Falling Foss, York Cross and the Hermitage

A 6.4-mile forest and moorland circular of about three hours with 200 metres of climbing, from the waterfall at Falling Foss up to May Beck, round Newton House Plantation to York Cross on Sneaton High Moor, then back over Leas Head to the Hermitage and the coin-studded wishing tree. Park at Midge Hall by Falling Foss, signed off the Whitby to Scarborough road at Red Gate, or at May Beck a mile to the south; the tea garden beside the falls opens April to September, ten until four. Superb for a dog, with the beck alongside most of the wooded sections and forest track to run on, but the moor crossing is boggy after rain and is nesting ground in spring.