Pickering Walking Weekend: Discover the North York Moors
Join us for a sociable walking weekend based in Pickering, exploring the stunning North York Moors. With guided walks through moorland ridges, charming villages, and wooded valleys, plus hotel accommodation with single rooms, this is the perfect escape to enjoy the beauty of the national park.
Experience Type: Multi-Day Experience
Duration: 2 nights
Accommodation: Hotel
Transport: Car-Free Experience
Group Size: Maximum 8
Level: Leisurely
Age: 18+
Dogs: No dogs, except trained assistance dogs
In a Nutshell:
Walking in the North York Moors: Explore moorland ridges, wooded valleys, and charming villages on guided walks.
Car-Free Convenience: Free pick-up from Malton train station makes it easy to join us without driving.
Hotel Comfort: Stay in a hotel offering single rooms for privacy and relaxation.
Sociable Dinners: Enjoy group meals in local restaurants, perfect for unwinding after a day’s walking.
Book today…
Car-Free Walking Weekend: Discover the North York Moors
Discover the beauty of the North York Moors National Park on this sociable walking weekend, based in the charming market town of Pickering. Known as the gateway to the Moors, Pickering is steeped in history, with its medieval castle, heritage railway, and a delightful selection of independent shops, cafes, and pubs. Our hotel, offering all single rooms, provides a comfortable base for exploring this captivating area.
Enjoying a winters walk from Hutton-le-Hole in the North York Moors
The North York Moors is a walker’s paradise, celebrated for its vast open skies, heather-clad moorlands, secluded wooded valleys, and picture-perfect villages. This weekend’s guided walks will showcase the best of the region, from the industrial heritage and sweeping views of Rosedale Abbey to the peaceful charm of villages like Lastingham and Hutton-le-Hole.
With no need for a car, this trip offers a relaxed, hassle-free way to enjoy a weekend of walking, sociable dinners, and plenty of opportunities to immerse yourself in the unique character of the North York Moors. Whether you’re drawn to the landscape’s natural beauty, its fascinating history, or simply a weekend of good company and exploration, this trip promises to deliver.
Exploring the North York Moors on a walking weekend.
Suggested Itinerary
Here’s what we’ve got planned - of course, we may have to offer alternatives or make amendments if the weather misbehaves or other unexpected situations arise!
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You’re welcome to check in at the hotel from 3pm and settle in before the weekend begins. For those arriving by train, we offer a free collection from Malton train station at 6pm. At 6:30pm, meet your guide in the hotel bar for introductions, followed by a sociable dinner in Pickering.
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After breakfast, we head out to Rosedale Abbey for a stunning 10-mile (16km) walk that captures the essence of the North York Moors. Starting in the picturesque village, we’ll cross fields before ascending Chimney Bank, the day’s only steep climb.
At the top, we join the old railway line that loops around the valley ridge, offering panoramic views and insights into the area’s ironstone mining history. From miners’ houses to the impressive kilns at Bank Top, this walk is rich in stories and scenery.
There are two tearooms along the route, including Dale Head Farm Tea Garden and Graze on the Green, which we may visit depending on the group’s preference and timing.
Return to Pickering in the late afternoon to freshen up before heading out for dinner in town.
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On our final day, we explore another beautiful part of the National Park with a shorter walk through areas such as Appleton-le-Moors, the Tabular Hills, Lastingham, or Hutton-le-Hole. These villages and landscapes offer a charming mix of history, nature, and scenic beauty.
We aim to wrap up by early afternoon with the chance for a pub lunch or a brew, before saying our goodbyes and parting company.
Heather blossom in the North York Moors
Essential Information
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Meeting Time: Check-in from 15:00.
The Large Outdoors host will meet you in the bar from 18:30.
Meeting Location:
Premier Inn,
40 Thornton Road,
Pickering
YO18 7HZParking: Parking is available at the hotel.
Train Station Collection: We will be offering a collection from Malton Station at 18:00. This can be booked during the checkout process or by contacting the Large Outdoors office This must be booked at least 48 hours in advance.
Finish Time: We aim to finish on the final day between 1pm and 3pm - the exact finish time may depend on the planned/chosen activity, group dynamic, weather conditions, whether the group chooses to grab a coffee or lunch together during/after, etc. If you’ve travelled via public transport, please ensure you book onward travel accordingly (i.e. an open return ticket), to allow for flexibility.
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We will be based from the Premier Inn in Pickering.
Accommodation Address:
Premier Inn,
40 Thornton Road,
Pickering
YO18 7HZRoom Types:
Single Rooms (en-suite bathroom) are for one participant and have a king-sized double bed.
Double Rooms (en-suite bathroom) sleep up to two participants booking together, in a king-sized Double bed. -
Included:
2 nights’ accommodation at the Premier Inn in Pickering.
Pickup and return from and back to Malton Train Station - see the Meeting Location & Time section above (optional).
Travel from the accommodation to activity start points and back, where they don’t start from the door.
A hearty cooked breakfast each morning, prepared by the accommodation.
A Large Outdoors host/guide to welcome you, deal with meal preparation and the logistics for your experience.
Guided walks on three days (Days 2 & 3) .
The chance to make new friends and meet like-minded people - Large Outdoors is all about making outdoor adventures sociable.
Pre-event support from the Large Outdoors team - give us a shout if there’s any advice or information you need and check out our Blog for useful articles too.
Not included:
Travel to and from the meeting location or train station collection.
Dinner on each evening - we’ll book a table at a local pub to enjoy dinner as a group and you can purchase whatever you fancy from the menu available.
Packed lunches - we will head to a local shop so you can purchase your own lunch prior to the walk.
Any extra (i.e. not mentioned above in ‘Included’) excursions or activities that you may partake in which incur a cost.
Alcoholic drinks - please feel free to bring something with you to enjoy at the accommodation. There are also a couple of pubs in the village for a post-walk pint or two!
Any food, drinks or goods you choose to purchase at any shops, restaurant, pubs or cafés visited.
Travel/activity insurance - we recommend having insurance to cover, at a minimum: cancellation and curtailment; medical and emergency expenses (including repatriation); personal accident; injury and death.
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Please see our Residential (Walking) Kit List.
The compulsory items are selected for your safety, which is of paramount importance to us at Large Outdoors. Each participant should have the items listed.
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What level of fitness is needed?
This trip is rated ‘Leisurely’. The longest walk will be around 15km at a sociable pace, and the landscape is very flat.Can I attend on my own?
Absolutely! In fact, the majority of our attendees are solo travellers.When should I arrive?
You are welcome to arrive from 5pm onwards on Friday evening. Dinner will be served at the accommodation at around 8pm. If you intend to arrive after 10pm, please let us know.I’d prefer vegetarian or vegan meals - can this be arranged?
Yes, absolutely! We will always supply a vegetarian or vegan meal, but please note this must be requested well ahead of the trip - the remote location of our accommodation means we can’t pop out to buy additional ingredients. Complete the dietary section during the booking process and if your dietary needs change ahead of the trip please email the office and we’ll update your booking.I’d prefer gluten-free meals - can this be arranged?
We will provide meals using gluten-free ingredients, but due to the shared nature of the kitchen we cannot provide strictly gluten-free meals. Please let us know you’d like gluten-free ingredients ahead of time by completing the dietary section during the booking process.I am allergic to a specific ingredient - can you provide meals for me?
Due to the shared nature of the kitchen we are unable to provide meals suitable for those suffering from many allergies. Please contact the office before booking to discuss your requirements.What transport is provided during this trip?
We do not provide transportation during this trip.Can I bring my dog?
Dogs are not allowed on this trip, except for registered assistance dogs.
This map is provided for guidance regarding the general location. For detailed meeting information, please refer to the 'Meeting Time & Location' section.
Walking in the North York Moors National Park
The North York Moors National Park is a unique and captivating destination for walkers, offering a diverse landscape of dramatic moorlands, peaceful valleys, and picturesque villages. Covering over 550 square miles, this cherished region of Yorkshire is defined by its vast heather-clad plateaus, crisscrossed by an extensive network of footpaths and trails that provide endless opportunities to explore on foot.
The North York Moors near Levisham
One of the most distinctive features of the North York Moors is its sweeping moorland, particularly striking in late summer when the heather blooms, turning the landscape into a vibrant sea of purple. These open spaces are complemented by ancient wooded valleys, known locally as ‘dales,’ which are rich in wildlife and history, providing a peaceful contrast to the exposed ridges above.
The area is also steeped in heritage, from the ruins of Rievaulx Abbey to the Victorian railway tracks repurposed for scenic walking routes. Villages such as Rosedale Abbey, Lastingham, and Hutton-le-Hole add to the charm, with their traditional stone cottages, quaint tearooms, and local pubs welcoming weary walkers.
Whether you’re exploring the undulating Tabular Hills, tracing the old ironstone mining paths, or enjoying panoramic views from Chimney Bank, walking in the North York Moors offers a perfect blend of natural beauty, tranquillity, and fascinating stories from the past. It’s a region that truly stands out for its distinctive character, making it an unforgettable destination for any walking enthusiast.