These short walks in the North York Moors are a great way to give the area the attention it deserves.
We are guilty of not spending as much time in The North York Moors as we would like. There are so many excellent walking opportunities, and they are not only accessible to those who love a considerable hike. All of our chosen walks in this article take approx 1-2 hours to complete. Here are short walks in the North York Moors to take advantage of.
When is the best time of year to visit the North York Moors?
Although beautiful year round, we would say the best time to visit North York is Spring or Autumn. The changing seasons are really beautiful, and it’s not too warm, which is suitable for walking. In August, the heather that carpets the uplands is in full bloom in shades of pink and purple, although you may have to contend with a few more walkers!
FREE Whitby Mini-Guide
"Get the best from your stay in Whitby." - Everything you need to know about Whitby into a free mini-guide!
1. Rievaulx Circular
- A 2.5-mile circular route.
- Takes approx 1 hour 10 minutes to complete.
- This is an easy walk with views of Rievaulx Abbey and Rievaulx Terrace.
This is one of the six new routes created through the Ryevitalise Landscape Partnership Scheme, encouraging people to explore the River Rye.
Route overview
Starting from Rievaulx Abbey, head northeast for 250 meters along Rievaulx Bank. On your right, you will come across St Mary’s Church, originally built as a ‘slipper’ chapel in the 13th century. The current building was erected in 1906 as the parish church.
Continue a few metres up the road and turn left onto Arden Lane. This path takes you up and over a short rise through the woodland. Keep on the main track, bearing left at the fork to descend the hill.
You’ll cross over the Grade 2 listed Bow Bridge before turning left through a field gate, heading southeast into a rough wooded pasture section. Be mindful that the natural grassy path can be soft and muddy in wet weather.
After passing through the gate into the woodland, follow the track as it ascends. This woodland is teeming with birdlife throughout the year and bursts with snowdrops, bluebells, and the occasional orchid during spring.
The path continues uphill through the wood. Upon reaching the top, look left for glimpses of Rievaulx Abbey and the wooded terraces and temples beyond.
Following the path around the contour of Ashberry Hill, you will arrive at Ashberry Farm. The following section leads you along the road to the east until you cross over the Grade 2 listed Rievaulx Bridge and then turn left to head north back into Rievaulx village.
Facilities and parking
You can find regular toilets in the Rievaulx Abbey car park, but please note that there are no disabled toilets available there. However, visitors to the Abbey can use a disabled toilet located in the Abbey visitor centre.
Parking in Rievaulx is quite limited. Walkers can use the roadside parking, but arriving early to secure a space is advisable. Please note that the English Heritage car park is exclusively for visitors to the Abbey and cannot be used by walkers.
2. Pexton Moor Blue Trail, Dalby Forest
- This is a 1.5-mile loop route.
- Takes approx 45 minutes to one hour to complete.
- This easy trail around Pexton Moor passes through various woodland habitats and offers views of the rugged landscapes of Dalby and Ellerburn.
There is a huge choice of routes to try in Dalby Forest. We have picked out one great one for you, the Pexton Moor Trail. Along the way, be sure to stop and admire the striking Lumberjill Sculpture, a tribute to the women who worked in British forests during the Second World War.
Route overview
This route begins at Haygate car park. Follow the blue markers to follow this trail. Trail maps are also available to buy from the visitor centre.
This route encompasses a combination of earth tracks, forest roads, and compacted gravel paths, but it can be slippery in wet weather.
Facilities and parking
Parking is close to the Visitor Centre, which has various accessible spaces.
The Visitor Centre is also home to the Dalby Forest Cafe, which offers both indoor and outdoor seating. There are also toilets and a shop.
3. May Beck and Falling Foss Circular
- This is a 2-mile circular route.
- Takes approx 1 hour to complete.
- It is an easy circular walk, perfect for families.
One of our favourite places to explore while staying on the North Yorkshire Coast is Falling Foss Waterfall and the surrounding woodland area. It’s a perfect place to visit with the family as walking is not too difficult for younger children.
Route overview
From the car park entrance, do not cross the bridge. Instead, turn right and head uphill on a stone/gravel track, then immediately turn right again along a level track. After about 20m, turn left and climb up rough stone steps, following a winding path through the bracken.
As you reach a gate, do not go left over the stile. Instead, turn right and follow the path into the wood. Stay on this path, ignoring minor paths to the left and right.
At a junction with a stony track, turn right and head downhill. At the bottom, do not go over the stone bridge, but turn left to cross a footbridge.
Bear right and pass Midge Hall (Falling Foss Tea Garden), keeping the fence on your left and taking the lower of the two paths. Below is Falling Foss waterfall, and as the path soon becomes unfenced, take care.
Pass through a gap in an old low wall to reach a signpost. Turn right (signposted ‘Car Park’) and go uphill through the woods. There are two visible paths – take the higher, steeper path.
Pass through a gap in the wall at the top and bear right, then ignore the track on the immediate right into the car park. Take the track at the far end of the car park and follow the path down through the woods.
A path joins from the right, and you continue left to cross a footbridge. Carry on the path through the woodland beside May Beck. Climb rough steps, go through a gate, and continue along the beck to return to the car park.
Facilities and parking
You can park at the Forestry Commission car park at May Beck. The park has space for 20+ vehicles and is free of charge. There are no toilets on the route other than for customers at Falling Foss Tea Gardens, where you can also get refreshments.
4. Goathland to Beck Hole Circular
- A 2.8-mile circular route.
- Takes approx 1 hour 30 minutes to complete.
- This circular walk also takes you to the famous North York Moors, Mallyan Spout waterfall.
This is a lovely walk, especially if you love a countryside village. Dodge the sheep also like to wander around the village and stop for tea, cake, or a drink in one of the cosy pubs.
Route overview
You can begin your walk at the car park in Goathland village. This area is quite popular among tourists as it was the setting for the long-running drama Heartbeat.
Mallyan Spout Waterfall
As you follow the main road, it veers left. Eventually, you’ll reach the village’s southern end, where the Mallyan Spout Hotel sits on the right-hand side of the road. Just before the hotel’s entrance, a path signposted to ‘Mallyan Spout’ will come into view.
Take this path, but be cautious in wet weather as it can be muddy and has steep steps. The path will lead you to West Beck. If you turn right at West Beck, you can follow the path to the magnificent Mallyan Spout waterfall. Although it requires a bit of a scramble across stones to reach the waterfall, the breathtaking view of the gentle cascade is worth it.
After enjoying the waterfall, you can backtrack alongside the beck. Instead of taking the path you initially used, continue forward on the boardwalk, which runs alongside the beck for a while. Eventually, you’ll reach a gate and walk along an elevated path with fields to your right and a steep wooded slope to your left. Upon reaching Beck Hole, you’ll descend once more.
Detour to Birch Hall Inn
As you emerge from the valley, you’ll be greeted by the charming view of Incline Cottage. Requiring a quick Yorkshire pint? You can take a detour to Birch Hall Inn, which is in Beck Hole.
If you’d like to take the short detour, turn left at Incline Cottage and follow the signs to Beck Hole. If you’re heading back from Beck Hole, turn right at Incline Cottage, and follow the path uphill. It’s a slow, steady hill that leads out onto the road. Follow the road to the right, and you’ll end up back in Goathland village where the car park located.
Facilities and parking
The parking fee at Goathland Car Park is £4.00 for the entire day. Please be aware that the car park tends to fill up quickly during peak times. Additionally, there is a toilet available at this location.
This walk conveniently passes by Goathland Tearooms, Mallyan Spout Hotel, and Birch Hall Inn in Beck Hole if you need refreshments.
5. Farndale “Daffodil Walk”
- A 3.7-mile circular route.
- Takes approx 1 – 2 hours to complete.
- A relaxing stroll along Farndale Valley between the villages of Low Mill and Church Houses.
Spring is the perfect time to explore this beautiful route. You can take a leisurely stroll through the countryside for a few hours or make the route accessible for pushchairs and wheelchairs by walking out and back along the River Dove to the Daffy Café.
Route overview
From the car park, follow the footpath leading down to the River Dove, which is signposted to High Mill. Cross the stream using the small-gated footbridge and turn left through the second gate onto the upstream path. The path is well maintained and easy to follow all the way to the Daffy Café, a lovely spot just before reaching Church Houses. As you continue along the footpath, you’ll pass through several gates while the path winds its way through picturesque Yorkshire meadows and woodland in the valley.
After walking 1.2 miles, you’ll reach a stream. Cross it and continue across a field until you reach a gate and a group of houses, where you’ll find the unique ‘Daffy Café’. If you need wheelchair or pushchair access, simply retrace the same route back to the car park at Low Mill.
Create a circular route
To create a circular route, follow the lane as it curves to the right, taking you from Daffy Café to Church Houses. After reaching Church Houses, turn right to drive around the village pub, and then make another right turn to continue along the road towards Hutton-le-Hole and Gillamoor.
Head uphill on the road for 0.5 miles, passing a church on your left and a small cottage on your right. After passing the cottage, turn right through a gate marked as a public footpath and continue along the path next to the stonewall. Climb the impressive ladder stile and head towards the farm building ahead.
After following the signs between the farm buildings, proceed along the wide track for about 656 ft. Then, turn right following the public footpath sign. Climb over the stone stile and move diagonally across the field toward another small farmyard. Follow the yellow arrows to cross over the farmhouse and then climb a stile into another field. Finally, cross in front of a country cottage.
Continue along the path through the farmland, descending toward the river. Follow the yellow arrows across the fields until you reach a farm track leading to another set of farm buildings. Keep going straight and pass the farmyard on your right. Then, follow the footpath downhill to cross a small footbridge and head towards the gated footbridge you crossed at the beginning of the hike. Finally, return to the car park via the footbridge.
Facilities and parking
There are toilet facilities here, and parking is free. Refreshments at Daffy Caffy.
We hope this article gets you outdoors enjoying the North York Moors. We could have included so many more, but these are right up there with our favourites. Let us know if you complete any of these walks and what you thought in the comments.
Related Posts