How long is the North Yorkshire Moors & Heritage Coast Loop route?

This route takes 7 days taking in 7 stops.

Where does this route start and end?

The route runs from York to York in North Yorkshire, England, England.

When is the best time to travel this route?

The best time to travel this route is May to September; book ahead in July and August.

How active is this route?

Activity level: Active. Moderately active — expect some walking and light physical activity.

What transport do I need for this route?

This route works best with a car.

What budget do I need for this route?

Mid-range spending — expect comfortable accommodation and a mix of dining options.

What type of accommodation suits this route?

Mixed accommodation works well along this route.

What is the pace of this trip?

Balanced — a good mix of sightseeing and downtime.

What type of trip is this?

This route is well-suited to: Scenic, Coastal, Culture, Nature, Classic road trip.

North Yorkshire Moors & Heritage Coast Loop

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The route · 7 stops

5 overnight bases · 1 day trip · 1 stop on the way

York

1 night

Britain's most complete medieval walled city and the perfect start for this loop. Walk the 3.4 km of city walls, explore the Shambles and allow two hours inside York Minster, the largest Gothic cathedral in northern Europe. York's strong food and drink scene makes the first night here an enjoyable arrival rather than a staging post.Britain's most complete medieval walled city and the perfect start for this loop. Walk the 3.4 km of city walls, explore the Shambles and allow two hours inside York Minster, the largest Gothic cathedral in northern Europe. York's strong food and drink scene makes the first night here an enjoyable arrival rather than a staging post.

Recommendations

On to Pickering

Pickering

1 night

Gateway to the North York Moors and southern terminus of the North Yorkshire Moors Railway, a 24-mile heritage steam line to Whitby. Buy a rover ticket and ride to Goathland, famous as Hogsmeade in Harry Potter. Pickering Castle (12th century) has intact curtain walls; the parish church holds some of England's finest medieval wall paintings.Gateway to the North York Moors and southern terminus of the North Yorkshire Moors Railway, a 24-mile heritage steam line to Whitby. Buy a rover ticket and ride to Goathland, famous as Hogsmeade in Harry Potter. Pickering Castle (12th century) has intact curtain walls; the parish church holds some of England's finest medieval wall paintings.

Recommendations

On to Whitby

Whitby

2 nights

The route's centrepiece: a working harbour town topped by the 13th-century Whitby Abbey, which inspired Bram Stoker's Dracula. Climb the 199 steps to the clifftop churchyard, explore the harbour's jet shops and fish and chips. Two nights allows a second day at Whitby Sands or a cliff walk north to Sandsend.The route's centrepiece: a working harbour town topped by the 13th-century Whitby Abbey, which inspired Bram Stoker's Dracula. Climb the 199 steps to the clifftop churchyard, explore the harbour's jet shops and fish and chips. Two nights allows a second day at Whitby Sands or a cliff walk north to Sandsend.

Recommendations

Day trip from Whitby

4
Robin Hood's Bay

On to Scarborough

Scarborough

1 night

England's oldest seaside resort, split by a headland topped by a 12th-century castle with views along the Heritage Coast. South Bay has the classic sandy beach and Victorian spa buildings; North Bay is quieter, good for rockpooling and water sports. The Rotunda Museum (1829) focuses on the Jurassic geology of this coastline.England's oldest seaside resort, split by a headland topped by a 12th-century castle with views along the Heritage Coast. South Bay has the classic sandy beach and Victorian spa buildings; North Bay is quieter, good for rockpooling and water sports. The Rotunda Museum (1829) focuses on the Jurassic geology of this coastline.

Recommendations

On to Helmsley

Helmsley

1 night

A market town in honey-coloured limestone with a 12th-century castle and the start of the Cleveland Way. Three km west, Rievaulx Abbey is a Cistercian monastery founded in 1132 that became one of England's wealthiest. The ruins stand to considerable height in a narrow wooded valley, linked by a 3 km riverside footpath.A market town in honey-coloured limestone with a 12th-century castle and the start of the Cleveland Way. Three km west, Rievaulx Abbey is a Cistercian monastery founded in 1132 that became one of England's wealthiest. The ruins stand to considerable height in a narrow wooded valley, linked by a 3 km riverside footpath.

Recommendations

On the way

York
Quick stop
The final leg south takes around 50 minutes. If time allows, stop at Sutton Bank on the A170 for a last view across the Vale of York from the moor escarpment. The White Horse of Kilburn, carved into the hillside below, is visible from the lay-by and makes a fitting farewell to the North York Moors.The final leg south takes around 50 minutes. If time allows, stop at Sutton Bank on the A170 for a last view across the Vale of York from the moor escarpment. The White Horse of Kilburn, carved into the hillside below, is visible from the lay-by and makes a fitting farewell to the North York Moors.
Recommendations

North Yorkshire Moors & Heritage Coast Loop

The route · 7 stops