North Yorkshire Walks
Walking Routes & Hiking Trails

Find North Yorkshire walks from the list below which features the best walking routes in the area. Most of routes are circular walks although there are a few linear hikes. The walks are listed from the shortest and easiest to the longest more challenging routes. The walks are divided into sub areas so you can find specific walks.

Lower Wharfedale, Cracoe, Burnsall & Bolton Abbey Walks

Yorkshire Dales National Park

Walking Highlights. Personal favourites include the Valley of Desolation and Simon's Seat, Barden Fell, the Rylestone Edges above Cracoe and Trollers Gill. An easy walk full of interest is Barden Bridge and the Strid from Bolton Abbey.

Where to stay - Skipton, Burnsall, Ilkley and Addingham are convenient for walking in this area.

Upper Wharfedale, Grassington, Kettlewell & Buckden Walks

Yorkshire Dales National Park

Walking Highlights. This is a fine area for walking with varied terrain. Personal favourites include an ascent of Buckden Pike, following the Dales Way between Kettlewell and Yockenthwaite, Conistone Dib and Capplestone Gate plus the hike from Kettlewelll into Littondale and Arncliffe.

Where to stay - Grassington, Kettlewell, Starbotton, Buckden and Hubberholme are convenient for walking in this area.

Malhamdale & Malham Cove Walks

Yorkshire Dales National Park

Walking Highlights. Some of my favourite Yorkshire Dales walks are in the area around Malham. Personal highlights include the easy walk to Malham Cove, any walks including Gordale Scar and the 'five-star' walk from Malham Tarn to Malham Cove returning via the Watlowes dry valley.

Where to stay - Malham is the prefered centre for walking in this area. However Settle and Gargrave are convenient alternatives.

Lower Ribblesdale, Settle & Langcliffe Walks

Yorkshire Dales National Park

Walking Highlights. Lower Ribblesdale offers a variety of easier walks amidst the limestone scenery so typical of this part of the Yorkshire Dales. Favourite walks include Attermire Scar and Catrigg Force, the Norber Erratics and Sulber Gate, and Giggleswick Scar.

Where to stay - Settle, Clapham, Austwick, Stainforth and Langcliffe are convenient for walking in this area.

Upper Ribblesdale & Three Peaks Walks

Yorkshire Dales National Park

Walking Highlights. The 'Big Three' peaks of Whernside, Ingleborough and Pen-y-ghent are the focus of walking in this area. Yorkshire Dales walks to these summits do not involve any technical difficulties hence their popularity. Personal favourites also include the Norber Erratics, the Ingleton Waterfalls Walk and walks starting from Dentdale.

Where to stay - Settle, Horton-in-Ribblesdale, Clapham and Ingleton all provide an ideal base for walking in this area.

Wensleydale Walks

Yorkshire Dales National Park

Walking Highlights. Wensleydale is the only dale not named after its river. The dale is wide with the River Ure following a gentle course through green pastures. Semer Water located on the side of the dale is my favourite place to walk as are routes through the valley. Aysgarth Falls especially after heavy rain are well worth including in a walk.

Where to stay - Hawes, Askrigg, Bainbridge, Aysgarth, Carperby and West Burton all provide an ideal base for walking in this area.

Swaledale Walks

Yorkshire Dales National Park

Walking Highlights. Swaledale is my favourite dale and is characterised by its iconic field barns and stone walls. The area around Gunnerside is rich in industrial heritage. Favourite Yorkshire Dales walks include Gunnerside and Swinner Gills where you can explore the ruins of the lead mining industry. Just outside the National Park lies Nine Standards Rigg with its prominent cairns offering a wonderful view into the Eden Valley.

Where to stay - Thwaite, Muker, Keld, Gunnerside and Reeth all convenient for walking in this area.

North York Moors West Walks

North York Moors National Park

Walking Highlights. The western part of the North York Moors National Park contains some excellent walking. Predominantly moorland, the area is dissected by many valleys or dales. Generally the area is sparsely populated with few facilities in the hamlets and villages. Excellent North York Moors walks include those to Roseberry Topping, Captain Cook's Monument and Highcliff Nab. The Clevland Way crosses this area and provides a useful route for shorter circular walks. Other highlights include walks that include Rievaulx Abbey and routes in Rosedale.

Where to stay - Pickering, Thirsk, Helmsley, Great Ayton and Hutton-le-hole all provide convenient access for walking in this area.

North York Moors East & Coast Walks

North York Moors National Park

Walking Highlights. The eastern part of the North York Moors National Park contains some excellent walking. Predominantly moorland with a rugged coastline, this part of the National Park features many dales that dissect the higher moors. Excellent North York Moors walks include coastal walking following the Cleveland Way especially around Robin Hood's Bay, the Hole of Horcum, and walks from Goathland. The Clevland Way follows the coast in this area and provides a useful basis for shorter circular walks.

Where to stay - Robin Hood's Bay, Whitby, Goathland and Pickering are convenient bases for walking in this area.

South Pennines Walks

The South Pennines stretch from the northern boundary of the Peak District to the southern boundary of the Yorkshire Dales. Consisting of high rolling moorland, intersected by deep valleys, there is nowhere in this region that exceeds 2000 feet. The moors and valleys are where the old rivals, Lancashire and Yorkshire meet and where too the rival industries of cotton and wool.

Yorkshire Wolds Walks

A lovely area for walking with a rolling chalk plateau cut into by deep, steep sided dry valleys. The walking is generally easy with a number of attractive villages to explore.

Howardian Hills Walks

Nidderdale AONB Walks

Vale of York Walks

Vale of Pickering Walks

Skipton Walks

Walks that start in adjacent counties / areas.

Walks that start in adjacent counties or areas but cross the boundary and include sections of the route within North Yorkshire.

★ GPS file ☩ Route profile