Goathland & Grosmont Circular

A 7.7 miles / 12.5 km loop from Goathland village, dropping into the wooded Murk Esk valley, following the old railway line to Grosmont, then climbing back over open moorland. Expect around 900 feet / 273 m of ascent and roughly 4 hours 20 minutes at a steady pace, graded easy to moderate.

• From the north end of the car park by the toilets, take Beck Hole Road and a grass path, then descend under the railway and across Eller Beck to Hill Farm.
• Cross the railway and pass through the hamlet of Beck Hole, where the signed Rail Trail begins.
• Follow the trail downhill for about 3 km beside the course of the old line, through woodland and past former railway and mining remains, to Grosmont Station.
• Leave Grosmont by the churchyard and a bridge over the Murk Esk, then climb the lane past Dale End Farm.
• Cross open moorland and the track near Greenlands Farm and the Whinstone quarry area before returning by Beck Hole Road, the approach to Goathland Station and the village.

Good paths, tracks and quiet lanes throughout, with one substantial climb. The walking to Grosmont is gentle and mostly downhill on the old railway alignment, so almost all of the effort is saved for the second half: a sustained pull out of the Esk valley from around 40 m up to roughly 230 m. The moorland return is more exposed than the sheltered valley, with little cover from wind or rain, and moorland sections can be wet underfoot. Boots are sensible.

The valley half follows George Stephenson's original 1836 railway route, with interpretation boards explaining the incline at Goathland and the former industrial sites at Beck Hole and Esk Valley. There are chances of seeing steam trains along the way, and Grosmont's station and railway works area sits at the halfway point with refreshments available there. Photogenic spots include the gravel trail gate and path, the bridge over the Murk Esk, the wooded valley itself and the wide moorland views on the climb back. Goathland's common is grazed by sheep, so open moorland and livestock are part of the character of the walk rather than an occasional surprise.

Start and finish at the large pay-and-display car park in Goathland, grid reference NZ832013, with toilets at the north end. The loop is entirely public countryside walking on paths, tracks, lanes and rights of way, and no train ride is needed to complete it.

Livestock is common here, so keep dogs under close control.

• Short lead near sheep and other livestock, and never let a dog chase animals or birds.
• Dogs are not allowed on most moorland open access land and must stay on public rights of way there.
• On moorland, use a lead shorter than 2 metres from 1 March to 31 July, and keep dogs on a lead or to heel in most moorland areas year round.

The second half is the hard part, and the moorland return lacks the shade and shelter of the valley, so it feels longer in poor weather. If you would rather skip the climb, the one-way Rail Trail from Goathland down to Grosmont is a simpler, less committing outing and pairs naturally with a heritage rail journey back, though it is a shorter walk than this loop rather than a version of it.