Grosmont to Goathland walk on the 'Rail Trail' and back via Mallyan Spout, Darnholm and Beck Hole

Having parked on the roadside just before Grosmont, I then wandered into the Eskdale village.

Approaching the railway station, a popular place in the summer months.

No steam loco's running today.

A right turn after the station and it was onto the 'Rail Trail'

St Matthews Church - All the headstones are smooth and bare with no inscription on any, I wonder if this is the result of weathering and acid rain over the years?

Peaking through the trees down to the engine sheds - Grosmont has a great selection of engines.

There's a Brush 4, and it's got a name - 'North Star'. As a 13 year old, I will have jumped for joy seeing that one - which I did.

The Rail Trail follows the old railway line from Grosmont to Goathland. It's pretty much flat until the slightly higher ground at Goathland.

The path crosses the Murk Esk at a few locations.

The winter sun starts to break through the bare trees in Hollin Garth Woods.

At Beck Hole Rail Station, it's straight on to follow the old railway line to Goathland via the 'incline' - or as I chose to do today, a right turn in the direction of Mallyan Spout.

The path follows by the side of West Beck to the falls.

Time to leave the main path and follow the waters edge for a hundred yards.

And there it is! Mallyan Spout in all it's glory.

Certainly worth making the effort to see the tallest waterfall in the North Yorkshire Moors.

It is a bit slippery, so care should be taken whilst walking across the boulders which form the access route to and from the falls.

After that small detour, it is back to the main path which climbs up to Goathland. There were a few folk puffing and panting on the way, it's a gradual climb for 1/4mile up to the village.

Mallyan Spout Hotel

The peaceful surroundings of Goathland.

It's January, but with the blue skies and sun - it feels like a mild summers day!

After a cup of coffee and a sandwich, I pondered which route to take back to Goathland.

The obvious one would be to follow the old railway line back down the incline towards Beck Hole (past the car park which is just out of sight on the right). That would be the most direct and simplest way. But I've done that many times before, so I decided to head for the station and walk to Darnholm and then back to Beck Hole on the other side of the River Esk.

A bit more ascent I agree, but a different way back for a change.

The village of Grosmont was the setting of the fictional village of Aidensfield in the Heatbeat television series set in the 1960s. Here are a couple of the recognisable landmarks.

Down the bank to Goathland Rail Station.

All quiet - but wait till the summer, it will be a hive of activity.

I love taking my Children and now my Grandchildren here and enjoying standing on top of the footbridge whilst the steam engines pass by underneath. I don't think I'll ever grow up!

Leaving the station behind as I follow the uphill path to Darnholm.

With the rail line to my left, I start a steep, stepped descent.

I did initially cross the bridge, but it's better just to follow the path to the right as it avoids the stepping stones which allow you to ford the Eller Beck without getting your boots wet.

Joining the road and missing the ford, was probably the best idea after the rain we have had lately, it did seem quite deep and fast flowing - but the stepping stones were still sitting proud.

I took this path on the left which led me towards the climb up Hawthorn Hill.

The start of the short climb up Hawthorn Hill.

As the ground levelled, you really began to feel you were in the Moors proper.

Ah, left path or right path?

It doesn't really matter, but I took the left and started a slightly earlier descent.

Arriving at this special little place - Beck Hole and it's Birch Hall Inn.

Recommend you have a beer here if you ever get the chance.

Having reached Beck Hole, the next stage of my journey involved retracing my steps back towards Grosmont. I followed the same route as before, walking along the well-trodden and familiar 'Rail Trail'.