Newtondale Halt to Goathland Station Walk

A point-to-point walk of 6.7 miles (10.6 km) one way, from Newton Dale Halt railway station up onto the open moor and down into Goathland. That distance covers the walk in one direction only, with no return leg, so plan your travel back before you start. Allow roughly 3 to 4 hours, with about 1,083 ft of cumulative ascent. The listing grades it moderate.

• Newtondale start: an isolated request stop deep in the dale, quiet and secluded, with the railway as the only real sign of activity.
• The climb: access paths and the public footpath and bridleway network lead you out of the dale and onto open heather moorland.
• Simon Howe Rigg: the high middle section and the payoff, with sweeping views across the surrounding moors.
• The descent: public paths, then short stretches of road and village walking down to Goathland and its preserved station.

Expect a mix of rough paths, bridleways, tracks and short road sections, with rugged or soft ground in places and several climbs and descents. Sturdy walking boots are sensible. The moorland section is exposed, and navigation is considerably harder in mist or low cloud, so carry a map and compass and know how to use them.

There is no vehicle access to the start. Newton Dale Halt is reached by the North Yorkshire Moors Railway, on foot, or by bike, and there are no facilities there at all. The most practical plan is to leave a car at the Goathland Car Park, travel by rail up the line to Newton Dale Halt, then walk back to finish at Goathland Station. Check the railway's own timetable and request stop arrangements in advance, since sorting the train or a lift is the single biggest piece of planning this walk demands. The finish at Goathland Station has toilets, and the village has services.

Dogs are welcome on the public rights of way here, under the usual moorland rules:

• Stay on rights of way when crossing moorland.
• Keep dogs under close control at all times.
• Use a lead shorter than 2 metres from 1 March to 31 July to protect ground-nesting birds.
• Keep dogs close when passing livestock, cyclists and horse riders.

The scenery earns the effort, but this is a walk with logistics attached. If you would rather not build a trip around a train, a circular route in the same area will suit you better. If you do commit to the one-way line, you get a remote start, a genuinely open moorland crossing and a satisfying finish at a working heritage station.