The best walks and hikes in North Yorkshire

Yes, many of the best routes in North Yorkshire are circular, allowing you to start and end in the same place without retracing your steps. A great example is the Pen-y-Ghent loop from Horton in Ribblesdale, which offers a classic Dales experience with a rewarding summit.

For a relatively gentle walk that's great for families, consider the River Wharfe loop from Bolton Abbey. It follows riverside paths and offers beautiful scenery without being too strenuous. The area around the highly-regarded National Trust site at Brimham Rocks also offers lots of space for kids to explore the unique rock formations.

Dogs are welcome on most public footpaths in North Yorkshire, but you should always check for local restrictions, especially during lambing season or near ground-nesting birds. Keep them on a lead where livestock is present. The Ingleton Waterfalls Trail is a popular spot that many visitors enjoy with their dogs.

North Yorkshire is famous for its waterfalls. Beyond the popular Ingleton trail, you can discover a different set of stunning natural features on the Gordale Scar, Malham Tarn & Malham Cove loop. This route includes the dramatic waterfall within the gorge of Gordale Scar.

For a true test of endurance, the Three Peaks Challenge is North Yorkshire's iconic long-distance day hike. Covering over 25 miles (40 km) and summiting Pen-y-ghent, Whernside, and Ingleborough, it's a demanding but unforgettable experience.

The coastal path offers dramatic cliff-top scenery. A popular section runs between Robin Hood's Bay and Whitby, offering fantastic sea views. For a route that combines coast and moorland, try the Captain Cook's Monument & Roseberry Topping loop, which provides panoramic views towards the coast from the distinctive peak of Roseberry Topping.

There are over 6,000 hiking routes to discover in North Yorkshire on komoot. They range from easy riverside strolls to difficult mountain ascents, covering the diverse landscapes of the Yorkshire Dales, North York Moors, and the coastline.

The region is highly rated by the komoot community, with an average score of 4.5 stars. Hikers often praise the sheer variety of the landscape, from the limestone pavements and green valleys of the Dales to the vast heather moorlands and rugged coastline of the North York Moors.

Yes, you can get fantastic views of the iconic Ribblehead Viaduct. The Low Force, Whernside & Ribblehead Viaduct loop incorporates a section that provides a great vantage point of the viaduct set against the backdrop of the surrounding fells.

For a route that captures the essence of the Dales, including its distinctive geology, the Hull Pot and Pen-y-ghent loop is an excellent choice. It takes you to Hull Pot, one of the largest natural holes in England, and up a classic Dales peak.

Yes, several key trailheads are accessible via public transport. The Settle-Carlisle railway line, for example, has stations at Horton in Ribblesdale and Ribblehead, which are starting points for many popular Dales hikes, including ascents of Pen-y-ghent and Whernside. It's always best to check timetables in advance.

If you're looking for a challenging but more manageable long-distance day hike, the Simon's Seat and The River Wharfe loop is a great option. At over 11 miles (18 km), it combines a rewarding climb to the gritstone tors of Simon's Seat with a peaceful return along the river.