After being stuck indoors due to recent events, you are probably too eager to get on your hiking boots and explore the great outdoors. When it comes to this, Yorkshire is the best place! The Yorkshire Dales is famous for its outstanding scenery and breathtakingly peaceful atmosphere, so it’s no wonder why it’s a favourite spot for those who love nature.
If you’re heading to Yorkshire, here are some of the best things to do on an outdoor holiday.
- Visit a Beach
Yorkshire is blessed with many beautiful beaches. This part of England’s coastline is famous for its numerous water sports. It’s also a wonderful place to learn how to surf.
Whitby Beach is an ideal spot for surfing. At the end of the beach, you’ll find the village of Sandsend, which is a joy to explore. Meanwhile, South Bay Beach is famous for its classic seaside appeal, home to excellent seafood restaurants. The South is also home to Scarborough’s harbour, where you’ll find an assortment of recreational boats.
The Sandsend Beach is also worth a visit. Sitting in front of a charming seaside village of the same name, its soft and sandy seafront is lined with beachfront cafes and small guesthouses. Since there are no big hotels and resorts, the beach is not too crowded. If you’re coming to Yorkshire with the kids, take them to Filey Beach. This family-friendly beach has a long stretch of golden sand surrounded by picturesque views, a perfect place to enjoy quality time with the family.
- Go Camping
The Yorkshire countryside is absolutely stunning with its hidden valleys and scenic rolling hills. For an unforgettable outdoor holiday in Yorkshire, why not go camping? In Yorkshire there is some of the best camping sites in Northeast England. It’s a fantastic way to explore the outdoors and sleep in nature.
If you prefer to experience a more glamorous way of camping, why don’t you go glamping? You’ll still be sleeping in nature but a furnished tent, complete with comfy beds and other amenities. Check out Camp Katur, which offers a variety of outdoor accommodation options, including cabins and yurts. While staying at this campsite, you’ll also have plenty of opportunities to take up fun activities, such as quad biking and water zorbing.
On the North Yorkshire coast, you’ll find some fabulous Yorkshire glamping sites, luxury camping sites that can accommodate more than 250 pitches. One great example is in Scarborough, it’s located close to the Dalby Forest, a great spot to enjoy a scenic walk. Scarborough is an ideal base for exploring the northern part of Yorkshire.
- Bike Through a Forest
Yorkshire is a wonderful place to cycle, offering scenic routes for bikers of all levels. In fact, biking is a wonderful way to explore the Yorkshire Dales. Regardless of which route you’ll take – you will be rewarded with the best views of nature.
At the southern slopes of the North York Moors National Park, you’ll find the Dalby Forest, a wonderful place to enjoy a bike ride through the forest. It also has numerous walking trails, perfect for those who prefer to hike instead of riding a bike. The landscape here is varied, which makes the experience even more exciting.
If you’re taking your kids on a cycling adventure, head to the Upper Don & Dove Valley trails, one of the most family-friendly cycling trails in Yorkshire Dales, where you and your kids can enjoy coastal hiking, horse riding, and, of course, cycling. The route is best explored starting at the market town of Penistone, where you can head east into the Dove Valley Trail, which has some family-friendly attractions, such as the Wentworth Castle Gardens and Wigfield Petting Farm.
- Hike Through the North Yorkshire Moors
The North York Moors National Park is one of Yorkshire’s most popular attractions, especially for those who love to hike. It encompasses more than a thousand miles of public footpaths, passing through the sweeping coastline and vast moorland. The park is a wonderful place to visit for those looking to explore moorland and soak up the beautiful scenery in Yorkshire.
While it’s possible to explore on your own, you can also choose to join a guided walking tour. It’s a wonderful way to meet new friends who share your passion for exploring the great outdoors. On your guided walking tour of the North Yorkshire Moors, you will be with a local expert who will share some interesting stories about the park as you walk along its trails.
The North York Moors National Park is vast that you may need to spend several days in Yorkshire to experience everything it offers. You will find plenty of accommodation options in Yorkshire, so there’s no need to worry about finding a suitable place to sleep should you decide to stay longer. Consider staying at one of the iconic cottages in Yorkshire. Some of these cottages are close to the North Yorkshire Moors, giving you easy access to the park.
- Climb the Yorkshire 3 Peaks
Why don’t you sign up for the Three Peaks Challenge if you want to experience a more challenging adventure in Yorkshire? The challenge will require conquering Pen-y-Ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough peaks in less than 12 hours. They are among the most popular hills within the Yorkshire Dales National Park and are visited by thousands of climbers each year who want to conquer all three peaks in one go. Joining this adventure is an exciting way to spend a full day in Yorkshire.
You can go on a self-organised tour or as part of an organised event if you want to take part in the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge. The challenge will start at Pen-y-Ghent, the lowest of all Three Peaks. It’s 694 metres tall with decent paths and great scenery.
Next, you’ll climb the Whernside, a mountain of about 736 metres tall. It’s the highest of all Three Peaks and can be climbed for around six hours. Finally, you’ll climb Ingleborough. At 723 metres tall, it’s the second tallest among the Three Peaks and can be conquered for about three hours.