Newton Dale, North York Moors UK

• 4-star hike
• 5 mile trail
• Moderate | Gain 200m (660ft)
• Levisham, UK | North Yorkshire
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A stone ruin with arched openings, situated on a grassy hilltop. Below, a winding railway cuts through lush, rolling hills under a clear sky.

Skelton Tower, overlooking Newton Dale.

Explore the tranquil side of the North York Moors National Park with this scenic loop starting from the picturesque village of Levisham. The route leads through farmland and leads to the historic Skelton Tower, a two-century-old ruin offering stunning views over Newton Dale. The return journey descends into the valley, crossing the tracks of the North Yorkshire Moors Railway, where you might catch a glimpse of a restored steam locomotive in action.

Along the way, you’ll pass the preserved Levisham railway station, which is served by several daily trains and features a small building with exhibits showcasing the efforts to maintain the railway’s charm. The display includes behind-the-scenes photos from various television and movie productions, including a recent Mission Impossible film, highlighting the railway’s spectacular landscape as both subject and backdrop.

Trail Options Expand KML · Google Earth ·

⬤ 4★ Newton Dale & Levisham 4.6 mi loop, moderate, gain 200m (660ft)
AllTrails · GPX File · Directions GPX?

Our map highlights several free parking spots around the route, with paid parking also available at Levisham Station. Accessing the area by car involves navigating a narrow, paved country road. Alternatively, you can combine this hike with the Hole of Horcum hike, starting from the Saltergate parking area on the busy A169 road to Whitby. This alternative trailhead is also served by the Coastliner 840 double-decker public bus, known as Britain's most scenic bus route, serving Leeds, York, Pickering and Whitby among other destinations.

a large round hay bale in the foreground, with several more scattered across a vast field under a partly cloudy sky.

Fields between Levisham and Newton Dale.

A black steam locomotive numbered 80136, pulling yellow and cream passenger carriages through a lush green forest under a partly cloudy sky.

A steam encounter at North Yorkshire Moors Railway tracks.

a railway station named “Levisham” with multiple tracks, a signal box, and a small brick station building. The platform has benches and a red name sign. The area is surrounded by lush greenery under a partly cloudy sky.

Levisham Station is a distance from the village.

foxglove flowers and lush green ferns in the foreground. A pathway cuts through the vegetation, leading to rolling hills with patches of trees and open fields under a partly cloudy sky.

Great views walking back up to Levisham village.

Tangents:
• External Link: North Yorkshire Moors Railway
• Facebook Group: Comment on this article
• Public Maps at AllTrails: Levisham & Newton Dale

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