If you love an idyllic country village then Goathland offers the typical North Yorkshire countryside experience with sheep meandering on the roadside, beautiful views and with a pub or two. However, the 2.8-mile circular walk also takes in the most famous waterfall in the North York Moors, Mallyan Spout. 

You start the walk at the car park in Goathland (£3.50 for the day) which is in the centre of the village. This is the most touristy part of the walk, with tearooms, cafes, and the local shop that formed part of the set for the long running drama, Heartbeat. If you were a fan of the series, then you can buy Heartbeat memorabilia here. On the village green you may see vintage vehicles used in the drama series parked here. They make for a great photo opportunity. 

Following the main road as it turns left, being mindful of the many sheep who use the wide grassy verges as their home, you'll come to the southern end of the village. You'll see the Mallyan Spout Hotel on the right hand side of the road. Just before the entrance to the hotel, you will see a path that is signposted to 'Mallyan Spout'. Taking the path down - taking care in wet weather as it can be muddy and there are some steep steps in places. This path will bring you to West Beck. If you turn right here, you can take the path to the waterfall, Mallyan Spout. It is a bit of a scramble across stones to reach the waterfall but it is worth it in order to take in the beautiful gentle waterfall. You can walk underneath it too. 

Once you have admired North York Moors most famous waterfall, you can retrace your steps back alongside the beck. Ignoring the path that you used to come down, continue onwards, taking the boardwalk. This follows alongside the beck for a time, until you come to a gate and begin to walk along an elevated path with fields on your right and a steep wooded slope to the left. You will then descend down again when you reach Beck Hole.

The view of Incline Cottage will greet you as you emerge out of the valley. If you are requiring a quick Yorkshire pint for refreshment then you may wish to take a detour to Birch Hall Inn, which is in Beck Hole. This is probably the North York Moor's smallest pub but it has a couple of benches outside and a beer garden towards back. You can sample a pint of 'Beckwatter' ale brewed by the North Yorkshire Brewing Company that can only be bought here, making it a very special mild ale. You may hear the sounds of the North York Moors Railway chugging along if you are sat out in the back. Should you wish to take this short detour, then turn left at Incline Cottage and follow the signs to Beck Hole. 

Retracing your steps if you visited Beck Hole, turn right at Incline Cottage and follow the path straight up. This is a slow, steady hill that will bring you out onto the road. Follow it to the right and you will return to the village centre where the car park is on the left. 

Walk Stats:

Difficulty – Easy

Great for – Families, Couples, Waterfalls, Countryside

Length – Under 3 miles

Time – Approx 1.5 hours

Start/Finish – Goathland Car Park

Refreshments – Goathland tearooms, Mallyan Spout Hotel, Birch Hall Inn (Beck Hole)