Hole of Horcum, North York Moors UK

• 4-star hikes
• 5 to 7 mile options
• Easy & Moderate | Gain 280-350m (910-1,150ft)
• Saltergate, UK | North Yorkshire
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A wooden gate opens to a rural trail leading into a lush green valley with rolling hills under a partly cloudy sky.

Gate down into the Hole of Horcum valley.

These looping trails offer a variety of terrains and views around the 400 foot bowl shaped valley known as the Hole of Horcum, visible to many from the main road into the popular seaside town of Whitby.

Local mythology suggests that a giant scooped up the earth here and threw it during a spousal quarrel, forming the nearby Blakey Topping (link below) as a result. If you'd prefer to defer to science rather than fairytales, Geologists say that the large depression was actually created by water drainage, though they are clearly unaware of the the phrase 'print the legend'.

Trail Options Expand KML · Google Earth ·

⬤ 4★ Short Loop 5.2 mi loop, easy, gain 280m (910ft)
AllTrails · GPX File · Directions GPX?

⬤ 3★ Long Loop 6.9 mi loop, moderate, gain 350m (1,150ft)
AllTrails · GPX File · Directions

Windswept moorland above leads to green sheep-filled pastures in the valley below, and if you're taking the longer route you can also visit the small village of Levisham and check out the popular Horseshoe pub on the way. The shorter trail definitely captures everything you need to see on this hike however, as aside from visiting Levisham, the longer loop features few additional views and is a much narrower trail that is likely to be overgrown in some areas.

The most accessible trailhead is the contactless paid Saltergate lot on the A169 that we've linked above, and at busy times is also served by an ice cream van. Alternatively on our map we've marked some free parking locations around Levisham which are accessible via a narrow paved country road. The Saltergate trailhead is also served by the Coastliner 840 double-decker public bus, known as Britain's most scenic bus route and serves Leeds, York, Pickering and Whitby among other destinations.

A person walks down a narrow trail through a grassy, hilly landscape under a partly cloudy sky.

On the trail into the valley.

A massive light brown, long-haired Highland cow with prominent horns in a grassy field under a partly cloudy sky. Other similar cows graze in the background.

Making new friends along the trail.

A two-story stone public house featuring ivy on the wall and outdoor seating

Levisham's The Horseshoe; a popular refreshment stop.

A cluster of vibrant pink flowers with white speckled centers, set against green foliage.

Foxgloves adds striking color against the green British hillside.

Two sheep stand on a grassy path in a heathland with low shrubs and patches of purple heather under a partly cloudy sky.

We're too early for August moorland heather blooms.

Tangents:
• Public Maps at AllTrails: Horcum Circular
• Facebook Group: Comment on this article

Trailspotting Nearby
4★ Blakey Topping (3-10 mi) · 4★ Bridestones (1-10 mi) · 4★ Goathland-Grosmont (3-8 mi) · Show Map