Guisborough and the surrounding area has more than its fair share of hikes, trails and hill walks.From open moorland, coastal clifftops to woodland tranquillity, there is a variety of landscapes and scenery to choose from for your walking adventures.
Whether you are a complete beginner or an experienced hiker, are looking to explore with family or a dog, young or mature, single, couples or groups there are walks for everyone.
Here is a brief overview of just some of the fantastic walkways that you can enjoy on your visit – all within easy driving distance of the park
Sutton Bank & the White Horse
*Easy going (1.7miles)
See the gliders soaring above the North Yorkshire Moors at the start of the route on Sutton Bank. Take the path along the scarp edge all the way to one of the most famous landmarks in England the White Horse. The Horse is huge at 96 metres long and 70 metres high and dates back to 1857 when under the direction of John Hodgson 31 local men cleared scrub and cut turf to expose the underlying rock. Today the Horse is regularly ‘groomed’ by the Kilburn White Horse Association.
May Beck and Falling Foss
*Short walk (2 miles)
If ever there was a magical woodland walk then this is it. Take the trail through the trees on a 2 mile circular route that passes an idyllic woodland tea garden and the 30ft Falling Foss waterfall, before returning alongside babbling May Beck. It’s a lovely shady walk for the summer with shallow waters to paddle in, and a bridge to play pooh sticks from, and spectacular in the Autumn when the colours are at their best.
Lord Stones Walk
*Intermediate (2 ¾ miles)
It might only be a little under 3 miles, but this is a real adventure walk for all the family, with some awe inspiring views into the bargain. There’s a striking panorama of Middlesbrough, the Cleveland plain, Roseberry Topping and Cooke’s Monument, and you’ll get amazing views both on the outward leg and then – after a stiff, stepped climb – on the return section that follows the Cleveland Way National Trail across Cringle Moor. The start of the trail is in the privately owned Lord Stones Country Park, where there’s access to the ancient stone that gives the walk its name.
Staithes and Port Mulgrave
*Intermediate Coastal (4 miles)
Enjoy some sea air on this circular walk, starting at the atmospheric old fishing village of Staithes, with its harbourside cottages, cobbled streets and winding alleys. Leave the sheltered harbour and follow the Cleveland Way National Trail for the first half of the walk, tramping across the high cliffs to Port Mulgrave and enjoy some wonderful coastal views. The return is across fields and through woodland, via the small hamlet of Dalehouse.
Hutton le Hole and Lastingham
*Intermediate family walk (4 ½ miles)
Enjoy quiet fields, country lanes and moorland tracks on a charming 4 ½ mile circular walk connecting the two moorland villages of Hutton le Hole and Lastingham. You return along the Spaunton escarpment for some lovely sweeping views. This walk can easily become a full day out since each village also has an inspiring attraction – namely the fascinating open air Ryedale Folk Museum in Hutton and Lastingham’s St Mary’s Church, with its atmospheric eleventh century crypt.
Castleton to Lealholm
*For the nature nuts and history buffs (7 ½ miles)
The moorland villages of Castleton and Danby set the scene on this 7 ½ mile linear walk that wends its way from the higher moors down to the gentler reaches of the Esk Valley around Lealholm. The route passes the Moors National Park Centre just outside Danby, who’s hands on activities, art gallery, play areas, woodland bird hide, grounds and café are a tempting stop. Pushing on, you climb up the daleside for fabulous views from Danby Beacon, before descending off the moors to pretty, riverside Lealholm. To do the walk by public transport, take the Esk Valley Railway up to Castleton and then walk back down to Lealholm, following the signs for ‘Esk Valley Walk’.
Danby Dale, Blakey and Westerdale
*More than a stroll (16 ½ miles)
You have to be up for a challenge to tackle this walk, a 16 ½ mile circuit of the Western dales and high moors that takes in the source of the River Esk, starting and finishing in Castleton. You’ll need a long, clear day, so it’s a walk for late Spring/Summer, and the rewards are considerable, not least the sweeping dale views and iconic Heather covered moorland landscape. The entire route constitutes the first (circular) section of the 37 mile Esk Valley Walk; console yourself that the other three linear sections, between Castleton and Whitby, are far shorter and less onerous.
The Cleveland Way
*Challenging (109 miles)
Anyone who is reasonably fit can walk the Cleveland Way. The route is challenging in places, especially on the Cleveland Hills and some of the coastal sections, but this adds to the overall experience. While the route is well signposted throughout, an up-to-date map or GPS mapping is essential. You can walk the Cleveland Way at any time of year but if you want to see the moorland Heather in bloom the best time to visit is late August and early September. Most people walk the route clockwise starting in Helmsley and finishing in Filey, but there is no right or wrong way. There are many tourism spots to discover along the route, and you are closest to the park on the Slapewath to Skelton Green leg.