The Circular Goathland to Grosmont Walk in the North Yorkshire Moors
The circular Goathland to Grosmont walk is one of the best-disused railways walks in the North Yorkshire Moors National Park. Part of the route is on the Rail Trail, which follows the old track of the Whitby and Pickering Railway line and you also get to see the magnificent stations and a waterfall on this route.
The North Yorkshire Moors became a National Park in 1952 and is not owned by the nation but by the locals from the area. Today, the Goathland to Grosmont walk is a fabulous day out because you can walk amongst the stories of the old railway and enjoy its unique and well-preserved railway lines. Goathland is also the setting for the old TV show Heartbeat, which attracts many people to the area.
As this walk includes Goathland and Grosmont’s spectacular stations, it is one of the best walks in North Yorkshire. It is also where you will see the exceptional North Yorkshire Moors Railway train that runs from Pickering to Whitby and carries more than 350,000 visitors each year.
Many people come to the Harry Potter-like stations to take some pictures or to take a ride on the magnificent steam train (we have done both). It is one of the best walks in Yorkshire.
Time: 3 hours 30-minutes – 5 hours
Distance: 12.4 km
Elevation: 282m
Difficulty: moderate
Goathland to Grosmont Walk Parking
There is a car park in Goathland (NZ 933013) that can be found turning west off the A169. The car park is £3.50 for cars and £2.00 for motorcycles (all day), and you can use a card and cash to pay.
There is also free parking on the road near the mini-roundabout close to the hotel. However, as the parking costs are not expensive and go towards the national park’s upkeep, we recommend paying!
If you are not driving, you can catch the bus from York or Leeds or the number 840 service to Whitby.
Best time to go on the Goathland to Grosmont Walk
The Goathland to Grosmont walk is a popular year-round walk. It is busy in school holidays and weekends (especially near Mallyan Spout Waterfall). However, certain times in the year make it exceptionally special; these include the bluebell season in May ( see them in the Esk Valley), the new Scarecrow Festival in Goathland in July, and when the Steam Train is running.
The steam train runs usually in spring and summer, and timing your trip with it in action would be spectacular because, much like seeing the Jacobite Steam Train on our West Scotland road trip, this was a magical experience. Check the NYMR website to book tickets and to check for any special events.
Top Tips for the Goathland to Grosmont walk
- The walk is dog friendly, and we saw MANY dogs on route. There are some large boulders near the waterfall, though, that some dogs may struggle with, and remember to clean up after your dog and keep them on a lead when passing livestock.
- The rail-trail is not to be used by cyclists or horse riders.
- There are free toilet facilities in Goathland and Grosmont both at the car park and the train station.
- There are plenty of places to eat and drink in both villages. However, it is always a good idea to take water and snacks with you on the way.
- Wear suitable shoes, as it can be muddy if it has been wet and near the waterfall, the rocks can be slippery.
- A popular thing to do is catch the NYMR steam train to either Grosmont or Goathland and walk 3.5 miles back along the rail trail. You still get to see the spectacular scenery and enjoy a trip on the train.
- You can walk in either direction. However, we prefer the Goathland to Grosmont walk, and it is more popular to do it in this direction.
- The Ordnance Survey Map is OL27 North York Moors – Eastern Area. You can download the app on your phone or purchase a paper copy.
Goathland to Grosmont Walk Directions – 3 Stage Circular Route
Stage 1 – to Mallyan Spout Waterfall
Begin the Goathland to Grosmnont walk at the car park in Goathland and turn right and walk through the village, along the path next to the road until you get to the Mallyan Spout Hotel directly opposite St Mary’s Church Goathland. Goathland village is the old TV series Heartbeat, and the old shops and Tea Room are worth a look. There used to be an old Police car, but we did not see it on this occasion.
There is a lovely little coffee shop called The Coach House, which serves food (sandwiches, soup and cake), milkshakes and coffees if you want to stop for something at the start. You can use the toilets in the Hotel here.
Follow the footpath going through the metal kissing gate to the Hotel’s right, where you will see a signpost to Mallyan Spout. Follow the straightforward path down several series of steps to the Murk Esk River. Here you will see a three-way signpost. Turn left towards Mallyan Spout (130m), where you should follow the path next to the river towards the waterfall. The terrain turns into large boulders, and some are wet and slippy, so watch your steps. This area also can be bustling, with many people calling it a traffic jam!
You will see the waterfall on your left before you reach the bridge. If it has been dry, you will not see it in all its glory, but after some wet weather, it is beautiful. After you’ve enjoyed the waterfall, turn back on the path you came towards the three-way signpost again. However, you will now take the right direction towards Beck Hole 3/4 mile, going across a wooden boardwalk through the woods. Go through a wooden kissing gate and continue along the path up some steps.
Stage 2 – to Grosmont Station
For the second stage of the Goathland to Grosmont walk, go over a small wooden bridge, up some stone steps and follow the gravelly path. The path is obvious, so you do not need to worry about getting lost! So, follow the track through several gates, with yellow arrows with the North York Moors National Park Footpath. It’s good to know that there is a slight uphill and downhill on this path.
Follow the stony steps down towards the river and go through a couple of gates in the stone house ‘Incline Cottage’ direction. There is another three-way signpost next to the cottage, where you should go left, in the direction of Grosmont. You can detour Beck Hole to a unique pub or continue on the Rail Trail to Grosmont when you see the four-way signpost.
Good to know: check the pub’s opening times because when we visited it, it was not open.
From the four-way signpost, turn right where you will cross over the river on a small wooden bridge and see an informative sign about the old railway line.
Before you cross the Twin Arch Bridge, you can turn right down some steps and cross over a wooden boardwalk.
Turn left and follow the Grosmont Rail trail, where you will have a fantastic view of the bridge and river. Alternatively, you can continue down the main path to Esk Valley. However, we prefer the woodland walk, even if it’s a slight detour, and the trail re-joins the main one after the wooden bridge.
You may be able to spot the steam train as you follow the path as it becomes more open. When you arrive at Esk Valley, you will see a row of pastel-coloured cottages.
From here, keep straight along the rail trail to Grosmont. You will see numerous old trains that are awaiting renovation. There is a private gate to the North Yorkshire Moors Railway. Instead, you can turn left and head right through a kissing gate. Then go along the path up the hill on the stony path.
You will see a bench directly in front of you with fabulous views over Grosmont and the station through the gate. To reach the village:
- Turn right and go downhill, still following the rail trail Grosmont sign towards the village.
- Take a left downhill with the church on your left and the railway on your right.
- Cross the suspension bridge over the river, and you will reach the iconic railway station.
At the station, there are toilets, and a tea room, which means it is the perfect spot to relax and have a cuppa Yorkshire tea! It’s worth exploring the station and appreciating the excellent care and pride the volunteers take in its upkeep. It’s fantastic to see and something that should be on a UK bucket list.
Stage 3 – Return to Goathland
The final stage of the Goathland to Grosmont walk is the return trip. From Grosmont station, take a right and walk uphill through the village, passing by the Station Tavern, where you can have a beer if you desire! Keep going uphill until you reach a Public Footpath sign on your right for Doctors Wood opposite Parkville house with red bricks. Follow the trail down through the woodland, where you can smell wild garlic.
Go over the footbridge and take a left onto a tarmac track. Follow the path uphill through a gate until you reach a green public footpath sign on your right. Follow the cobbled stones towards a gate, where you will follow a track through the trees. If you’re in the right season, you may see a carpet of bluebells in this wood! There are also some other cobblestones, but they disappear and reappear again.
Good to know: The path through the woods can be pretty muddy here, and there are some tree routes that you could easily trip over!
Cross a footbridge and go over a stile where you will walk through an open field. You will see a stile directly opposite you in the right-hand corner, where you go over two stiles and then continue straight along the track. You will go over a stile under some trees and then immediately on your left, and there will be another stile to cross.
Keep heading down the path, it will go slightly uphill, and then you should bear left through a gate where you will reach Green End Farm. Turn left at the green public bridleway sign and continue through the farmyard and a series of gates into farmland before reaching a tarmac path in front of the old spoil heaps.
Take a right and continue down the tarmac road past Allantoft Cottage. You will soon see another green Public Bridleway sign, where you should follow the path around the hill where you will quickly have a stone wall on your right.
Continue until just before you get to Hill Farm, where you can see the brown lodges and static caravans. Turn left at the signpost following the apparent path going past Lins Farm when you see the railway line and the bench on the right. Take another left, where you will hear the Thomason Foss waterfall below you. And you will be able to see them faintly if you peer through the trees.
The path curves around the river towards a single lane wooden footbridge under the railway bridge. Follow the path and climb the steps. There is a bench near the start if you want a rest! You will get to a stile where you should follow the yellow arrow and turn left through the field, following the barbed wire gate to your left.
Go over a stile and continue down the path with the bushes on your right toward the tarmac road. Turn left, and when you reach the crossroads, go straight over and follow the signs to Goathland 1-2 mile. You will walk through the village and arrive back at the car park!
If you’re lucky enough, you will see the village when the annual Scarecrow Festival is in full swing! The circular walk is complete. Remember to make your way down to Goathland Station too, and if you can time it with a steam train passing, it will be even better!
Final Thoughts on the Grosmont to Goathland Walk
Yorkshire is such a beautiful county, from the Yorkshire Dales to the North Yorkshire Moors, and it is an excellent place for walking. We can honestly say that this walk has it all, the views, the facilities, the history and the fantastic steam train. Therefore, the Grosmont to Goathland walk is one of the best and one that should be on your walking UK bucket list.
If you are spending more time in North Yorkshire, then why not read our guides to:
The best things to do in Knaresborough
The best things to do in Helmsley
We only recommend things that we have personally tried and love using on our travels and hikes.
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