Forest Holidays

Walks and trails at Keldy & Cropton, North Yorkshire

Yorkshire forest walks for all abilities in Cropton and Keldy, North Yorkshire

Drop into the Forest Retreat/Hub to find out about the Yorkshire trails on offer, with some self-led trails themed and ideal for family walks. Or try the Rosedale trail, a 4.8km loop with views of Rosedale, Hartoft Valley and the distant moors. A longer 16km loop offers more great views and a variety of landscapes. For a more challenging walk, the Newtondale trail is a 22.5km hike, with a rewarding vista over the dales.

Woodland rambles and hikes at Dalby Forest

Arguably the most popular Yorkshire forest, Dalby Forest is a paradise for walkers. For walks in Dalby Forest, take the moderate Bridestones Trail and enjoy looking at the natural sandstone sculptures; meet the wildlife on the more demanding Deepdale Habitat Trail and savour the sweeping views over the Moors on the 7.5km Woodcock Way. The Visitor Centre at Dalby Forest is a great place to start and here you can pick up details of the many walks, as well as enjoying some refreshments. Buy your copy of the Dalby Forest walking map from the visitor centre and explore the trails at your own pace.

Miles of scenic views on the Cleveland Way

Bask in some of Yorkshire’s most beautiful scenery on the stunning Cleveland Way walking route. Stretching over 175km from the delightful market town of Helmsley to the Victorian seaside destination, Saltburn-by-the-Sea, the dramatic landscapes of both moorland and coastline are guaranteed to take your breath away. Only half an hour from our cabins at Keldy and Cropton, and a favourite of our resident Forest Ranger, be sure not to forget your camera!

Walks around Helmsley

For walks in Helmsley a popular option is Helmsley to Rievaulx Abbey, offering glorious views of Helmsley Forest and the Yorkshire landscape. With so many walks near Helmsley to choose from, this 11.3km walk climbs gently from Helmsley, taking in beautiful views of the town and castle. It continues into the woods, which have a carpet of bluebells in the spring, to the beautiful abbey ruins at Rievaulx. Heading back, the views of the abbey from Rievaulx Terrace are breath-taking. 

  • Roseberry Topping & Cook's Monument

    Take a scenic drive through the North York Moors to Roseberry Topping, known locally as the ‘Yorkshire Matterhorn’ to begin this 11.3km circular walk, which involves a strenuous climb. Look south from the summit and you see the natural beauty of heather-clad moors; look north and the industrial landscape of Middlesbrough and Redcar offer a sharp contrast. This 11.3km circular walk also takes in Cook’s Monument, another of Yorkshire’s iconic landmarks.

  • North York Moors National Park

    For a pleasant day out, take the 6.4km circular walk connecting the moorland villages of Hutton le Hole and Lastingham, and visit the open-air Ryedale Folk Museum at Hutton. Or try the 9.7km circular route through Newtondale, where you might catch the whistle and steam of a train on the North York Moors Railway. For a riverside ramble, Thornton-le-dale to Ellerburn is hard to beat, or take the 3.2km walk in the heart of Little Beck wood to discover the enchanting Falling Foss waterfall. For a more challenging hike, take the Wainstones 12.9km route end enjoy views of the whole of the moors spread out before you.

  • Hiking by the coast

    The famous Cinder Track, along the route of the old Whitby to Scarborough railway line is a glorious 33.8km hike. For a shorter day trip, take the 11.3km section from Whitby to Ravenscar, where you will encounter smugglers coves, sea views and natural beauty. An 17.7km moorland-to-coast walk is Ravenscar to Robin Hood's Bay – take a break at Boggle Hole for some rock-pooling. The 6.4km circular Howdale Moor and Brow Moor is another, shorter, coast and moorland walk, and you may spot birds of prey over Flyingdale Moor.

;