How long is the Falling Foss walk?

The National Park May Beck and Falling Foss circular is 3.1 km, described as 2 miles, with 80 m ascent and a published duration of 55 minutes. No combined Littlebeck extension distance is confirmed.

Are there toilets on the route?

The promoted May Beck route states there are no toilets. The confirmed public toilets at Goathland National Park car park require a separate journey.

Can dogs visit Falling Foss and Little Beck Wood?

Keep dogs on a short lead near waterfall drops and livestock. Yorkshire Wildlife Trust requires dogs on leads in Little Beck Wood.

Is the tea garden open all year?

No. The operator's published 2026 summer dates have ended. No 2027 opening dates were confirmed; check directly and bring food.

Walks

Falling Foss and Littlebeck walks

By Jon Cosson · Updated 1 November 2026 · Checked 1 November 2026

Park boundary status unconfirmed

The measured May Beck and Falling Foss circuit and the woodland towards Littlebeck are different route choices. I keep their figures separate: use the National Park's two-mile circular for a defined outing, and its reserve guidance for an unmeasured Littlebeck extension.

The walk at a glance

Distance: 2 miles / 3.1 km, circularNational Park May Beck and Falling Foss circular: 3.1 km, described as 2 miles. A Littlebeck extension has no confirmed combined distance.
Ascent: 80 m ascent and descent in the promoted route data.
Time: 55 minutes in the promoted route data; stops and slippery ground add time.
Difficulty: Easy, woodland paths, steep drops near the waterfall and steep, uneven unsurfaced paths on the separate Littlebeck extension.
Start & parking: Forestry England May Beck car park; May Beck, south of Whitby; The promoted route says charges may apply; no current amount was verified.; The promoted route describes space for 20 or more vehicles, not guaranteed availability.; grid ref NZ 89233 02491 (National Park promoted May Beck and Falling Foss route start.)
Dogs: Promoted route: short lead near waterfall drops and livestock. Little Beck Wood: dogs on leads, Yorkshire Wildlife Trust.
Wheelchairs: Little Beck Wood is not wheelchair accessible: steep, uneven and unsurfaced woodland paths, Yorkshire Wildlife Trust.
Toilets: No toilets on the May Beck route, according to the National Park route. Confirmed public toilets at Goathland National Park car park require a separate journey.
Café: Falling Foss Tea Garden's published 2026 summer dates have ended. No 2027 opening dates confirmed; bring food.
Hazards: The source warns of very steep drops near the waterfall, with dogs on short leads there and near livestock. Little Beck Wood has steep, uneven unsurfaced paths and is not wheelchair accessible. No full-combination buggy suitability confirmed. Check local signs for livestock, ground-nesting birds and forest work. Wet paths, mud and bracken can obscure footing; do not push through vegetation to make a shortcut.

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About this route

Route guidance from the published sources below, with mapping where available. Information last checked: 1 November 2026. Unconfirmed details and separately dated variants remain explicit. If you find a change, use the contact page.

Distance notes: National Park May Beck and Falling Foss circular: 3.1 km, described as 2 miles. A Littlebeck extension has no confirmed combined distance..

Ascent: 80 m ascent and descent in the promoted route data..

Current route and access check

Park boundary status unconfirmed

The measured May Beck and Falling Foss circular leads through woodland to the tea garden and waterfall, then returns beside May Beck. Little Beck Wood towards Littlebeck is a separate extension: no combined distance is claimed. Use the official route and reserve guides.

The source warns of very steep drops near the waterfall, with dogs on short leads there and near livestock. Little Beck Wood has steep, uneven unsurfaced paths and is not wheelchair accessible. No full-combination buggy suitability confirmed.

Route file and official map

No licence permitting this guide to redistribute the GPX was established. Use the official route platform directly.

Official route or reserve guidance

Details not confirmed

No official May Beck car-park postcode or current parking amount confirmed.
No combined Littlebeck-extension distance or total ascent verified.
No direct current public transport to May Beck confirmed.
No GPX redistribution licence established.

Choose the waterfall outing

For tea-garden and waterfall visiting details, read the Falling Foss guide; for the village and reserve approach, read Littlebeck.

How long is the Falling Foss walk?: The National Park May Beck and Falling Foss circular is 3.1 km, described as 2 miles, with 80 m ascent and a published duration of 55 minutes. No combined Littlebeck extension distance is confirmed.
Are there toilets on the route?: The promoted May Beck route states there are no toilets. The confirmed public toilets at Goathland National Park car park require a separate journey.
Can dogs visit Falling Foss and Little Beck Wood?: Keep dogs on a short lead near waterfall drops and livestock. Yorkshire Wildlife Trust requires dogs on leads in Little Beck Wood.
Is the tea garden open all year?: No. The operator's published 2026 summer dates have ended. No 2027 opening dates were confirmed; check directly and bring food.

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