Rosedale Abbey and the Rosedale Railway Trail
North Yorkshire
Rosedale Abbey sits in a steep-sided dale in the North York Moors and this dog friendly circuit climbs out of the village past grazing sheep onto the Rosedale Ironstone Railway, the Victorian mineral line that now contours the moor edge with huge views. The route passes the dramatic calcining kilns and chimneys before dropping back through bracken to the village.
Dogs can go off lead along most of the old railway once you are up and above the pasture, where livestock is limited and the path is clear. Lead up through the fields near the village, at the stone stiles, and anywhere sheep are visible on the moor. The climb out of Rosedale Abbey is steep for twenty minutes but the rest is flat and forgiving. Underfoot is firm cinder track on the railway, grass and stone in the fields, with a couple of bigger dogs needing a lift over old ladder stiles. Parking is around the village green with toilets on the main road, and the Coach House and Milburn Arms both welcome dogs.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 11.0 km (6.8 miles)
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Duration
- 4 hr
- Walk Type
- Moorland, Historic
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- High
- Livestock Risk
- Moderate
- Facilities
- Public toilets in Rosedale Abbey; dog friendly pubs and a cafe on the village green.
- Parking
- Free parking on and around the village green (park considerately); overflow pay and display at Bank Top (YO18 8SE).
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Rosedale Abbey and the Rosedale Railway Trail dog friendly?
Yes, this is a great walk for dogs, earning a solid 7.5 out of 10 on our dog friendly rating. The route follows the old Rosedale Ironstone Railway along the moor edge, offering wide open space and fantastic views. Back in the village, both the Coach House and Milburn Arms welcome dogs, and there are public toilets on the main road.
Can dogs be off lead at Rosedale Abbey and the Rosedale Railway Trail?
Once you've climbed up out of the village and onto the old railway line, dogs can generally go off lead along most of the cinder track where livestock is limited and the path is clear. You'll need to keep them on the lead through the fields near the village, at the stone stiles, and anywhere sheep are visible on the moor — so a reliable recall is useful here.
What should I know before visiting Rosedale Abbey and the Rosedale Railway Trail with my dog?
The climb out of Rosedale Abbey is steep for about twenty minutes, but once you're up, the old railway track is flat and easy going underfoot — a mix of firm cinder, grass and stone. Be aware that there are old ladder stiles on the route which bigger dogs may need a lift over. Parking is available around the village green (park considerately) or at the pay and display overflow at Bank Top (YO18 8SE).
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