I’ve been fortunate enough to have spent the last several years living in York. And one of the best national parks in the country has been on my doorstep: the North York Moors National Park. Over the years, I’ve explored nearly every single corner of this area – there are so many incredible places to visit in the North York Moors. Planning a walk and wanting to get outside? Here’s my guide to the best hikes in the North York Moors.

The Best Hikes in the North York Moors

Hole of Horcum

Without a doubt, this is my favorite walk in the entire country. So of course it’s going to feature on this list! I usually start the Hole of Horcum hike from Levisham, where you can enjoy a pint at the Horseshoe Inn at the end. Alternatively, you can start from the Saltergate car park on the A169. This is one of the best places to see the heather bloom – the area turns into purple blankets everywhere you look.

Distance: 5 miles

Time: 2-2.5 hours

Read More: Hiking the Hole of Horcum in the North York Moors

Whitby to Robin Hood’s Bay

This is a linear walk, starting in Whitby (near the Abbey) and finishing in the charming fishing village of Robin Hood’s Bay. The route heads south along the coast, with incredible views out to sea. It’s relatively easy to follow, and before long you’ll find yourself in Robin Hood’s Bay – head down into the village and treat yourself to an ice cream or a pint (or both!).

Distance: 6.5 miles

Time: 3.5 hours

Read More: Walking From Whitby to Robin Hood’s Bay: One of My Favorite Walks in Yorkshire

Goathland to Grosmont

Goathland is charming village in the North York Moors, serving as the film location for the British TV show Heartbeat and the train station in the Harry Potter movies. The walk between Goathland and Grosmont follows a disused railway line, which has been transformed into a graveled walking trail. The return is through woods and fields – make sure to detour to Mallyan Spout near Beck Hole to see the pretty waterfall. If you only want to walk part of the route, take the North Yorkshire Moors Railway, a heritage steam railway, from Grosmont back to Goathland.

Distance: 8 miles

Time: 4 hours

Read More: Goathland to Grosmont: A Classic Walk in the North York Moors

Thornton-le-Dale to Ellerburn

If you’re after a relatively easy walk in the North York Moors, I recommend the loop between Thornton-le-Dale and Ellerburn. Thornton-le-Dale is a cute village, with a beautiful thatched cottage situated next to a picturesque beck. Extend the walk past Ellerburn into Dalby Forest, where you can cross the beck and pick up the public footpath on the other side of the pond. The walk follows the beck from Ellerburn back to Thornton-le-Dale.

Distance: 5-5.5 miles

Time: 2-2.5 hours

Read More: Thornton-le-Dale: Why You Need to Visit This Charming Yorkshire Village

Rosedale

Rosedale is a beautiful part of the North York Moors. This walk starts and ends in Rosedale Abbey, and passes through fields and farms before climbing the ridge for spectacular views over the valley. This area used to be a center for mining, and you can still see the ruins of the ironstone mines, kilns, and cottages on the walk. The trail actually follows the former mining railway line! You return to Rosedale Abbey via fields and a pretty beck.

Distance: 7.5 miles

Time: 3.5 hours

Read More: Hiking Around Rosedale in the North York Moors

Danby to Lealholm

This hike takes in two pretty villages in Fryupdale: Danby and Lealholm. You can visit the North York Moors National Park Center in Danby, before heading up to Danby Beacon and admiring the views all the way out to the sea (on a clear day!). Follow the track to Lealholm, where you can cross the River Esk via stepping stones. The route returns to Danby by footpaths through fields and a bit of road walking.

Distance: 8.5 miles

Time: 4 hours

Farndale Daffodil Walk

The best time to visit Farndale is in the springtime, when the valley comes alive with daffodils. Starting at Low Mill, the route follows the River Dove to the “Daffy Caffy” at High Mill. I recommend walking into Church Houses, as there are some pretty daffodils around the church there. The return is via fields and through a farm – there are wonderful views up here!

Distance: 3.5 miles

Time: 2 hours

Read More: Farndale Daffodils: An Easy Spring Walk in the North York Moors

Chop Gate to the Wainstones

The Wainstones are an impressive rock formation – they’re the largest sandstone crags in the national park. This circular route heads up over the moors, then joins the Cleveland Way National Trail to the Wainstones. There are a few steep ascents/descents on this walk – but it’s well worth it for the views. This walk also passes Urra Moor, which is the highest point in the North York Moors!

Distance: 8 miles

Time: 4.5 hours

Read More: North York Moors Hikes: Chop Gate to the Wainstones

Roseberry Topping

There are several different routes up Roseberry Topping, but the most straightforward is from the car park at Newton under Roseberry. I recommend extending the walk along Newton Moor, as there are great views of the summit (also nicknamed the Yorkshire Matterhorn by locals) from here. You can even extend it to Captain Cook’s Monument and Great Ayton, too.

Distance: 5.5 miles

Time: 2.5 hours

Read More: Hiking Roseberry Topping and Newton Moor

Helmsley to Rievaulx

This is a classic walk in the North York Moors, taking in both the charming market town of Helmsley, and the stunning ruins of Rievaulx Abbey. The route begins at the starting point for the Cleveland Way in Helmsley, and passes through fields and woodland to reach Rievaulx. There are several options for extending the walk or returning on a loop, so the distance and amount of time can vary.

Distance: 6.5-8 miles

Time: 3-4 hours

Read More: Visiting Rievaulx Abbey and Helmsley in North Yorkshire

Osmotherley and Cod Beck Reservoir

Osmotherley is a beautiful, charming little village on the edge of the moors. This walk passes through the woods outside the village (with a short detour to Lady’s Chapel) before the views open up around Scarth Wood Moor. It then heads along pretty Cod Beck Reservoir before returning to Osmotherley. You can extend this walk and visit Mount Grace Priory, one of the best abbeys in Yorkshire, on the way.

Distance: 6 miles

Time: 2.5-3 hours

Hawnby and Easterside Hills

Starting from the quiet hamlet of Hawnby, this hike takes in two of the best hills in the area: Hawnby Hill and Easterside Hill. After climbing to the top of Hawnby Hill and admiring the views, the route heads down into the valley, and around the far base of Easterside Hill. Easterside Hill doesn’t have a public footpath, but it is open access land and there is a path (through thick heather) to the summit. I was lucky enough to witness a spectacular cloud inversion when I was here on a wintry day!

Distance: 6.5 miles

Time: 3.5 hours

Sutton Bank and the Kilburn White Horse

If you’re after a short hike in the North York Moors, head to Sutton Bank. The walk along the clifftop boasts incredible views, and loops back through the woodland to see the White Horse of Kilburn. This hill figure is best seen from the village of Kilburn itself (although it’s visible from much further away, too), but it’s impressive to see it up close. I recommend parking at the White Horse car park (no charge) then walking up along the ridge to Sutton Bank – there’s a visitor center here – and back along the cliffs and through the woods.

Distance: 3 miles

Time: 1.5 hours

Planning Your Trip

I’ve done all of these walks as daytrips from where I live in York. It’s easiet to do these walks with a car, but some can be done using public transportation. I always book my train tickets in advance on Trainline. If you’re flying, Leeds Bradford Airport is probably closest, although Manchester and Newcastle are also decent options. I use Skyscanner to book flights. Considering travel insurance for your trip? World Nomads offers coverage for more than 150 adventure activities as well as emergency medical, lost luggage, trip cancellation and more.

Planning on staying overnight in York? I’d recommend the following places:

• Budget: Safestay York or The Fort Boutique Hostel
• Mid-range: Hotel Indigo or Galtres Lodge
• Luxury: The Grand

You can book hostels in York here, and check out hotels in York here. Otherwise, search for places to stay in the area below!

Booking.com

Looking for a guided trip to the North York Moors? Check out these options!

The North York Moors is one of my favorite parts of Yorkshire. It really does have everything: scenic vistas, barren moors, impressive hills, peaceful valleys, and coastal views. There are so many great hikes in the North York Moors, but these are some of the best. I hope this blog post helps planning your hikes around the North York Moors!

Have you been hiking in the North York Moors? What are your favorite hikes?

You might also like my posts:

21 of the BEST Places to Visit in the North York Moors

The Best Car-Free Walks from York

The Best Walks In and Around York, England

The Ultimate Yorkshire Guide: 88 Incredible Places to Visit in Yorkshire

The BEST Places to Visit in the Yorkshire Dales

The Best Abbeys in Yorkshire

All of my Yorkshire posts!

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