Dog-Friendly North York Moors

The North York Moors National Park combines wild heather moorland with a stunning Heritage Coast. Purple in late summer, dramatic year-round, this Yorkshire landscape offers excellent dog-friendly walking. Traditional villages, welcoming pubs, and steam railway heritage add character to outdoor adventures.

This guide covers everything dog owners need to know about the North York Moors, complementing our main Yorkshire guide.

North York Moors Overview

The Area

Geography:

• North Yorkshire
• 554 square miles
• Heather moorland
• Heritage coastline
• Deep valleys (dales)

Character:

• Wild open moors
• Traditional villages
• Strong heritage
• Steam railway
• Less crowded than Lake District

Why Dogs Love It

• Open moorland freedom
• Varied terrain
• Coastal walking
• Year-round appeal
• Space to run

Key Areas

The Central Moors

Open Moorland:

• Vast heather landscapes
• Big skies
• Ancient crosses and standing stones
• Exposed but exhilarating

Key Areas:

• Rosedale
• Farndale (famous for daffodils)
• Danby Moor
• Goathland

The Coast

Heritage Coast:

• Robin Hood's Bay
• Whitby
• Staithes
• Runswick Bay
• Cleveland Way coastal section

Character:

• Dramatic cliffs
• Fishing villages
• Fossil hunting
• Dog-friendly beaches

See our Whitby guide for coastal details.

The Dales

Valleys:

• Rosedale
• Farndale
• Eskdale
• Newtondale

Character:

• Sheltered valleys
• Farmland
• Villages
• River walking

Villages

Goathland: Heartbeat village. Steam railway. Moorland setting.

Hutton-le-Hole: Pretty village. Sheep on green. Folk museum.

Robin Hood's Bay: Coastal village. Steep streets. Beach access.

Staithes: Fishing village. Dramatic setting. Artist heritage.

Recommended Walks

Easy Walks

Falling Foss: Woodland and waterfall. Easy paths. Hermitage. Scenic.

Dalby Forest: Forest trails. Various lengths. Good facilities. Bike trails too.

Grosmont to Goathland (rail trail): Along railway. Mostly flat. Steam trains. Atmospheric.

Moderate Walks

Rosedale Round: Former railway trackbed. High moorland views. Various lengths possible.

Robin Hood's Bay to Whitby: Cleveland Way coastal section. About 6 miles. Stunning.

Farndale Daffodil Walk: Spring highlight. Riverside walk. Beautiful in March/April.

Challenging Walks

Lyke Wake Walk: 40-mile challenge across moors. Multi-day. For serious walkers.

Coast-to-Coast Section: Passes through moors. Day sections possible.

Full Cleveland Way: 109 miles around park. See our Long Distance Trails guide.

The Coast

Cleveland Way Coastal Section

Spectacular Walking:

• Saltburn to Filey
• Dramatic cliffs
• Fishing villages
• Dog-friendly throughout

Highlights:

• Robin Hood's Bay
• Whitby approaches
• Staithes
• Runswick Bay

Dog-Friendly Beaches

Robin Hood's Bay: Beach at low tide. Dogs welcome. Victorian village above.

Runswick Bay: Sandy beach. Dogs allowed. Pretty village.

Sandsend: Near Whitby. Sandy beach. Dogs welcome.

Whitby: Beaches with some restrictions. Check locally.

See our Whitby guide for beach details.

Moorland Walking

What to Expect

The Moors:

• Open heather landscape
• Exposed to weather
• Navigation needed off main paths
• Grouse moors (seasonal considerations)
• Stunning in August (heather flowering)

Dog Considerations

On the Moors:

• Ground-nesting birds (spring/early summer)
• Keep dogs close during nesting season
• Grouse shooting season (August 12 onwards) - check access
• Livestock on lower ground
• Ticks in heather

Best Moorland Walks

Rosedale: Former ironstone railway gives high-level walking with great views.

Danby: Moors Centre good starting point. Various routes.

Goathland: Village base. Moorland access. Multiple options.

Steam Railways

North Yorkshire Moors Railway

Heritage Experience:

• Pickering to Whitby
• Steam trains
• Dogs welcome
• Scenic journey

Dog Notes:

• Dogs travel on trains
• Combine with walks
• Access moorland stations
• Unique experience

Walking with Railways

Goathland to Grosmont: Walk between stations. Return by train. Excellent combination.

Seasonal Considerations

Spring

Highlights:

• Farndale daffodils (March/April)
• Longer days
• Lambing (leads near sheep)
• Ground-nesting birds begin

Summer

Highlights:

• August heather flowering
• Longest days
• Best weather usually
• Grouse season begins August 12

Note: Some moorland access may be restricted during grouse shooting. Check locally.

Autumn

Highlights:

• Autumn colours in dales
• Quieter
• Often good weather
• Shooting season continues

Winter

Highlights:

• Dramatic skies
• Very quiet
• Snow possible on moors
• Cosy pubs

Dog-Friendly Pubs

Moorland Pubs

Traditional Character:

• Walking pubs throughout
• Muddy dogs understood
• Good food common
• Yorkshire hospitality

Popular Options:

• Goathland (several)
• Hutton-le-Hole
• Rosedale Abbey
• Coastal villages

Accommodation

Where to Stay

Pickering: Southern gateway. Market town. Railway station.

Helmsley: Western edge. Castle. Pretty town.

Whitby: Coastal base. Good facilities. Character.

Village Cottages: Throughout park. Often best for dogs.

For accommodation details, see our Yorkshire Cottages guide.

Practical Information

Getting There

By Car:

• A170 from Thirsk/Helmsley
• A169 from York via Pickering
• A171 from Middlesbrough

By Train: Mainline to Scarborough or Middlesbrough. Heritage railway within park.

Navigation

On the Moors:

• Open moorland requires navigation skills
• Weather can change quickly
• OS map essential off main paths
• Waymarked routes available

Weather

Moorland Weather:

• Exposed and changeable
• Mist possible
• Wind common
• Come prepared
• Can be colder than expected

Combining with Yorkshire

Nearby Options

Yorkshire Dales: West. Different character. See our Yorkshire guide.

York: Historic city. Day trip. See our York guide.

Yorkshire Coast: Scarborough, Filey. South of park.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the North York Moors dog-friendly?

Excellent. Open moorland, coastal walks, welcoming pubs. Seasonal bird and shooting considerations.

When is the heather in flower?

Usually late August into September. Purple moorland is spectacular.

Are there access restrictions?

Some grouse moors restrict access during shooting season (August 12 onwards). Check locally. Coast path unaffected.

Can dogs go on the steam railway?

Yes, dogs welcome on North Yorkshire Moors Railway. Great way to access walks.

How does it compare to the Dales?

Different character. Moors are heather moorland; Dales are limestone valleys. Both excellent for dogs.

Are the coastal villages dog-friendly?

Very. Robin Hood's Bay, Staithes, Runswick Bay all excellent. Beaches generally dog-friendly.

Purple Moors Await

The North York Moors deliver wild moorland walking, dramatic coastline, and traditional Yorkshire character. Whether crossing heather-clad moors or exploring fishing villages, this national park provides excellent dog-friendly adventures.

Luke explores the North York Moors with Charlie, Buster, Ember, Simba, Max, and Molly. The pack has discovered that August heather, coastal village explorations, and steam railway adventures make the Moors a favourite Yorkshire destination.