New Footpath at Hole of Horcum

According to local legend, the Hole of Horcum was created by a giant - Wade was his name - who picked up a handful of dirt ("the hole") and threw it at "Bell" - his wife during an argument.

The dirt fell to earth to form Freebrough Hill; another odd geological feature on the edge of the North Yorkshire Moors near Lingdale.

The hole is an example of a "Devil's Punchbowl" feature being about a mile long, half a mile wide and 600 feet deep.

Hole of Horcum on the North York Moors

Geologists rather spoil the legend, however, and suggest the Hole of Horcum was created by a process called spring-sapping.

According to the geological theory, water eminating from the hillside's over thousands of years has gradually undermined the slopes above, eating the rocks away grain by grain.

Through this process of water erosian, an enormous cauldron shaped feature has been created.

And the process still continues today.

Good news for walkers and visitors to the North York Moors is that access to the Hole of Horcum been improved thanks to restoration and drainage work carried out on the main footpath down into the natural amphitheatre.

The path had become badly eroded by the thousands of people visiting the hole over time; making it difficult underfoot and creating a very visible scar on the landscape.

In response, the National Park Authority has created a new footpath that doesn't detract from the unspoilt beauty of the area.

The original line of the path has been landscaped, and the path has now been partly stone pitched to provide a smoother, hard wearing surface.

A gate has also replaced a stile at the top of the bank to provide easier access.

The new path forms part of a 14 kilometer route taking in the Hole of Horcum, Newtondale and the villages of Levisham and Lockton.

Getting There

From Rosedale Abbey, travel to Pickering on the A170.  Turn North towards Whitby on the A169.

Park at the Hole of Horcum car park at OS grid reference SE852937 (Explorer map OL27).