Walking friendly

The North York Moors National Park and surrounding area is one of the best places in the country to enjoy walking of all types from gentle ambles to day loops and long distance multi day routes. A growing number of businesses are signing up to our Walking Friendly initiative, making it easy for you to plan and make the most of your stay in the area. In fact you’ll probably need to stay for a week to get a good idea of what’s on offer!

A network of businesses have signed up to our Walking Friendly initiative, making it easy for you to plan and make the most of your stay in the area. They've gone the extra mile to offer specific activities, facilities, information or services to enhance your walking experience in the North York Moors National Park.

Accommodation providers

Offer facilities such as boot cleaning, kit storage and drying facilities. They'll be able to help with advice on the nearest outdoor shops and can recommend activity providers. They’ll also have maps or walking books to borrow and will be able to point you towards some great routes with Walking Friendly places to eat for that all important lunch stop.    

Food and drink

For many people, a key ingredient for an enjoyable day’s walk is a great Walking Friendly place to stop off for lunch or a light snack.  Already famed for being the Capital of Cake, the North York Moors and surrounding area has a growing number of cafés and tea rooms that offer a friendly welcome to walkers and won’t mind muddy or wet boots. They can also advise on other things to see and places to visit for the next leg of your walk.

Retail

Whether you ‘ve forgotten your boots or walking poles, need an extra layer or just want some local advice, an outdoor shop is always a good bet. You’re guaranteed to get some great local knowledge on route conditions and weather forecasts!  

Activity providers

If you’re looking to join a group or you just want to get straight to the best walking routes with some local knowledge, there are a number of activity providers who can help. If you’re booking a long distance walking holiday there are also a number of businesses who specialise in baggage transfer and support. Take a look at our Walking holidays and baggage carriers.

Walks

There’s thousands of kilometres of footpaths, bridleways and quiet moorland roads so you can enjoy some amazing scenery, visit some picturesque villages and enjoy some friendly hospitality. Find out about our walks where there’s lots of routes to suit your ability or your interests.

If long distance walks are your thing, walk all or part of the Cleveland Way, the nation’s favourite National Trail, or try the Esk Valley and Tabular Hills walks. You’ll find many of our Walking Friendly businesses will have their own personal favourites too.

Click on the map to explore the Walking Friendly network.

Funding

Our Walking friendly initiative has been developed as part of Destination Partnerships Moors and Dales, a partnership project to boost rural tourism across the four protected landscapes within North Yorkshire. Funding for this project has been secured from the Rural Development Programme for England, funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD): Europe investing in rural areas.