Seven family friendly walks in the North York Moors

Getting out for a walk is a great way to bring the family together. You can talk, get some exercise, discover new places and see some beautiful scenery along the way. Take a look at some of our favourite family-friendly walks in the North York Moors.

1. Hutton-le-Hole

Hutton-le-Hole is one of the prettiest villages in North Yorkshire as well as being home to the Ryedale Folk Museum. Adults and children alike will enjoy a scenic walk around the village and there is a great circular walk to the nearby village of Lastingham.

We recommend: Visiting the Ryedale Folk Museum in Hutton-le-Hole.

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2. Dalby Forest

There’s a wide choice of routes to try in Dalby Forest with lots of family-friendly walks available. The Ellerburn Red Trail and Waitcliff Trail are amongst the easy trails and there are lots of opportunities for picnics and nature spotting.

We recommend: Try the Gruffalo Orienteering trail which is great for children under eight.

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3. Falling Foss

Everyone in the family will love a visit to the magical Falling Foss! The two-mile circular woodland walk through the well-loved tea garden includes places to paddle and a fabulous waterfall.

We recommend: Playing Poohsticks from the bridge before getting refreshments at the Falling Foss Tea Garden.

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4. Roseberry Topping

Roseberry Topping may be a hill but kids will feel like they have climbed a mountain as they reach the summit. It’s a walk that children will remember as they get older – not least for the stunning views of the North York Moors.

We recommend: Enjoying a picnic in the bluebell woods beneath Roseberry Topping.

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5. Helmsley

There’s plenty to see and do around Helmsley with Helmsley Castle, Helmsley Walled Garden and the National Centre for Birds of Prey amongst the family favourites. You can do a circular discovery trail around Helmsley or take a walk up to Ash Dale Woods. It’s also well worth walking from Helmsley to Rievaulx Terrace which is actually the start of the Cleveland Way.

We recommend: Treating yourself to a cake at one of Helmsley’s many tea rooms!

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6. Kilburn White Horse

The Kilburn White Horse has to be one of the most famous sites in the North York Moors. It’s actually much bigger than you think (314 feet wide and 228 ft high) and was originally marked out in 1857 by the Kilburn village schoolmaster and his pupils. You can follow a 3-mile circular walk from nearby Sutton Bank National Park Centre which will take you around two hours.

We recommend: Calling in at the Adventure Play Area at Sutton Bank National Park Centre.

7. Pickering

You can take the very scenic circular walk from the market town Pickering to nearby Newbridge Woods which includes Pickering Castle and the chance to spot an NYMR steam train. Newbridge Woods includes a number of walking trails and a family picnic area so there's lots for families to explore.

We recommend: Spending some time exploring the 13th-century Pickering Castle.

Have a peek at our portfolio of Holiday Cottages in Pickering.