Goathland & Howl Moors
This lengthy North York Moors walk crosses Two Howes Rigg and circles the Goathland and Howl Moors. In addition the Wheeldale Beck valley is very pretty. For railway enthusiasts you may also see steam trains on the North York Moors Railway.
Technical sheet No. 293114
Calculated time: 5h50[?] 
Distance : 18.10 km
Vertical gain : 223 m
Vertical drop : 220 m
Highest point : 253 m
Lowest point : 147 m 
Difficulty : Moderate
Back to starting point : Yes
Walking
Area :
North York Moors
Location : Goathland
Starting point : N 54.37605° / W 0.68477° 
Today's forecast :
Description
(D)Park just up from the Eller Beck Bridge (grid ref. SE855986) and get the road section over first thing. It is probably best to wait until there is a good break in the traffic before going over the bridge - judging by the number of times the walls are rebuilt and given that there is no pavement. It is however, just a short, fast walk to get to the track at the other side that leads off down to Fen Bogs. Go right at the track fork and cross over the NYMR track and up onto the moors path that leads all the way up to Simon Howe standing stones and cairn.
(1)Take the furthest path (of two quite close together) which leads south down Simon Howe Rigg. At Wardle Green there is a bridge over the Blawath Beck before you go into the forestry area. Keep going south for a short while until you get to a crossroads at SE824962 then turn right and follow the forestry road to the next junction. Here, I chose the road to the right that goes via Gale Hill Point to Wheeldale Bridge. The advantage is that it is closer to the open country to the north; the disadvantage is you have to climb a gate at the end.
(2)Go over the road "bridge" (which would be great fun in the ice and snow) then take the path up the Wheeldale Road path on the right. There is a pile of stones that indicates the path down Skivick Crag to the Wheeldale Beck stepping stones and there are some large boulders on the descent that would make a good stopping place. Over the stepping stones take the path to the left towards Wheeldale Lodge and then Hunt House where there is a new sign indicating the bridleway on the right to Goathland.
(3)There are several paths skirting above the Hunt House Road and I chose one slightly below the rocks along the crest to your right. Similarly you can choose to cut through by The Tarn or continue around more northerly just above the road into Goathland. In Goathland pass the church then take the path on your right towards the old "incline" railway track. Part of this path is unfortunately made into a "barbed wire corridor" for no obvious reason.
(4)At the old track turn right and follow it to Moorgates where you come to the road bridge for the NYMR track. With luck or good timing you may see something passing over the bridge. From here it is a further 1km uphill back to the parking place.
Waypoints :
D/A : km 0 - alt. 193 m - Start: Eller Beck Bridge
1 : km 3.42 - alt. 253 m - Simon Howe standing stones
2 : km 9.3 - alt. 171 m - Cross over road bridge
3 : km 11.76 - alt. 169 m - Hunt House
4 : km 15.43 - alt. 153 m - Turn right along old railway track
D/A : km 18.1 - alt. 193 m - Finish: Eller Beck Bridge
Useful Information
Visorando and this author cannot be held responsible in the case of accidents or problems occuring on this walk.
During the walk or to do/see around
This walk crosses Two Howes Rigg and circles the Goathland and Howl Moors. The Wheeldale Beck valley is very pretty and if you time the walk correctly you may even be able to line up with other spotters as a NYMR train comes past at Moorgates.
Opinions and comments
Average
Global average : 4.56/5
Number of opinions : 3
Clarity of route description : 4.33/5
Clarity of route map : 4.33/5
Walk interest : 5/5
Walker
Global average : 5 / 5
Date of walk
: 03/10/22
Clarity of route description
: Very good
Clarity of route map
: Very good
Walk interest
: Very good
Very pleasant walk taking in a good area of the Moor.
Walker
Global average : 4.33 / 5
Date of walk
: 14/10/20
Clarity of route description
: Good
Clarity of route map
: Good
Walk interest
: Very good
Pleasant walk lots of different things to see, lucky to see the train go through. When it is wet it become very slippery in places. Great walk
Walker
Global average : 4.33 / 5
Date of walk
: 19/06/19
Clarity of route description
: Good
Clarity of route map
: Good
Walk interest
: Very good
This is a very nice 11 mile walk across some beautiful countryside with varied landscapes. We started the walk in Goathland as we were staying there and there are some points you should be aware of.
The entrance to Fen Bog from the Pickering to Whitby road has warning signs about adders. Take notice, they are there and on a warm day (not the day we completed this walk), we came across an adder on the pathway down to Fen Bog so watch where you are walking.
At the Howl more summit, the instructions is at best unclear and and worst incorrect. When approaching from the direction the route send you, the path you need leaving the summit is the first left and not the farthest of the 2 paths as the instruction states. We had downloaded and gpx data and were therefore able to check we were correct, but if we had followed the instructions, it would have taken you a long way off course.
The stretch back to Goathland after you cross the beck on the stepping stones, there is no sign indicating the bridal way as described in the instruction, however, you can follow the narrow road back and it will bring you out in exactly the same place.
This is a beautiful walk, it was raining hard the day we did it, an it was very wet across Howl moore, but it was still beautiful.
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