Purple heather, golden sand and classic hiking — North York Moors

Hiking Collection by Dan Hobson

Tours

36:22 h

79.8 mi

8,600 ft

The North York Moors National Park is an extremely special place. Where else do you find stunning moorland next to golden beaches? Picturesque fishing villages set amid wildflower meadows? Ancient ruins next to bustling harbours? There truly is nowhere quite like it.

From the glorious coastline — an example of the British seaside at its best — wild moorland erupts proudly before giving way to lush meadows and farmland. Three quarters of all the world’s heather moorland is in Britain and North Yorkshire boasts the largest expanse in England.

In winter, the moors have a rugged and melancholy charm. In the summer, they burst into glorious purple blossoms as the heather flowers. At any time of year, the moors are a welcome escape from the hustle-and-bustle of modern life.

With such a rich variety of scenery and things to explore, there’s something for everybody in the North York Moors and the routes in this Collection represent that. Whether you want to hike up hills and through empty moors, saunter through ancient ruins and churches, relax on sandy beaches, paddle in the sea, swim in freshwater lakes, admire cliff-top views, or explore hidden coves, there will be something to fall in love with in this glorious part of England.

This Collection reveals the many different sides of this national park. With routes of varying lengths, for all ages and abilities, you will be taken to some of the best known sites and best kept secrets of the North York Moors on these Tours.

Whitby is a fantastic choice to stay when visiting the area. A fascinating town to explore in its own right, the ancient port boasts a huge range of accommodation, plenty of food and drink options, a glorious beach, history, nightlife, museums, and more.

There is an abundance of classic countryside and coastal walks straight from Whitby, too, and fantastic bus links from the town to inland honeypot towns and villages. Whitby has a train station, too, with decent connections from all over the country.

If you opt to stay somewhere a little more off the beaten track, there are also train stations in the nearby towns of York, Malton, Scarborough, Middlesbrough, Saltburn by the Sea, Northallerton and Thirsk, with good bus links from the stations.

On The Map

Tours & Highlights

Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors
Roseberry Topping and Captain Cook's Monument — North York Moors
Intermediate
03:42
7.69 mi
2.1 mph
1,200 ft
1,200 ft
Intermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
A young James Cook spent many days exploring the countryside of this route. Perhaps the tantalising views of the North Sea from the summit of Roseberry Topping set something alight in his heart; paving the way for his iconic maritime adventures.

This spectacular circuit takes you through some beloved…
by Dan Hobson
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Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors
The Wainstones, Cold Moor and Urra Moor — North York Moors
Intermediate
04:05
8.13 mi
2.0 mph
1,525 ft
1,525 ft
Intermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
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Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors
Robin Hood's Bay — North York Moors
Intermediate
03:03
6.85 mi
2.2 mph
625 ft
625 ft
Intermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
This circuit is an absolute classic. Taking you along cliff tops from Robin Hood’s Bay to Maw Wyke and back along an old railway line, expect heart-melting views throughout; out to sea and over the rolling hills, hidden coves and picturesque fishing villages.

You begin by following the coastal path. As…
by Dan Hobson
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Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors
Helmsley Castle to Rievaulx Abbey — North York Moors
Intermediate
04:52
11.0 mi
2.3 mph
925 ft
925 ft
Intermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
The North York Moors coastline is so charming and beautiful, it’s easy to ignore the captivating history inland. This spellbinding circuit reveals another side of the national park.

Before getting into the details of this route, please note that many of the highlights have an entrance charge. As such…
by Dan Hobson
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Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors
Staithes to Whitby Four Beach Walk — North York Moors
Expert
05:21
12.1 mi
2.3 mph
1,025 ft
1,050 ft
Expert Hiking Tour. Very good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
If you’re after a spectacular hike along the North York Moors Heritage Coast, look no further. On this Tour you can expect breathtaking cliff-top views, fishing villages, hidden coves, golden beaches, wildflower meadows and rolling hills every single step of the way.

The great thing about this one-way…
by Dan Hobson
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Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors
Mallyan Spout and Thomason Foss — North York Moors
Intermediate
02:38
5.85 mi
2.2 mph
600 ft
600 ft
Intermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
This idyllic loop takes you to the tallest waterfall in the North York Moors, Mallyan Spout, plus the picturesque Thomason Foss. Expect stunning scenery, classic hiking and a sumptuous sense of time standing still.

The hike starts from the car park at Goathland Station, on the North York Moors Railway…
by Dan Hobson
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Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors
Rosedale ‘iron rush’ route — North York Moors
Intermediate
03:03
6.74 mi
2.2 mph
675 ft
675 ft
Intermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
The landscape around Rosedale saw an ‘iron rush’ during Victorian times. So valuable was the Rosedale Ironstone that 19th-century mine owners made every effort to extract it, even in remote areas.

This loop explores this bygone heritage while revealing the beautiful landscapes that nature has since reclaimed…
by Dan Hobson
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Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors
Whitby: coastal views, cobbled streets and golden beach — North York Moors
Easy
01:19
3.00 mi
2.3 mph
250 ft
250 ft
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
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Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors
Danby loop — North York Moors
Intermediate
04:52
11.1 mi
2.3 mph
775 ft
775 ft
Intermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
This loop rises into the wild expanse of Danby Low Moor and returns via the picturesque Esk Valley. Idyllic villages, spectacular views, classic moorland hiking all lie in wait on this hike.

From the quaint moorland village of Danby, the trail passes the Moors National Park Centre and then rises along…
by Dan Hobson
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Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors
Kilburn White Horse to Gormire Lake — North York Moors
Intermediate
03:27
7.34 mi
2.1 mph
975 ft
975 ft
Intermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
Exploring one of the area’s most famous landmarks, the best wild swimming spot, and including majestic woodland and breathtaking cliff-top views, this route is a hidden gem of the North York Moors.

You start by exploring Kilburn White Horse. Carved into the bank, the 314 feet (96 m) long and 220 feet…
by Dan Hobson
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