Four Waterfall Walks in North Yorkshire
From waterfalls hidden deep in woodland to one that tumbles almost onto the beach, there are some beautiful waterfall walks within easy reach of The Lodge.
These are four of our favourites, all around 35 minutes or less from Burniston and easily combined with a pub, a picnic or a longer walk through the North York Moors.
Hayburn Wyke //
Best for // coast + woodland
Hayburn Wyke is the closest to The Lodge and perhaps our favourite of the four.
Hidden below the cliffs north of Burniston, the waterfall tumbles through woodland before reaching a secluded rocky cove on the Yorkshire Coast. The approach takes you beneath a canopy of trees before opening suddenly onto the beach.
You can make this a short woodland walk from Hayburn Wyke Inn, or do it properly from The Lodge: follow the Cleveland Way north along the coast, stop at the waterfall and pub, then return towards Burniston along the Cinder Track.
Distance // 0.6 miles for the short woodland route
Difficulty // Easy to moderate
From The Lodge // Around 10 minutes by car, or walk from the door
Stop for // Hayburn Wyke Inn
Mallyan Spout //
Best for // classic North York Moors
Just outside Goathland, Mallyan Spout drops into a steep, wooded gorge surrounded by moss-covered rocks and trees.
The waterfall is impressive after rain, but the walk itself is just as much a reason to visit. There are several routes around Goathland, including a circular walk through the woodland and along West Beck.
Make time afterwards for a drink at the Mallyan Spout Hotel, or wander into Goathland itself.
Distance // Around 3 miles / 5 km circular
Time // 1.5–2 hours
Difficulty // Moderate
From The Lodge // Around 35 minutes by car
Stop for // Mallyan Spout Hotel
Thomason Foss //
Best for // a short woodland wander
Near the tiny hamlet of Beck Hole, Thomason Foss is tucked into woodland beside Eller Beck.
It's a much shorter outing than some of the other walks here, making it an easy one to combine with Goathland, the North Yorkshire Moors Railway or Mallyan Spout.
The waterfall is particularly atmospheric after rain, when the surrounding woodland becomes incredibly green.
Distance // Around 0.6 miles return
Time // Around 20 minutes
Difficulty // Easy to moderate
From The Lodge // Around 35 minutes by car
Stop for // Beck Hole
If you're making a day of it, combine Thomason Foss + Mallyan Spout + Goathland rather than making separate trips.
Falling Foss //
Best for // waterfall + tea garden
Falling Foss is one of the most dramatic waterfalls around the North York Moors, dropping through beautiful woodland near Littlebeck.
The shortest approach from May Beck is an easy woodland walk, although there are longer routes if you want to make more of a day of it.
And one of the best bits is waiting beside the falls: Falling Foss Tea Garden, tucked amongst the trees (check opening times).
Distance // Around 0.5 miles from May Beck
Time // Around 10–15 minutes each way
Difficulty // Easy
From The Lodge // Around 30–35 minutes by car
Stop for // Falling Foss Tea Garden
Which waterfall should you choose? //
For the full Yorkshire Coast experience, choose Hayburn Wyke.
For a proper walking afternoon, choose Mallyan Spout.
For something short and quiet, choose Thomason Foss.
And for woodland, waterfall and cake, choose Falling Foss.
Or stay for a few days and do all four.
Stay between the coast + the moors //
The Lodge sits in Burniston on the Yorkshire Coast, perfectly placed between Scarborough, Whitby and the North York Moors.
Walk the Cleveland Way from the village, explore waterfalls and moorland by day, then come back to your own little cabin amongst the trees.
