Does your New Year’s resolution include spending more time outside in nature, or staying fit and active? Luckily for you North Yorkshire is home to a huge variety of walks suitable for all skill levels so you can bring along your family, or venture the great outdoors with a friend who loves a good challenge. Breathtaking views, picturesque scenery and a reignited love for the great outdoors is what you can expect from walking through North Yorkshire’s landscapes. Here are some nice walks all throughout North Yorkshire for you to have at this winter… 

Roseberry Topping 

The iconic Roseberry Topping is a hill in the Tee Valley area that is loved by many for its distinctive half-cone summit and jagged cliff. It is made up of uneven surfaces, diverse terrain and some steep gradients and drops that you can conquer all the way to the top of the hill. However if you don’t fancy the challenge of hiking all the way to the top, there is plenty more to explore. Follow one of the other trails in the area such as the Roseberry Topping woodland wildlife walk which is a 3.3 mile trail exploring the beautiful woodlands full of wildlife that can be found nearby. 

Robin Hood’s Bay Circular Walk 

Take a trip to the coast and adventure along Robin Hood’s Bay Circular Walk. This walk along the coast is 4.5 miles long and classed as easy to moderate making it the perfect walk for you if you want to enjoy a route that isn’t too long without missing out on any of the stunning scenery. Following along this route will take you from Robin Hood’s Bay inland towards Hawkser Bottom and then you return along a coastal path. This walk is a fun and easy way to explore the beauty and intriguing history of Robin’s Hood Bay. 

Runswick Bay 

Runswick Bay was once a smugglers village and busy fishing port, but has now become a much loved location to take a stroll. Explore the highly recommended walk along the sandy beach to Kettleness and return to the Cleveland Way, which is a route that can be enjoyed either way. Along the way you can adventure in the rock pools and maybe you will find something special. For even better views you can take a 2 mile walk along the Runswick Bay cliff tops where you can take in a wider view of the stunning scenery of Runswick Bay and Port Mulgrave. After a long day of exploring you can take a seat and experience a beautiful sunset as all the remaining fishing boats make their return. 

Forge Valley Woods 

A wonderful walk to explore any time of the year is the easy, relaxing two mile walk through the magical Forge Valley Woods. For the entirety of the walk the path follows a wooden boardwalk that’s mostly level. In some areas of the boardwalk it branches off into passing places that also function as viewing platforms. Along the way you will be able to spot all types of plants and animals that make this woods the wildlife haven it is. The walk is perfect for families to enjoy together meaning everyone can get outdoors to enjoy a relaxing woodland stroll. 

Swaledale 

Famous for the most rugged breed of sheep in the Yorkshire Dales, striking scenery, waterfalls and heather moors is the beautifully wild Swaledale. This area of the Yorkshire Dales is considered by many to be one of the best areas for cycling and walking. Walks you can venture along vary from short, family friendly and accessible walks, to much longer walks in remote and lesser known areas with different terrains, beautiful views, and access to the stunning waterfalls in the area. One of their smaller walks you can bring the whole family along to is the 2.2 mile Aysgarth Falls walk that will take you to some of the most mesmerising waterfalls. Or if you fancy something a bit more challenging you can follow the 13.1 mile, difficult fell walk to Wild Boar Fell that later takes you to beautiful, secluded waterfalls. 

Sutton Bank 

Sutton Bank is a hill of natural beauty where you can get active by walking, cycling or even running whilst enjoying the dramatic views it has to offer. There are so many stunning areas of Sutton Bank you can experience during your walk. You can find the breathtaking Gormire Lake, a lake formed after the last Ice Age, which can be accessed by foot. One of the most famous natural landmarks in North Yorkshire, the White Horse, can also be viewed via an old walk loved by many through Sutton Bank which is easy to explore and allows you to soak up the amazing views along the way. 

 

Photos: Roseberry Topping @huggywanderlust, Runswick Bay, Sutton Bank @kernowiain