Six Yorkshire Walks with Spectacular Views

Start on the seashore at Sandsend and grab a coffee at the beachside bar before heading south. The walk is mostly sand (so wait until the tide is going out for the harder stuff), but you get a bird’s-eye view of the sea birds swooping over, and the surfers trying their luck. Nearer Whitby, head up to the promenade on West Cliff which will take you past the colourful beach huts, and the town’s Victorian theatre which overlooks the bay, before dropping down into the famous seaside town where fish and chips are a must.

Set out from the tiny village of Malham at the foot of the limestone scar, take the steps up the side of the cove and you’ll reach the much-photographed limestone pavement at the very top. Rest a while and enjoy the spectacular views before heading across the pavement to the east side where you can pick up the pathway which will take you down to Janet’s Foss, where Goredale Beck drops into the stunning ‘fairy’ pool. Follow the beck to complete the loop, ending back at Malham where you can enjoy a cold pint in the garden of the Lister Arms.

The area around the pretty Dales village of Grassington is dotted with pools and falls just crying out for a spot of wild swimming, and you’ll see plenty of families messing about in the water here when the weather allows. As the river rushes through the narrow channel at nearby Ghaistrill’s Strid there are exhilarating rapids and rocky pools, and at Loup Scar there’s a tempting plunge pool. Just follow the River Wharfe.

One of the most distinctive landmarks in the Tees Valley area, the views from Roseberry Topping are certainly not to be missed. There are plenty of routes to follow – from short two-mile climbs which are perfect for families to seven-mile woodland trails that take you via Captain Cook’s Monument.

Start and end this relatively easy seven-mile walk in the Dales village of Hawes and you will pass a series of stunning waterfalls along the route, including Cotter Force, Aysgill Force and Hardraw Force, England’s highest single-drop waterfall.

Often described as one of the most beautiful places in the county, the meadowland at Mucker is a riot of colour and the landscape largely unchanged from the late 18th century. There’s an easy circular route from the pretty village of Mucker, with its old church and stone cottages, which follows the River Swale east as it emerges from a deep valley, to the old mining village of Gunnerside, crossing the river at Ramps Holme footbridge. and then back again. Keep an eye out for swifts, swallows and curlews as you go.