13k Run Kirkbymoorside: Scenic Loop Through the Moors

Route Overview & Local Insights

This 13.2km loop offers a quintessential North York Moors running experience, blending rolling hills with a balanced mix of paved lanes and scenic off-road tracks. With roughly 111 meters of ascent, the route presents a steady challenge that will get your heart rate up without being punishing, making it an excellent choice for a long weekend tempo run. Runners will enjoy the varied terrain as they transition from the historic streets of Kirkbymoorside into the sheltered woodlands of Kirkdale and through the quiet, picturesque hamlets of Fadmoor and Gillamoor. The descent back into the "gateway" town provides a fast finish with rewarding views over the Vale of Pickering.

Steeped in local history, this route passes through the legendary Kirkdale, home to St Gregory’s Minster, an Anglo-Saxon church famous for its 11th-century sundial. The area gained international fame in the 1820s when Kirkdale Cave was discovered to contain the prehistoric remains of hyenas, hippos, and elephants, proving these tropical species once roamed Yorkshire. As you pass through Gillamoor, take a momentary glance at "Surprise View," where the vista opens up into Farndale, often called the "Daffodil Valley." Running through this landscape feels like moving through a living museum, where ancient trackways and dry-stone walls define the rugged beauty of the Ryedale district.