The Complete Guide to the North York Moors - The Best Waterfalls

The North York Moors are a wonderful place to go if you are looking for peaceful walking. Miles upon mile of upland moor are the draw to those who visit the National Park and the walks, seemingly desolate in winter but beautifully coloured in summer and a glorious purple of blooming heather in late summer/ early autumn are loved by all who frequent them. Despite the the wealth of upland drainage, the waterfalls of the North York Moors are not particularly acclaimed. Some, like Falling Foss are well known locally but none can claim the reputation of ones like Gordale Scar in the Yorkshire Dales or Aira Force in the Lake District. This list should address that neglect. It would be nice for some readers of this page to make out a plan to visit all walk all on the list. I guarantee all who do will enjoy the outcome. For instance you can fashion your own walk to find treasures like I did when combining exploration of Thomason Foss & Mallyan Spout in the Goathland Waterfall's Walk. I am doing all of them for sure, so should you.

Note: Click the link on each grid reference point for a GPS (.gpx) file which indicates the location of the particular waterfall.

Falling Foss Grid Ref: NZ885037 Location: Little Beck Wood

Falling Foss lies deep in the heart of Little Beck Wood which is walked through by all long distance Coast to Coast walkers. As it is with waterfalls the 30 feet drop is particularly impressive after a spell of rain. A walk to the waterfall leads through rich, semi-natural woodland on either side of the Little & May Becks. You will also see the Hermitage which has been carved from a massive boulder - there is a viewpoint there too.

Thomason Foss Grid Ref: NZ825021 Location: Goathland

Thomason Foss is found just north of Goathland in Eller Beck as it makes its way to join up with the River Esk. You could easily plot a lovely walk visiting Thomason Foss and the other noted waterfalls in this locality by starting from Goathland and following Eller Beck north to its meeting with West Beck then following it south to Mallyan Spout before heading back. At four miles it would be a lovely short walk.

Blow Gill Grid Ref: SE528933 Location: Goathland

Blow Gill lies at the roadside on the Osmotherley to Hawnby road, approx 2 miles from Hawnby. It is a very small waterfall that runs underneath the Osmotherley to Hawnby road. According to local photographer James Hall it is particularly eyecatching in the autumn when a carpet of leaves are sprinkled over the surrounding area. (Image courtesy of Wikipedia)

Mallyan Spout Grid Ref: NZ824009 Location: Goathland

With an impressive drop of 60 feet, Mallyan Spout is the highest waterfall in the North York Moors. With a path passing right by the waterfall you can get a close upimpeded view of the spout which is best after a good deluge of rain. In dry weather, like Hardraw Force in the Yorkshire Dales the spout can be a disappointment with just a trickle dropping from the heights above.

Hayburn Wyke Grid Ref: TA009970 Location: Yorkshire Coast

Hayburn Wyke, a remarkable dual waterfall with a huge boulder splitting the flow is found on the coastal path between Robin Hood's Bay and Scarborough. The water is soon salted by the sea after descending the cascade as it drops onto a shingly beach and onwards into the sea. I had the pleasure of relaxing at the idyllic waterfall during my extra leg of my 1999 Coast to Coast walk. I would love to visit it again one day. (Image courtesy of Wikipedia)

Nelly Ayre Foss Grid Ref: SE813996 Location: Goathland

Nelly Ayre Foss is a small but significant waterfall in West Beck near Goathland and is two kilometres upstream of Mallyan Spout (see above). Personally I would create a walk to feature three waterfalls in the one journey with Nelly Ayre Foss, Mallyan Spout and Thomason Foss being close enough to make up a spectacular walk starting out and finishing in Goathland. I would include Howl Moor and the trig point at Simon Howe to complete the route. (Image courtesy of Wikipedia)

Old Meggison Grid Ref: NZ 595095 Location: Kildale

Old Meggison, as it was named on a 1913 Ordnance Survey map or Kildale Waterfall as it may be described now is a feature of the River Leven in Mill Bank Wood and can be found about a kilometer north west of the village of Kildale which is three miles south east of Great Ayton. It wouldn't be too difficult to plan a walk to the waterfall when visiting Captain Cook's Monument as Mill Bank Wood is near to the noted landmark. (Image courtesy of Wikipedia)