Osmotherley is one of the best walking bases on the western edge of the North York Moors, with short reservoir circuits, historic woodland walks and longer routes across the Cleveland Hills.
These six walks cover everything from an easy loop around Cod Beck Reservoir to challenging sections of the Cleveland Way and Lyke Wake Walk.
- Why Hike in Osmotherley?
- 1. Best Day Hike for Families: Cod Beck Reservoir Circuit
- 2. Best Historic Walk from Osmotherley: Mount Grace Priory and Cleveland Way Loop
- 3. Best Half-Day Circular Walk: Scarth Wood Moor and Sheepwash Loop
- 4. Best Village-to-Village Walk: Osmotherley to Swainby Circular Walk
- 5. Best Full Day Hike from Osmotherley: Osmotherley to Carlton Bank
- 6. Best Long-Distance Walk: Lyke Wake Walk – Sheepwash to Clay Bank
- When Is the Best Time to Walk Around Osmotherley?
- What to Bring for Walking Around Osmotherley
- Conclusion
- Where to Next? More Hiking in the UK
Why Hike in Osmotherley?
Osmotherley might look like a sleepy stone village on the edge of the North York Moors, but it also has a secret.
This is one of the finest spots in Yorkshire for walkers who love variety.
Within minutes of the cobbled streets you can be following an ancient ridge path where you’ll be exploring a ruined priory, or otherwise you’ll find yourself gazing across a moor that looks like it has not changed in centuries.
Set on the western fringe of the Moors, Osmotherley is where big views meet small village charm.
If you’re exploring more destinations around the country, these are some of the best hikes in England worth adding to your list.
There is a timeless quality here, regardless of whether you are grabbing a post-hike pint in one of its pubs or striding out across the Hambleton Hills.
What follows is a round-up of six of the best walks from Osmotherley, from family-friendly loops to full-day routes that will leave you happily worn out.
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1. Best Day Hike for Families: Cod Beck Reservoir Circuit
If there was ever a walk that suits everyone from grandparents to energetic kids, the loop around Cod Beck Reservoir is it.
Just a few minutes north of Osmotherley, this easy-going circuit has water views on one side and moorland on the other.
The path is level and straightforward, which means families like your own can enjoy a gentle stroll without worrying about navigation.
For those of you who like a picnic with a view, there are plenty of grassy spots by the reservoir.
Cod Beck Reservoir Circuit Details
- Difficulty: Easy
- Average time: Approx. 45 minutes–1 hour
- Distance: Approx. 3.2 km / 2 miles
- Elevation gain: Approx. 35 m / 115 ft
- Elevation loss: Approx. 35 m / 115 ft
- Route type: Circular
- Start/end: Cod Beck Reservoir car park, near Sheepwash
- Best for: Families, beginners and a short walk near Osmotherley
- Highlights: Cod Beck Reservoir, woodland and easy waterside walking
- Trail highlight: On a still day, reflections across the reservoir make this simple circuit particularly scenic.
2. Best Historic Walk from Osmotherley: Mount Grace Priory and Cleveland Way Loop
FFor a walk that mixes history with classic countryside views, this loop is a real beauty.
Starting from Osmotherley, the route heads towards Mount Grace Priory, a 14th-century Carthusian monastery hidden among the woods below the village.
After visiting the priory area, the route climbs back towards Osmotherley and uses part of the Cleveland Way on the return.
There is also the option of visiting the Lady Chapel, which sits above the surrounding countryside with broad views from the hillside.
It is a relatively short walk, but the woodland paths and several climbs and descents make it feel more substantial than the distance alone suggests.
Mount Grace Priory and Cleveland Way Loop Details
- Difficulty: Easy to moderate
- Average time: Approx. 2 hours walking, longer if visiting the priory
- Distance: Approx. 5 km / 3.1 miles
- Elevation gain: Approx. 164 m / 538 ft
- Elevation loss: Approx. 164 m / 538 ft
- Route type: Circular
- Start/end: Osmotherley Market Cross
- Highest point: Approx. 238 m / 781 ft
- Best for: History, woodland and a shorter circular walk from Osmotherley
- Highlights: Mount Grace Priory, Lady Chapel, woodland and the Cleveland Way
- Trail highlight: Combining the ruins of Mount Grace Priory with the elevated return towards Osmotherley gives this short walk far more variety than its distance suggests.
3. Best Half-Day Circular Walk: Scarth Wood Moor and Sheepwash Loop
For those wanting to explore beyond the reservoir itself, the Scarth Wood Moor loop gives you a much broader look at the countryside north of Osmotherley.
Starting from the Sheepwash car park, the route passes Cod Beck Reservoir before continuing through woodland, farmland and Osmotherley itself.
It then climbs back towards the Cleveland Way and crosses Scarth Wood Moor before returning to Sheepwash.
There are some short climbs, stiles and sections that can become muddy after rain, so this is better treated as a moderate half-day walk than a simple beginner stroll.
Scarth Wood Moor and Sheepwash Loop Details
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Average time: Approx. 3–4 hours
- Distance: Approx. 10.4 km / 6.5 miles
- Elevation gain: Approx. 300 m / 984 ft
- Elevation loss: Approx. 300 m / 984 ft
- Route type: Circular
- Start/end: Scarth Wood Moor car park, also known as Sheepwash
- Best for: A varied half-day circular around Osmotherley
- Highlights: Cod Beck Reservoir, Osmotherley village, woodland and Scarth Wood Moor
- Trail highlight: The transition from the sheltered reservoir and woodland onto open Scarth Wood Moor provides some of the best variety on the route.
More Walking in Yorkshire
If you’re exploring more of Yorkshire on foot, these guides will help you keep building your trip:
- Hiker’s Guide to the North York Moors — plan more walks, trail bases and hiking days across the wider national park.
- Best Circular Walks in Yorkshire — find more loop walks ranging from shorter countryside routes to longer hill days.
- Best Walks in Yorkshire — explore a broader selection of hikes across the county, including the Dales and North York Moors.
4. Best Village-to-Village Walk: Osmotherley to Swainby Circular Walk
If there is a route that feels like a sampler of everything the western edge of the North York Moors has to offer, the walk between Osmotherley and neighbouring Swainby is a good candidate.
Starting in Osmotherley, the outward route follows the Cleveland Way above Arncliffe Wood and towards Scarth Nick before dropping from the higher ground into Swainby.
A pint or a cup of tea there can make for an excellent mid-walk break before the return leg climbs back towards Scarth Nick and heads towards Osmotherley via the Cod Beck Reservoir area.
The result is a varied circular rather than simply walking the same path twice.
Osmotherley to Swainby Circular Walk Details
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Average time: Approx. 3–4 hours
- Distance: Approx. 12.9 km / 8 miles
- Elevation gain: Approx. 330 m / 1,083 ft
- Elevation loss: Approx. 330 m / 1,083 ft
- Route type: Circular
- Start/end: Osmotherley
- Best for: Village-to-village walking and a varied half-day route
- Highlights: Cleveland Way, Scarth Nick, Swainby and Cod Beck Reservoir
- Trail highlight: Dropping from the higher ground into Swainby before returning through the Cod Beck area gives the walk two noticeably different halves.
5. Best Full Day Hike from Osmotherley: Osmotherley to Carlton Bank
This longer section of the Cleveland Way takes the ambition up a notch.
From Osmotherley, the route climbs through the western Cleveland Hills before crossing a succession of open ridges and moorland towards Carlton Bank.
The trail crosses Scarth Wood Moor before descending towards Scugdale Beck and climbing again over Live Moor, Gold Hill and Faceby Bank.
The repeated climbs and drops make the route feel considerably tougher than its highest points might suggest.
The final stretch reaches Carlton Moor before descending towards Lord Stones, where the route finishes.
The views along this section are huge, stretching across the surrounding moors and, in clear conditions, far beyond the Cleveland Hills.
Osmotherley to Carlton Bank Details
- Difficulty: Difficult
- Average time: Approx. 4 hours
- Distance: Approx. 12.1 km / 7.5 miles
- Elevation gain: Approx. 505 m / 1,657 ft
- Elevation loss: Approx. 368 m / 1,207 ft
- Route type: Linear
- Start: Osmotherley
- End: Carlton Bank / Lord Stones
- Highest point: Carlton Moor, approx. 408 m / 1,339 ft
- Best for: A more challenging Cleveland Way section from Osmotherley
- Highlights: Scarth Wood Moor, Live Moor, Carlton Moor and long-distance views
- Trail highlight: The succession of ridges approaching Carlton Bank gives this walk a much bigger hill-walking feel than the modest summit heights might suggest.
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6. Best Long-Distance Walk: Lyke Wake Walk – Sheepwash to Clay Bank
The Lyke Wake Walk is one of the North York Moors’ classic long-distance routes, crossing the national park from near Osmotherley towards the coast at Ravenscar.
Rather than tackling the complete crossing, the western section between Sheepwash and Clay Bank provides a substantial walk in its own right.
Starting near Cod Beck Reservoir, this section heads into the Cleveland Hills and follows high ground across a succession of moors before reaching Clay Bank.
The repeated climbs and descents make the route considerably harder than its distance suggests, with long sections exposed to changing weather.
This is best suited to experienced walkers looking for a demanding day on the western side of the North York Moors.
Lyke Wake Walk: Sheepwash to Clay Bank Details
- Difficulty: Difficult
- Average time: Approx. 5–6 hours
- Distance: Approx. 16 km / 10 miles
- Elevation gain: Approx. 800–900 m / 2,625–2,953 ft
- Elevation loss: Approx. 700–800 m / 2,297–2,625 ft
- Route type: Linear
- Start: Sheepwash car park near Cod Beck Reservoir
- End: Clay Bank
- Best for: Experienced walkers wanting a demanding western moorland section
- Highlights: Cleveland Hills, Carlton Moor, Cringle Moor, Cold Moor and extensive moorland views
- Trail highlight: The repeated ridge climbs across the western Cleveland Hills provide the toughest and most dramatic walking of the six routes.
When Is the Best Time to Walk Around Osmotherley?
Late spring through early autumn generally offers the best walking conditions around Osmotherley, although many of the lower routes can be enjoyed throughout the year.
May to June is one of the best periods for longer walks, with milder temperatures, long daylight hours and greener countryside across the North York Moors.
July and August bring the warmest weather, although popular spots such as Cod Beck Reservoir can be busier. Longer routes across the Cleveland Hills are exposed in places, so carry enough water and sun protection on warmer days.
Late August into September is particularly attractive when the surrounding moorland begins to turn purple with flowering heather.
Autumn and winter can still be rewarding, especially on shorter routes, but expect muddier paths, stronger winds and shorter daylight hours. Check the forecast before tackling exposed sections towards Carlton Bank or Clay Bank.
What to Bring for Walking Around Osmotherley
What you need depends heavily on the route. Cod Beck Reservoir requires little more than comfortable footwear in good conditions, while the longer Cleveland Hills walks need more preparation.
For the longer routes, consider taking:
- Hiking shoes or boots with reliable grip for muddy woodland, moorland and uneven paths
- A lightweight waterproof jacket for the changeable weather of the North York Moors
- A simple layering system for exposed ridges and cooler conditions higher up
- A comfortable daypack for food, spare clothing and other essentials
- Offline maps or reliable navigation, particularly for the longer moorland routes
- Enough water for your route, especially during warmer weather
You can also browse our full collection of hiking buyer guides if you’re building or upgrading your walking kit.
🗒️ Free Checklist: Planning your next hiking trip?? Download our printable hiking checklist to make sure you don’t miss the essentials.
Conclusion
Osmotherley packs a surprising amount of variety into a small corner of the North York Moors.
You can keep things easy with a circuit around Cod Beck Reservoir, add some history at Mount Grace Priory, or head onto the higher ground for longer walks towards Swainby, Carlton Bank and Clay Bank.
That mix of short loops, village walks and more demanding moorland routes makes Osmotherley a particularly good base if you want several very different hiking days without travelling far between trailheads.
Where to Next? More Hiking in the UK
Ready to explore beyond Yorkshire? These guides are a good place to continue:
- Ultimate Guide to Hiking in England — plan a wider hiking trip across England’s national parks, coastlines and countryside.
- Best Hikes in England — discover more standout day hikes and classic walking routes around the country.
- Walking Holiday in England — compare regions and longer walking destinations for a multi-day trip.
- Best Hikes in Scotland — head further north for mountain, glen and coastal walking.
- Walking Holiday in Wales — explore another of the UK’s strongest destinations for long-distance trails and scenic day walks.
