A steam train traveling through a scenic landscape with green fields and dense trees, under a clear blue sky.
View of a coastal town with red-roofed houses, stone steps, and a sunrise over the harbor.
Quaint village scene with stone houses and red-tiled roofs, a narrow stream, green lawns, and a church tower in the background under a blue sky with clouds.
Scenic landscape with rolling hills, dense green forests, and purple heather under a partly cloudy sky.
Ruins of a Gothic abbey on a hill with blue sky and grassland, reflected in a nearby pond.
A scenic landscape with rolling green hills, purple heather in the foreground, and a partly cloudy sky overhead.
People using telescopes in a red-lit observatory at night
Starry night sky with Milky Way over horizon and clouds

North York Moors National Park – Guided Walking Trips

Welcome to Large Outdoors, your friendly and sociable walking group specialising in guided walking holidays, weekends and short breaks, and car-free trips across the UK. The North York Moors National Park is our home landscape, and we’re proud to support it as an official North York Moors National Park Champion as well as a recognised Walking Friendly business.

This unique area is known for sweeping heather moorland, hidden valleys, ancient woodland, and one of the most dramatic coastlines in England. Whether you're joining us for a relaxed coastal day, a small-group walking break, or a midweek escape, we offer friendly and down-to-earth trips led by local guides who know the moors inside out.

A walking group on Sutton Bank in the North York Moors

Why Explore the North York Moors with Large Outdoors

The North York Moors offer an incredible mix of open moorland, secluded dales, ruined abbeys, coastal paths, and some of the most characterful villages in the country. With more than 1,400 miles of trails, our guides help you explore the areas most people miss — the tucked-away bridleways, the quiet woodland tracks, and the corners around Whitby, Rievaulx, and the high moors that reveal a different view every time.

Our trips in this National Park are sociable, welcoming, and aimed at adults who enjoy good company and walking at a steady, enjoyable pace. We focus on down-to-earth experiences, small groups, expert local knowledge, and making it easy for anyone travelling alone or without a car.

Our upcoming guided walking trips in the North York Moors

Walking group in the North York Moors on Stargazing and Walking weekend

Walking in the North York Moors: What Makes This Landscape Special

The National Park is famous for its vast heather moorland — one of the largest continuous areas of upland heather in England. In late summer the moors turn vivid shades of purple and pink, offering an unmistakable backdrop to many of our routes.

Beyond the high moorland, the landscape shifts dramatically into green valleys, ancient woodland, ruined abbeys, old mineral railway lines, and quiet villages such as Hutton-le-Hole, Levisham, and Rosedale. The coast is equally striking, with cliff-top paths, seabird colonies, smugglers' coves, and the winding alleyways of Whitby and Robin Hood’s Bay.

Throughout our trips, we focus on showing you the area’s varied character — coastal, moorland, valley, and woodland routes all run within a short distance of each other.

Latest News, Blogs and North York Moors Galleries:

A curlew stood on a rock near Danby in the North York Moors

Wildlife and Seasonal Highlights

The North York Moors change noticeably with the seasons. Spring brings curlews calling across the moors, bluebells in the woods, and seabirds returning to the cliffs. Summer brings butterflies, wildflowers, and the heather bloom that stretches for miles. Autumn offers woodland colour, migrating birds along the coast, and quieter paths. Winter offers clear views, peaceful trails, and a chance to enjoy the moors without the crowds.

Our guides weave these seasonal shifts into the walks, helping you notice more of what makes this National Park so distinctive.

Pic: Colin Carter, Curlew at Danby, North York Moors

The North York Moors with heather in bloom

Hire a Guide – Private Walking Days in the North York Moors

Alongside our group walking breaks, we also offer private guiding in the North York Moors. These bespoke days are perfect for individuals, small groups, families, or corporate teams looking to explore the area with a local expert.

We can offer:

  • Moorland and valley walks customised to your experience level

  • Coastal days around Whitby, Ravenscar, and Robin Hood’s Bay

  • Cultural and historical days exploring Rievaulx Abbey, Helmsley, or the old rail trails

  • Car-free days out with pick-up from York and onward transport

Your guide will create a relaxed and enjoyable day with a route tailored to your interests — perfect if you’re visiting the area for the first time or want to make the most of limited time.

Proud to Support the North York Moors

As a North York Moors National Park Champion, we’re committed to supporting the landscape, local communities, and sustainable tourism across the region. We’re also recognised as a Walking Friendly business, meaning our trips and services meet standards set by the National Park for walkers needing local knowledge, support, and reliable information.

You can read more here:
https://www.northyorkmoors.org.uk/tourism/champions
https://www.northyorkmoors.org.uk/things-to-do/walking/walking-friendly

Where are the North York Moors?

The National Park sits in North Yorkshire, just north of the city of York. It stretches from the Vale of York to the North Sea, covering moorland, coast, and rolling farmland. With good rail links into places like Scarborough, Whitby, Malton, and York, the moors are easy to reach — and many of our trips are ideal for those travelling by train.