Mallyan Spout, North York Moors UK

• 3 & 4-star hikes
• 2 to 3 mile options
• Medium difficulty | Gain 350 to 430 feet
• Goathland, UK | North Yorkshire
. A person stands on rocks, gazing at a tall, narrow waterfall surrounded by lush greenery in a dense forest.

A person stands on rocks, gazing at a tall, narrow waterfall surrounded by lush greenery in a dense forest.

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Trailspotting Maps:

3★ Mallyan Spout Out & Back
2.0 mi out-and-back, medium, gain 350ft (110m)
AllTrails · GPX File · Directions

4★ Mallyan Spout & Rail Trail Loop
2.6 mi loop, medium, gain 430ft (130m)
AllTrails · GPX File · Directions

Mallyan Spout is the tallest waterfall in the North York Moors National Park. Flowing into a sheltered gully that ultimately feeds the River Esk, its small but picturesque 60-foot cascade makes for a memorable short hike.

Starting from the moorland village of Goathland where the sheep roam free about the streets, the hike to the falls begins at a large hotel named for this natural feature. Though trail descends gradually down to Wheeldale Back and despite an occasional switchback there are still some brief sections of steep gradient to be wary of. Turning left at the T-junction by the beck and heading upstream into the gully you'll also need to be careful of the slippery rocks as you step over twisted roots on your way to the falls. Thankfully there are plenty of trees and bushes to grab hold of along the route.

After enjoying the charms of Mallyan Spout we offer two ways to continue. Either an out-and-back that returns the way you came, or a looping route that adds an additional half mile of walking and offers additional sights. These include a boardwalk section, pastoral views across fields and hills, and an opportunity to return to Goathland along what was once a horse-drawn railway track bed.

Your author, gazing at the height of Mallyan Spout waterfall.

Note that the hike from the hotel to the waterfall is only a half-mile each way in length, but we've calculated our distances from the parking area in town since that is the location where most visitors will need to begin. Patrons of the hotel, its restaurant and other nearby guesthouses won't need to walk as far to the falls as we've listed on this page. The Mallyan Spout Hotel does serve some great meals by the way, particularly when served with the great views from their beer garden.

Close to the Goathland parking area you'll also find tea rooms, an excellent ice cream shop and proximity to the station of the North Yorkshire Moors Railway heritage rail service, which was the filming location for Harry Potter's Hogsmeade Station. From Goathland we've also described another hike along the original horse-drawn railway that leads to the town of Grosmont, and have linked that below.

The exterior of a traditional stone building with a sign reading Mallyan Spout Hotel featuring an illustration of a waterfall. The building has wooden beams and a sloped roof, surrounded by greenery.

Hike in from the Mallyan Spout Hotel.

A countryside scene with a directional signpost pointing to “GROSMONT,” “GOATHLAND,” and “MALLYAN SPOUT.” Behind the signpost is a two-story stone building with windows, a chimney, and an attic, surrounded by lush green trees and a wooden fence along a grassy path. The sky is partly cloudy.

Join the old rail trail at Incline Cottage.

a wooden gate with several signs and notices attached, part of a fence along a grassy path. In the background, a person in an orange top walks away on the path through a green landscape with trees and open fields under a cloudy sky.

Return to Goathland heading uphill on the old rail trail.

Tangents:
• Public Maps at AllTrails: Mallyan Spout Loop
• Facebook Group: Comment on this article

Trailspotting Nearby
4★ Goathland-Grosmont (3-8 mi) · 4★ Bridestones (1-10 mi) · 4★ Hole of Horcum (5-7 mi) · Show Map