Hambleton Hillside Mosaic Walk
A 35-mile long-distance walk in the North York Moors and Hambleton region following a trail of handcrafted pottery mosaics laid out by enthusiastic locals. With map, statistics, and GPX route file.
Statistics and Files
Grid Ref: SE 516 830
Distance: 35 miles (56 km)
Time: 13–17 hours
Duration: 2–3 days
Ordnance Survey Explorer Maps (1:25,000):
OL26 North York Moors – Western Area
299 Ripon, Boroughbridge and Easingwold
302 Northallerton and Thirsk
Summary
The ingenuity and creativity of people never cease to amaze. This walk in the Hambleton Hills area of the North York Moors National Park is like a treasure hunt, the treasure being a series of handcrafted tiles set into places on the moors describing aspects of local life, past and present. Similar walks can be found elsewhere, such as this mosaic walk in Nidderdale. The Hambleton Hillside Mosaic Walk is enjoyed on foot along cliff tops, through woodlands, and across villages. Along the route were originally 23 mosaics, though some have unfortunately been lost or taken as trophies.
The circular walk begins from the North York Moors visitor centre at Sutton Bank and visits Whitestone Cliff, Boltby Scar, Sneck Yate, Boltby, Kirkby Knowle, Cowesby, Kepwick, Nether Silton, Borrowby, Knayton, Upsall, Felixkirk, Thirlby, Sutton under Whitestonecliffe, Balk, Bagby, Thirkleby, and Kilburn.