The Esk Valley Walk

The Esk Valley Walk follows the river from the high moors to the harbour at Whitby. It begins with a long loop round the head of the dale from Castleton: up Danby Dale to Blakey Ridge, down through Westerdale and back to Castleton, before following the valley east through Danby, Lealholm, Glaisdale, Egton Bridge, Grosmont, Sleights and Ruswarp to the sea.

The route is waymarked with a leaping salmon symbol. It mixes riverside paths, ancient stone trods, quiet lanes and open moor, with plenty of pubs and tea rooms along the way.

Doing it in sections

Because the Esk Valley Railway shadows the route, the walk breaks neatly into day sections between stations:

• The Castleton loop (Danby Dale, Blakey Ridge, Westerdale): about 15 miles over the moor
• Castleton to Lealholm: about 7 miles via Danby
• Lealholm to Grosmont: about 6 miles via Glaisdale and Egton Bridge
• Grosmont to Whitby: about 8 miles via Sleights and Ruswarp

The national park authority publishes a route guide, and leaflets are available at The Moors Centre in Danby.