Getting around

Getting around the North York Moors has never been easier and there are gentler ways of getting to know this area than using a car.

The green modes of transport include walking, cycling and horse riding (not to mention hang gliding!). Travelling at these speeds will let you see, hear and smell the countryside in a way which you’ll never do from a car.

There’s also a good network of bus and rail services, including the steam-hauled North Yorkshire Moors Railway and the Esk Valley line. For more information visit the North Yorkshire Moors Railway website and the Esk Valley Line website. 

Travelling by bus is also easy, especially with the Moorsbus network of recreational services.

And if you still choose to drive...

We’ve got an old road network in the North York Moors: prehistoric trackways, roman roads and medieval packhorse routes. Trying to squeeze twenty-first century traffic onto this network is not easy.

Bends are acute, hills can be as steep as 1 in 3, bridges may be narrow.

Our roads are shared by all sorts of users – tractors, timber lorries, motorbikes, cyclists and equestrians. Very few roads have separate footways, so walkers are often on the road as well. And around every bend you may find animals – including sheep, cattle, deer and large birds.

On many moorland roads travelling at no more than 40 mph may reduce the risk and severity of accidents, and will also save you fuel. Everywhere, stay below the speed limit (including advisory limits).

So, please take extra care on all roads in the National Park – whether they be roads over the open moorland, narrow lanes, or roads in towns and villages.

Expect the unexpected.

And try and give your car a rest as well – even a few less miles can improve things.