132. Exploring these ruins amidst forested hills gives a magical glimpse into England’s monastic history ⛪
You can return the same way, or if you want a longer walk, you can make a loop via Rievaulx Terrace and Grief Farm above the abbey for an extra adventure and dramatic views 🌿
These eight top trails in the North York Moors showcase the diversity and beauty of this stunning national park in Yorkshire 🌄
Whether you’re looking for a challenging hike or a peaceful, relaxing stroll, these popular trails offer something for everyone, with breathtaking views, rich history, and abundant nature 🌿
So lace up your walking boots and get ready for an adventure in one of England’s most beautiful landscapes 👣
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