Blakey Ridge and the Lion Inn Circular
North Yorkshire
The Lion Inn sits at 1,325 feet on Blakey Ridge, the high spine of the North York Moors, and this dog friendly loop heads out across the heather plateau before dropping via Hill Farm into Farndale's head and climbing back up to the pub. Views stretch to the coast on a clear day and the purple heather in August is unforgettable.
Dogs can run on the open moor for much of the loop: the old Ironstone Railway trackbed and the ridge paths are broad and stock-free in places. Lead up around Hill Farm and wherever sheep are visible on the in-bye fields, and take the last half mile back into the pub on a lead where traffic joins the Castleton road. Underfoot is cinder track, heather path and grassy bridleway, with some muddy rutted bits near Hill Farm. There is plenty of parking at the Lion Inn if you are eating or drinking there, informal lay-bys along the ridge otherwise, and the pub welcomes dogs into the bar and garden.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 12.1 km (7.5 miles)
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Duration
- 4 hr
- Walk Type
- Moorland, Historic
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- High
- Livestock Risk
- Moderate
- Facilities
- The Lion Inn serves food all day and welcomes dogs in the bar and garden; no other facilities on route.
- Parking
- Generous car park at The Lion Inn (use if eating or drinking); lay-by parking along the ridge at SE683989.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Blakey Ridge and the Lion Inn Circular dog friendly?
Yes, this walk earns a solid 8 out of 10 for dog friendliness. The open moorland makes up most of the route, giving dogs plenty of space to roam, and the Lion Inn itself welcomes dogs into both the bar and garden — a lovely bonus at the end of a breezy ridge walk.
Can dogs be off lead at Blakey Ridge and the Lion Inn Circular?
Dogs can enjoy good stretches of off-lead walking across the open moor, particularly along the old Ironstone Railway trackbed and the broader ridge paths where livestock aren't present. You'll need to pop leads on around Hill Farm and wherever sheep are visible on the in-bye fields, and again for the final half mile back to the pub where the route meets the Castleton road.
What should I know before visiting Blakey Ridge and the Lion Inn Circular with my dog?
The underfoot mix of cinder track, heather path and grassy bridleway is generally manageable, though there are some muddy, rutted sections near Hill Farm to be aware of. The route sits at over 1,300 feet on the North York Moors, so it can be exposed in poor weather — worth checking the forecast before you head out. Parking is straightforward: there's a generous car park at the Lion Inn if you're eating or drinking there, or informal lay-by parking along the ridge at SE683989.
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