Rosedale Abbey Walk via the Railway and Blakey Ridge

This walk takes you from Rosedale Abbey, and through the valley, before climbing up to Blakey Ridge. After which, you will follow the old railway track to walk back to Rosedale Abbey.

You would be forgiven for thinking there is an abbey. There is not. It’s just the name of the village. Rosedale Abbey is a quiet little place, and a perfect base for walks if you want peace and tranquility. In fact, even though I did this walk on a summer weekend, I passed less than a handful of people on the whole route.

A large grass field with some trees running down the middle of it, and along the edge ahead, on the walk from Rosedale Abbey. There is a big hill rising up past the field.

A few sheep standing under a big tree on the circular walk from Rosedale Abbey, in the North York Moors National Park. There is a lamb feeding from the mother sheep. There is a swinging chair hanging from the tree.

A rugged grassy area, lined with rugged stone walks, partway through the walk from Rosedale Abbey. There are trees ahead, and a hill rising up in the distance.

Looking down into the valley, with a sweeping field view, on the walk up to Blakey Ridge from Rosedale Abbey.

Rosedale Abbey wasn’t always this way though. It was once a noisy, sooty, industrial hub, and home to nearly 5000 miners….

What I’m going to do in this guide, is first give you an overview of the Rosedale Abbey walk, with full logistics, a map, and useful tips. Then I will go on to describe the walk step by step with photos. At the end, I will provide suggestions for other walks near Rosedale Abbey.

What to expect on the Rosedale Abbey walk

Starting from the centre of Rosedale Abbey, you will first have to walk through a caravan park. After which, you will be on a trail leading you through the valley and many fields, with views of the grand ridge to your left, and hills with the remnants of the industrial past to your right. It feels like a real proper countryside walk (well…it is). On this whole stretch, I passed absolutely no one (except a farmer).

Cows grazing in a field, on the circular walk from Rosedale Abbey. There are trees on the other side of the field, and a hill rising up on the other side.

A big hill, with trees dotted about, and some of the industrial mining ruins on the side of the hill, on the walk from Rosedale Abbey.

A stone wall cutting across a green grassy area, with cherry blossom trees, tufts of grass, and a hill in the distance, partway through the Rosedale Abbey circular walk.

A white pony standing in a green grass field. There is a wire and wooden fence surrounding the field.

You will then walk up a pretty big hill to reach Blakey Ridge. It’s not too cruel though, and does wind you up, rather than forcing you straight up. Then of course, just like any good hill climb, you will be rewarded with fantastic far reaching views. Oh, and you also have a pub up here, which marks the halfway point in the Rosedale Abbey walk.

A dirt path leading down hill, lined with grass banks. There is a group of cottages at the bottom of the hill, and a hill rising up beyond them. — This is looking back, on the way up to Blakey Ridge

Looking down into the valley of patchwork fields, on the walk up to Blakey Ridge from Rosedale Abbey.

After Blakey Ridge, you will first walk along the Farndale Railway, surrounded by moorland and views down the other side of the valley. Then you will walk along the Rosedale Railway for a solid chunk, before walking down to Rosedale Abbey.

Looking down into the valley with patchwork fields of green and yellow, lined with trees, on the walk towards Blakey Ridge from Rosedale Abbey.

Looking down over the white cherry blossom trees to the village of Rosedale Abbey below, near the end of the walk. Rosedale Abbey is sitting at the bottom of the valley, and is surrounded by trees.

The Rosedale Railway

You don’t walk along an actual railway, but rather the railway track bed.

Fun fact: This railway was used in the 19th century to carry iron ore from the mines and kilns on both sides of the valley.

The railway was built by navvies (navigators), who lived in communal turf huts alongside the railway. They had to work pretty hard using only pick, shovel, and wheelbarrow. The hard work was noticed though, as they weren’t considered highly by the Victorian society, who thought them to be immoral and dangerous.

The railway section, when walking back to Rosedale Abbey, wasn’t my favourite bit. I mean, it was cool for a moment, and the views are really something. But it goes on for a long time, and does start to become a bit samey. This is what the trail looks like for a long time:

The Rosedale Railway path leading straight ahead, lined with heather moorland, in the second half of the walk.

I did really enjoy the very last bit though, descending down off the ridge into Rosedale Abbey.

A dirt path leading down into a mass of white cherry blossom and green leafed trees. There are tree branches overhanging into the frame.

How long is the Rosedale Abbey walk?

The full Rosedale Abbey circular walk is 10.4 miles. It took me about 3h 30min to complete.

Is the walk challenging?

I would rate the Rosedale Abbey walk as easy-moderate. The route itself is easy, and the hill isn’t too bad. I have elevated it towards moderate though, due to the length.

A dirt track leading straight ahead, with a stone wall on the right, and messy unkept grass to the left, partway through the walk from Rosedale Abbey. There are a few trees lining both sides of the track.

Is the Rosedale Abbey walk dog friendly?

If you have a dog, and want to walk the full circular from Rosedale Abbey, there are a few things to be aware of. First, there is lots of livestock pretty much the whole way. There are also quite a few stiles, and a ladder.

A wooden ladder leading over a stone wall. There is a mass of green leafed plants this side of the wall, and tree branches overhanging the wall.

Two white sheep standing on a thin dirt trail through the grass, and a stone wall along the other side of the trail.

The Rosedale Railway section of the walk doesn’t have stiles, and there is parking up there, near to Blakey Ridge. So you could just head up there if you wish. I know I said it’s not my favourite bit of the walk, but the views are great, and I did enjoy it for a bit.

Parking in Rosedale Abbey

There is no official car park in Rosedale Abbey. You just park on the street, which is free.

Logistics

Start/Finish: Rosedale Abbey

Where is it: Rosedale Abbey is located right in the heart of the North York Moors National Park. Post code for the tea room at the centre of the village is YO18 8SA.
Distance: 10.4 miles
Time: 3h 30min

Difficulty: Easy/Moderate
Terrain: Dirt trail, rocks and gravel, grass, stiles, a little bit of road, a ladder.
Time of year: I walked there Rosedale Abbey circular in summer

Amenities: In Rosedale Abbey there is a small store and tea room, a cafe and a pub. At the halfway point in the walk, is the Red Lion pub.

Looking across the neatly cut green to the Rosedale Abbey tea room and garden building at the start of the walk. The budding is made of stone walls. There is a flower patch running across the other side of the green. There are lots of picnic benches next to the tea room building.

A hanging black sign saying 'Abbey tea room and stores' in gold writing. To the left of the sign is a neatly cut green, with purples flowers lining the other side. Past the flowers is a black railing fence, with picnic benched with closed down white umbrellas.

Map for the Rosedale Abbey walk via Blakey Ridge and the Railway

You can find my more detailed route map for the Rosedale Abbey walk on Alltrails.

To explore more walks across the North York Moors, you can read about all the best routes I recommend here.

Route description for the Rosedale Abbey Walk

Starting from the main green in Rosedale Abbey, walk into the graveyard opposite the abbey store. Follow the path around the church and out the other side.

A green area, with a big tree in the middle. There is a crown statue to the left.

A path leading through a graveyard with headstones on the green to the left.

A church to the left, and a path leading around to the right. There are a few gravestones in front of the church.

A cylindrical stone walled structure, in front of a tall green bush. There is a stone walled house on the other side of the bush.

A road, with two parked cars, and some red roofed cottages on the other side of the road. There is a hill in the distance past the rooftops.

This is where I first saw the big hill, and my excitement levels rose a bit. I knew I would be up there later on, when walking along the railway back to Rosedale Abbey. Mr Hill was waiting for me.

Through the gate, go directly opposite, and through the next gate across the road. This will lead you to the caravan park.

A paved path leading towards a metal gate with trees on the other side. There is a grass area to the right side of the path, and a dog poo pin on the left side.

At the road, turn right. Follow it past the playground, then when you reach the fork, take the right.

A fork in the road, with a big green leafy tree in the middle. There is a caravan visible at the end of the left road. — Go right here

Then when you reach the next lot of caravans, instead of following the road to them, take the little gate to the side. There may or may not be a tractor there. This will get you onto the start of the trail.

A gravel patch of ground, with a big tractor to the right, and gate ahead, and a caravan trailer to the left.

The trail leading straight ahead through the grass, lined with bushes and trees on both sides.

Walk through the valley

You now follow this trail straight for some time, across some hill fields, with a view to the big hill to your left.

Looking over the green bushes to a hill ahead, near the start of the walk from Rosedale Abbey. There is a cottage at the bottom of the hill.

The trail leading straight ahead, through the grass, with a wire fence to the right, and a yellow flowered bush, and trees to the left.

A trail leading through the grass field, with bushy trees along the left side.

A large grass undulating field, with a thin trail along the right edge, and trees lining the other side, partway through the circular walk from Rosedale Abbey. There is a hill in the distance to the left.

The trail will lead you into some woods, then at the junction in the woods, take the middle one (the left one in the second photo below).

A dirt trail leading to woodland head, with a grass field to the left, and a hill with tall grass to the right. There are trees overhanging the trail.

A dirt trail in the woods, leading up the hill to the right, and another trail leading to the left out of the woods, along the walk from Rosedale Abbey. There is a wooden fence lining the other side of the left trail. — Take the left path here

This will lead you back into the open fields, where you follow a grass trail.

A wooden walkway surround by green leafed plants, leading to a wooden gate and a large field on the tougher side. There is a big tree on the left side of the walkway.

A patch of dirt ground in the middle of an opening in the fence, leading to a large grass field on the other side. There are trees on both side, and trees in the distance.

When you reach the gate, there should be a yellow arrow pointing straight/diagonal right. Follow this.

A wooden gate in a stone wall, with a large grass field on the other side.

A very large grassy undulating field. There are some tufts of grass to the right, and trees lining the far end of the field.

The animals

When I reached this field, I could see some animals in the distance, and I just couldn’t figure out what they were. They looked sheep shaped, but too big to be sheep. So maybe cows shaped like sheep? As I wasn’t sure, I decided to walk along the edge of the field, so I had a quick escape over the fence if needed. A barbed wire fence of course.

As I got closer, I realised they were definitely sheep, so I could relax a bit now. But I could see why I wasn’t sure what animal they were. These are not a breed of sheep I’m used to. They look more like teddy bears.

Two sheep standing on the grass field. There is a wire fence and masses of green leafy trees lining the other end of the field.

Through the gate at the other side of the field, turn left, and follow the trail down to the next gate.

A dirt path leading down to the left, then curving right. The path is lined with gras, big green leafed bushes and trees, and a few white cherry blossom trees.

A wooden gate and wire fence cutting across the grass field from bottom right to top left. There is a mass of green leafed trees ahead.

Through here you will have a dirt type trail to follow, which sort of disappears a short way along. When that happens, just follow the edge of the trees around to the left, to reach the stile and bridge.

A rugged dirt path on the left, with a green grass field to the right. There are sheep grazing in the field. — Follow it around to the left here

A wooden style in the wooden fence, leading to a bridge. There is a green grass field visible passed the bridge. There are trees surrounding the bridge.

There is a trail signpost here pointing left. Ignore that. Instead, follow the yellow arrow on the fence pointing diagonal right.

Two yellow arrows on the wooden fence, pointing left and ahead to the right.

The dogs

This arrow directs you up the little hill, and to the right of the farm house. I hate farm houses. Ever since I got chased by a farm dog. So my guard was up. Then I heard them. The dogs. I quickly backed down the hill.

After some back and forth, trying to work out another way, I peaked back up the hill and saw that a dog was contained in a big cage. I was safe. So I proceeded back up the hill, wondering why the dog was in a cage. Was it a dangerous dog? Now I started to envision the dog breaking out of the cage. Then I saw another dog. Not contained. I quickened my pace to get to the next gate before it ‘attacked’.

A grassy area with a wooden gate ahead. The gate has a wooden fence to the left, and stone wall to the right. There is lots of greenery and trees on the other side of the gate.

The mini woods

Through this gate, you will be engulfed by woods and bushes. I found it quite pretty with all the flowers, although, I was a bit on edge still. With the sounds of the dogs barking in the background. I hurried through this bit, just incase the dogs found me.

A mass of green plants, and white flowers, with leafy trees, partway through the walk from Rosedale Abbey.

There is stile through here, and then a ladder to get into the field.

A wooden style leading to a dirt path, in the woods.

Once in the field, go straight up a short way, then turn left to walk all the way to the top of the hill, and through a gate to reach the road. At the road, turn right.

A large field with unkept grass, and a hill surround by trees on the other side. — This is after you turned left in the field

A wooden gate in the green hedge, with messy grass in front of it.

A rugged road leading straight ahead, lined with bushes on both sides.

The road

The next section of the Rosedale Abbey walk route, will be on this road for some time. I did really enjoy this bit. It’s not a regular car road. But rather, the road for the farmers.

For some parts, you will have views all around of the surrounding hills, and some parts are more enclosed by tall hedges.

A gravel road lined with green bushes, and a view to hills and field sin the distance.

Looking down across fields with cows, and a hill rising up in the distance, when walking from Rosedale Abbey to Blakey Ridge.

Some way along, you will pass a sign directing you for the Rosedale walk. It was nice to know I was on the right track.

A wooden post with a sign saying 'Rosedale walk', when walking towards Blakey Ridge. There is a gravel road to the left of the sign and a stone wall to the right.

A gravel road, lined with tall bushes and trees to the right, and green plants covering a stone wall to the left, partway through the circular walk from Rosedale Abbey.

You will also start to see some of the old industrial buildings up the hill to your right. I didn’t know what these were yet.

Looking towards a hill, with the ruins of the old kilns and water tower near the top, partway through the walk from Rosedale Abbey. There are lots of green leafy trees at the bottom of the hill.

(Later on, when walking along the railway, back to Rosedale Abbey, there is an information board that tells you about them. They are kilns and a water tower).

When you reach the farm house, take the right path at the junction.

A fork in the gravel path, with farm buildings straight ahead.

A wooden post with a blue arrow pointing straight ahead. There is a track to the left, and stone wall to the right, and a farm building with a red roof ahead.

Cows and more fields

You will now be on a path alongside a rugged stone wall.

A wooden post surrounded by green leaves on the left side of a gravel dirt path, on the circular walk from Rosedale Abbey. There is a blue arrow on the post pointing straight ahead.

So far on this Rosedale Abbey walk, I had seen a lot of cows. Always contained in a different field. So I was safe. The next cows were not contained.

I could see them ahead, seemingly separated from me by stone wall, so when I saw a big gap in the wall, I froze. The cows saw me and stared. All menacing looking.

A group of orange cows on the other side of a stone wall, with a big hole. There is a dirt path on this side of the wall. There is a tree on the other side, next to the cows.

I waited to see their next move. They didn’t move. They just stared. So I crept passed really really slowly. Hoping that if I was slow enough, I would be invisible to them.

Once I was passed, I quickened my pace, occasionally looking back to make sure they weren’t following me.

They weren’t.

Staying on this main path, once through the next gate, as I was closing it, I noticed the bull sign for where I had just been. So glad I hadn’t seen this before.

The dirt path leading to a wooden gate in a stone wall. There is a grass field on the other side of the wall, and trees and bushes along the left side of the field.

You now walk straight across the field edge. For the next bit you will walk though a series of gates, and across more fields, following the track, all the way to reach the road.

A grass path through the filed, with tufts of tall grass dotted about.

A wooden gate in the stone wall, with a grass field on the other side. There is a stone wall along the left side of the field. There is a big tree further along by the stone wall.

A wooden gate, leading to a track running across a grass field. There is a stone wall running along the left side of the field, and a big tree ahead to the left.

At the road, turn left, then a short way up, at the junction at the houses, turn left and through a gate to get back onto the trail.

A road lined with green plants with white flowers, and some big leafy trees ahead.

A wooden gate leading to a dirt path up the hill. There is a trail signpost on the left of the path.

Walk up the hill to Blakey Ridge

Now you have a solid bit of uphill walking to reach Blakey ridge. It’s a little rugged in parts, and curves you up back and forth. I stopped a lot to ‘look at the views’.

A rugged stoney path leading up the hill, on the walk up to Blakey Ridge. The path is lined with grass.

A gravel path winding up the grass hill, on the walk up towards Blakey Ridge.

When you reach the big junction, turn right. This is the Rosedale Railway, although you will only be walking on it for a short while for now.

A metal barrier across the gravel path of the Rosedale Railway, on the walk up to Blakey ridge. There is a sign on the barrier saying 'no motorcycles of vehicles'.

As you continue along the Rosedale Railway trail, look out for a rugged side trail to the left, and go up it.

The Rosedale Railway path leading ahead to the right, with a rugged dirt trail leading up the hill to the left, on the walk up to Blakey Ridge.

After a bit more rugged uphill, you should start to get a glimpse of the rooftops, just before you reach the road.

A rugged rocky path leading up through the heather moor, on the walk up to Blakey Ridge. There is a red roofed cottage visible at the top of the hill to the right.

Blakey Ridge and the halfway point in the Rosedale Abbey walk

Across the road is the pub. The timing of it actually works out quite perfectly. Apart from it marking the halfway point in the Rosedale Abbey walk, it is the highest point in the route. Then the rest of the walk back to Rosedale Abbey, is mostly on easy path. So you don’t have anything too aggressive to deal with after, if you decide to have a good lunch here.

A road, with a large car park filled with parked cars on the other side. There is a pub on the other side of the car park.

Just past the pub, you should see a stone up the hill. Go up to that. I wondered if I would get a grand view once up there. This is what I got instead:

A rugged trail leading up the grass hill to the summit of Blakey Ridge, which has a stone pillar at the top.

Looking across the vast brown heather moorland, after the walk to the top of Blakey Ridge.

I mean, it is grand. Just not the kind of grand I was expecting. I imagine if the heather was in bloom, it would actually be quite wonderful.

Follow the Farndale Railway back towards Rosedale Abbey

Now, follow the path as it guides you alongside the wall (wall to your left), and you will reach the Farndale Railway trail. Turn left here.

Looking across the vast moorland with brown heather. There is a stone wall to the left.

A rugged dirt trail leading through the moorland with overgrown grass, on the walk back towards Rosedale Abbey. There is a stone wall to the left, and a red roofed shed on the other side of the wall.

A wide gravel path leading straight, surround by green and brown coloured moorland. — This is the Farndale Railway trail

These are the views I was expecting. Far reaching sweeping hillside and valley views.

Looking down across the brown moor, to the sweeping valley view ahead. The valley is filled with green grass fields, and trees.

When you reach the trail signpost, turn left onto the road, then go straight across it, to reach the Rosedale Railway.

A road leading uphill to the right, with a grassy area to the left. There is a wooden footpath sign on the green, pointing to the left, and ahead.

A wooden footpath sign on the green grass patch on the right, with the gravel path to the left.

An information board marking Blakey Junction and the Rosedale Railway, on the walk back towards Rosedale Abbey. The information board is on a green area, with a view to the valley hills in the distance.

Walk along the Rosedale Railway

When you reach the Rosedale Railway trail, turn right. For a long time now, the path is something like this:

The gravel path of the Rosedale Railway, leading ahead through the grass hilltop.

The gravel Rosedale Railway path, lined with grass and brown heather moorland, on the walk back towards Rosedale Abbey.

The views down into the valley are really great, better than they look in the pictures. Although after a while, it did start to all feel a bit samey. Same path. Same views.

Looking down into the valley filled with green grass fields. There are a couple of sheep just ahead.

Looking down into the valley filled with green, when walking along the Rosedale Railway.

The Rosedale Railway path leading straight ahead, lined with moorland banks.

I was quite happy when I reached some ruins. Something new.

An information board with brown heather behind, when walking along the Rosedale Railway trail.

This is the Sheriff’s Pit.

After some more of the same, you will start to get a view down to the village of Rosedale Abbey. It’s the caravan park which gives it away.

The Rosedale Railway path leading straight ahead, lined with brown and green coloured moorland.

Looking down the hill with tufts of orange grass, on the walk back towards Rosedale Abbey. The hill leads down into the valley which is filled with green grass fields, and trees.

Looking down the hill, to the valley below, on the walk back to Rosedale Abbey. There is a big hill in the middle of the valley. The valley is filled with green, yellow, and orange patchwork fields.

Walk down to Rosedale Abbey

At the big junction, take the path to the left, then go onto the grass trail to the left of the big tree with a swing.

A gravel road junction, with a patch of grass in the junction, and a big tree down the road to the left. — Go left here, then onto the grass to the left of that tree.

A rugged dirt path leading across the grass field, with a view to a hill rising up in the distance.

Some way further down, there is another trail you want to get on, off this main one. You might miss it. I did.

For reference, when you see the fence, you want to be walking to the left of it, so the fence is to your right.

Looking down across the rugged grass field, to the valley below, and hill rising up on the other side.

The trail is obvious when you find it:

trail leading through a trough in the grass field, with a view to the village of Rosedale Abbey at the bottom of the valley below.

Everything started to become a lot more pretty down here. Looking over the cherry blossoms, down to a tiny little village nestled within some trees in the valley below.

The trail will lead you over a stile, and then down a very steep rugged bit, to reach a gate and footpath sign.

A stile and wooden fence, with a hill rising up to the left, and wire fence to the right. There is a mass of plants to the right side of the fence, and masses of trees ahead.

A rugged dirt trial leading downhill into a mass of white cherry blossom trees.

An area of rugged grass hillside, with white cherry blossom, and green leafed trees along the right side, and ahead.

A wooden gate in a stone wall, cutting across there frame, with a view down into the valley below, near the end of the Rosedale Abbey circular walk. There is a wooden trail signpost on this side of the wall, pointing through the gate. The valley is filled with trees, and patchwork fields.

Go through the gate, and straight down the hill. Look out for the wooden gate to the right, which will lead you through a small golf course.

The corner of a grass field, with a stone wall lining it. There is a wooden gate in the stone wall, and trees overhanging the wall.

Looking through a gap in the leafy bushes to the green on a gold course, with a hut type building on the other side of the green.

Go straight across, and around the building ahead, turning left to reach the road.

Go downhill some more

At the road, there is a small gap straight across in the bushes on the other side. Go through it, and then all the way down to the other end of the big field.

A wooden stile though a gap in the bushes with white flowers.

Looking down a large grass field, with lots of trees at the bottom, and a hill rising up on the other side, on the walk back down into Rosedale Abbey.

A gras trail through the unkept messy grass, leading towards a stone walled cottage, and masses of green leafy trees on the other side.

Just next to the house at the bottom, is a stile, and then some surprise steps just after.

When you reach the road, turn left, to walk back to the centre of Rosedale Abbey.

More walks near Rosedale Abbey

If you like a bit of history, then this walk from Goathland to Grosmont also takes you along an old railway line. It’s a much more gentle route, and there are information boards all the way, telling you about the past.

If you want to see an actual abbey, then you might like this walk from Helmsley to Rievaulx Abbey. It’s much shorter, and a good one for families.

Not too far away from Rosedale Abbey, you can walk the Hole of Horcum. This is a good one to do if you like impressive views.

Another cool one for views, is the Roseberry Topping circular. It looks scary with it’s pointy peak, but it’s not at all.

If you want more moorland walks, then you should try this route to the Wainstones. It’s one of my favourites out this way, and takes you across the highest moor in Yorkshire.

Pin it for later: Rosedale Abbey and Railway walk guide

You can find out more about things to do in the North York Moors on the National Parks website.