Walking the Bridestones // Dalby Forest
Ancient sandstone, open moorland and miles of forest.
The Bridestones Trail is one of the best shorter walks in Dalby Forest. Hidden among the trees on the edge of the North York Moors, these extraordinary sandstone formations have been shaped by thousands of years of weathering into strange, almost sculptural forms.
It’s a brilliant walk when you want to spend a few hours in the forest without committing to an all-day hike.
The weathered sandstone landscape of the Bridestones, high above the surrounding woodland in Dalby Forest.
Autumn colour beneath the trees in Dalby Forest.
Thousands of years of weathering have created the extraordinary shapes of the Bridestones.
From The Lodge
Dalby Forest is an easy drive inland from The Lodge, taking you away from the Yorkshire Coast and into the southern edge of the North York Moors National Park.
The Bridestones are around a 30-minute drive from Burniston, with the official trail beginning near Staindale Lake in a quieter part of the forest.
It’s a completely different landscape from the coast, despite being so close.
The walk
The trail begins with a fairly steep climb along a forest track before emerging onto more open moorland.
This first section is probably the hardest part of the walk, with some roots, rocks and uneven ground underfoot. Forestry England grades the route as moderate.
Then you reach the Bridestones themselves.
The weathered sandstone formations rise unexpectedly from the landscape, some appearing almost impossibly balanced. Take your time here. It’s one of the loveliest places on the route to stop, explore the rocks and take in the views before continuing around the circular trail.
The route eventually winds back through the forest towards the starting point.
Walk details
Distance // 1.5 miles / 2.4 km
Time // Around 1–1.5 hours
Difficulty // Moderate
Terrain // Forest tracks, roots, rocks + undulating moorland
Start // Bridestones car park, near Staindale Lake
Route // Circular
Parking // Charges apply
The initial climb is fairly steep, so walking shoes or boots are a good idea, particularly after rain.
The Bridestones
The Bridestones are sandstone formations sculpted by thousands of years of weathering. Frost, wind and rain have gradually worn away the softer rock, leaving behind the extraordinary shapes that stand here today.
The surrounding Dalby landscape has an even longer human history, with prehistoric remains including burial mounds, cairns and ancient field systems found across the area.
It’s one of those places where the landscape feels noticeably old.
Make a day of it
The Bridestones walk itself is relatively short, so it’s easy to combine it with more of Dalby Forest.
Head to the Visitor Centre for coffee, choose another of the forest trails or simply take your time driving through the trees and stopping at viewpoints along the way.
Dalby covers more than 8,500 acres, with miles of walking and cycling trails through woodland and across the moors.
For lunch on the way back towards the coast, The Fox & Rabbit Inn at Lockton is also a lovely stop for traditional pub food.
Back at The Lodge
One of the things we love most about staying in Burniston is how quickly the landscape changes.
You can spend the morning beside the sea, disappear into the forest for the afternoon, then return to The Lodge for a long soak in the outdoor bath.
The Yorkshire Coast and North York Moors, all from one little cabin.
