The North York Moors is a National Park that was established in 1952. The moors have one of the largest expanses of heather moorland in Europe and covers an area of almost 1500 square kilometres. The moors are a moorland plateau with a number of deep green dales that contrast deeply heather and bracken moor tops.
The North York Moors are a great place for walkers to visit. There are several long walks available as well as many shorter walks. The "Coast to Coast" walk crosses the moors on its way to Robin Hoods Bay and the Cleveland Way goes round the moors heading west from Helmsley and then to the north, east and south finishing at Filey on the North Sea coast. The Inn Way is a smaller circular walk that covers 89 miles in 6 days and takes in about 30 pubs. The Lyke Wake Walk is a crossing of the North York Moors from Osmotherley to Ravenscar. The walk is about 40 miles and the challenge is to complete the walk in one day! There are also plenty of bridle ways for mountain bikers and also walks that are suitable for those with young children for people with mobility concerns. The "daffodil walk" in Farndale is a very gentle stroll along the River Dove which is partially paved.
The moors are also home to the North York Moors Railway. The train runs from Pickering to Grosmont (where you can change for a train to Whitby).