Walks
Esk Valley to Grosmont
By Jon Cosson · Updated 2 November 2026 · Checked
The walk for a day when you would rather not walk back. Follow the river inland from the coast to Grosmont and come back by train, or do it the other way round and walk with the water. The published Grosmont-to-Whitby route is 12.9 km, with 191 m of ascent and 238 m of descent. Level bridleways alternate with steep sections and steps.
The walk at a glance
- Distance
- 8 miles / 12.9 km, linearThe National Park's 8-mile Grosmont to Whitby section of the Esk Valley Walk, not the Goathland to Grosmont Rail Trail; the published section guide rounds this to 13 km
- Ascent
- Outdooractive gives about 191 m of climb and 238 m of descent walking Grosmont to Whitby. Walked the other way, inland from Whitby, those figures swap round
- Time
- About 3 hours 20 minutes one way, per Outdooractive
- Difficulty
- Level bridleways alternate with steep sections and steps; 191 m ascent and 238 m descent Grosmont to Whitby
- Start & parking
- Grosmont National Park car park, Front Street (the NYMR station car park is pay and display); Whitby, or Grosmont if you walk it in reverse; £3.90 up to 2 hours, £6.20 over 2 hours, coach £7.50; nearest postcode YO22 5QE
- Dogs
- Level bridleways alternate with steep sections and steps; 191 m ascent and 238 m descent Grosmont to Whitby. Dogs cost £3 per day on standard North Yorkshire Moors Railway services, according to its fares information.
- Toilets
- On the corner of Front Street and Waterloo, accessible with a RADAR key
- Public transport
- No bus stated. Esk Valley Railway from Middlesbrough or Whitby, and the North Yorkshire Moors Railway; walk one way and come back by train. Check times before you travel.
Opens the walk finder with this walk’s length and effort already set.
About this route
Route guidance from the published sources below, with mapping where available. Information last checked: 6 October 2026. Unconfirmed details and separately dated variants remain explicit. If you find a change, use the contact page.
- October 2026: National Park published route on Outdooractive, Esk Valley Walk Grosmont to Whitby
- GPS Routes
- Outdooractive
- North Yorkshire Moors Railway
- https://www.northyorkmoors.org.uk/places-to-go/grosmont
- https://www.northyorkmoors.org.uk/plan-your-visit/car-parks-and-toilets/car-park-list
Distance notes: The National Park's 8-mile Grosmont to Whitby section of the Esk Valley Walk, not the Goathland to Grosmont Rail Trail; the published section guide rounds this to 13 km.
Ascent: Outdooractive gives about 191 m of climb and 238 m of descent walking Grosmont to Whitby. Walked the other way, inland from Whitby, those figures swap round.
Area map
Whitby area; the walk also works in reverse from Grosmont. This map shows the area, not a verified route line.
The National Park lists this Grosmont to Whitby section as 8 miles, rounded to 13 km in its section guide. It is not the 3.5-mile Goathland to Grosmont Rail Trail. National Park Esk Valley Walk sections, checked 17 October 2026.
The route in outline
The National Park route starts at Grosmont station, crosses the bridge and follows Sleights Lane. It continues through farmland and woodland towards Newbiggin Hall and Sleights, then uses Lowdale Lane past the cricket pitch. Echo Hill and Hagg House lead towards Ruswarp. The final section uses steps and the Cinder Track into Whitby harbour. Reverse directions need care at junctions; use the published map. Carry the OS sheet and check the train times before you commit to a one-way day.
The train half
Grosmont is the working heart of the North Yorkshire Moors Railway, where you can watch the locomotives being turned, and it sits on the Esk Valley line too. Services are seasonal on the heritage railway, so confirm what is running before you plan a walk around catching one.
A shorter circular: Glaisdale and Egton Bridge
For the village itself, see our Glaisdale guide.
If you would rather walk a loop than a one way route, the National Park publishes a circular between Glaisdale and Egton Bridge, two villages further up the valley that each have a station on the Esk Valley line. The Park describes it as a 5 mile walk; its route data gives 10 km with 292 m of climb, grades it moderate and allows about 3 hours 30 minutes. It starts and finishes at Glaisdale station, and because both villages are on the line you can join it at either.
From Glaisdale station the route passes Beggar's Bridge, a stone bridge marked with the date 1619 and the initials T F. The National Park tells its story: Thomas Ferres, an Egton farmer's son, could not cross the flooded Esk to say goodbye to Agnes Richardson before going to sea, came home with a fortune, married her and built the bridge. The walk then climbs steeply out of the valley onto high farmland with wide views, drops to Egton Bridge, where the Postgate Inn and the Horseshoe Hotel are on the route, and returns through East Arnecliff Wood on a paved stone trod known locally as the Monks' Trod.
Expect several stiles, two steep climbs, about 2.8 km on minor roads and stone trods that are slippery when wet. Farm animals graze the fields, so the Park asks for dogs on a short lead, and cyclists and horse riders use the track through East Arnecliff Wood. Take OS Explorer OL27. The map and step by step directions are on the National Park's Glaisdale and Egton Bridge route, and the National Park's Glaisdale page has parking and station details.
Walking it with a dog
For a different walk near an Esk Valley station, the Danby and Danby Lodge walks guide separates the Lodge’s routes and dog restrictions.
Keep dogs controlled near livestock. The steep sections and steps need care. Dogs cost £3 per day on standard North Yorkshire Moors Railway services, according to its fares information. Check the timetable before travelling. More in our dog-friendly guide.
Esk Valley to Grosmont walk FAQs
Can you walk one way and come back by train?
Yes, that is the point of this one. Follow the river inland and return by train, or take the train out and walk back.
Is the Esk Valley walk hilly?
The National Park route has 191 m of ascent. Much uses level bridleways, but there are steep sections near Ruswarp and the steps towards Whitby.
Can dogs travel on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway?
Dogs are allowed on standard services; check the current railway fares and conditions before travelling. Event arrangements can differ.
Is there a circular walk from Glaisdale?
Yes. The National Park publishes a Glaisdale and Egton Bridge circular of about 5 miles from Glaisdale station, over Beggar's Bridge and back through East Arnecliff Wood. It is graded moderate, with two steep climbs and several stiles, and both villages have stations on the Esk Valley line.
Stay in the Esk Valley
Whitby at the seaward end, Grosmont and the valley villages inland.
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