Before we start, let’s just sort something out. The National Park where you are is called the North York Moors National Park. The preserved railway is called the North Yorkshire Moors Railway. Don’t ask why, it’s just the way it is. OK?
After paying to park (there’s an overflow car park on the left as you enter Grosmont from the North), buy a one-way ticket at the station for Newtondale Halt and make sure you tell the Guard, the driver, the station master, the lady who cleans the loos and the station cat that you want to get off there … it’s a request stop and if you’ve not told anybody, the train will go past it and your walk will be knackered before it even starts.

Enjoy the rail journey as your train drags itself uphill to Goathland and on towards the final destination, Pickering (above). Newtondale Halt is hardly King’s Cross – in fact, it’s a small wooden platform and you have to be sure you’re in the correct section and the right-hand side of the train so you can get out. From the main concourse of the station, go past the toilets, WH Smith, Burger King and the photo booth and take the one and only exit.
Turn sharp left on a good track through the forest and, for half a mile or so, parallel to the railway. Look out for a path to your right that starts to climb virtually in the opposite direction, then curves left as it climbs further through the trees. There are lots of other paths and tracks round here, but make sure you stay on the main one as the climb continues roughly Westwards.
Less than a mile later as the trees on your right suddenly stop, turn right (North) along their edge and head for a narrow gap between two plantations. Follow the path through the gap as it turns slightly right and crosses a couple of open fields heading towards Wardle Green (see map), where you cross the boggy Blawater Beck.
You now need to climb steadily onto the open moor and a map and the ability to read it are pretty useful. Keep heading roughly North towards a tumulus with a trig point on it (260m, just North of Simon Howe). Keep going, and where the path splits, take the right fork and start a slow descent towards the minor road in the distance. When you reach it, turn right and walk along the road for less than half a mile before reaching Moorgates, where you turn left and follow the path of the forerunner of the current railway line, which is just beyond it.
This well-defined path on the old line takes you into Goathland, which will no doubt be heaving with Heartbeat fans wearing purple fleeces, non-waterproof boots and stupid hats.
Avoid them at all costs. Keep your head down in the village and avoid eye contact as you turn left up the main street for a short while, turn right to pass the car park and public loos and rejoin the former railway line as it descends (sometimes steeply) past the school to the North West.
The tiny village of Beck Hole is reached through a couple of gates to the right and if you don’t visit the Birch Hall, you are banned from reading any more of these walks.
The pub is unique, a tiny combination of shop and boozer with more tables outside than in, the food is good, the beer is better. We defy you to have only one drink.
You’ve still got just over two miles to go to return to Grosmont, so don’t leave it too late. But it’s dead easy – just return to the path on the former railway and follow it all the way. There are diversions and alternative routes which might be a bit longer … try them if you fancy them. The whole area is riddled with footpaths, all of them worth a look.
Just before Grosmont you’ll find the NYMR engine sheds that you passed as you started your train journey before the walk – also worth a closer look whether you are a steam railway anorak or not.