The Adventure
Your evening begins at Clay Bank Car Park, where you'll meet your guide and fellow night walkers between 18:30 and 18:45. From there, the group ascends gently up onto Urra Moor. By torchlight, your guide will introduce you to the eerie beauty of boundary stones, trickling watercourses, and ghostly traces of old industrial structures such as the long-abandoned railway line.
The moor is part of a designated Dark Sky Reserve, meaning night-time here can be extraordinary. With a bit of luck and a clear sky, familiar constellations arch across the blackness above — Orion, Cassiopeia, or even the Milky Way when conditions allow. On cloudier evenings, the experience is no less magical; you’ll discover how darkness changes the way you move, listen, and connect with the land.
This isn’t about racing to cover miles. Instead, it’s a chance to explore quietly, safely, and reflectively. Walking as a small group, supported by an experienced local guide, you’ll end the evening with practical night-hiking know-how and a renewed appreciation for the stillness of the Moors.
By around 22:00 the group will return to the starting point, ready to head home or warm up with a well-earned nightcap nearby.
Who Is It For?
This evening adventure is perfect for beginners or anyone curious about experiencing the outdoors in a new way. You don’t need to be a seasoned hiker, but you should feel comfortable walking 8–10km at a steady pace with some ascent. It’s particularly suited to:
People new to hiking or looking to add darkness to their adventures
Hillwalkers keen to build confidence in night navigation and night hiking.
Nature-lovers and photographers drawn to the North York Moors’ Dark Sky Reserve status.
Anyone looking for a short but memorable escape into wild landscapes without committing to a full weekend away.
Whether you come alone or with friends, you’ll finish with practical skills, fresh confidence for night-time adventures, and a deeper sense of connection to the ancient landscapes of the Moors.
Trip Itinerary
-
Meet your guide and group at Clay Bank Car Park at 18:30–18:45. Get kitted up, check headtorches, and set off into the dark.
Ascend gradually onto Urra Moor, the highest point in the North York Moors.
Explore key features of the landscape in the quiet of night: weathered boundary stones, trickling watercourses, and the line of an old railway hidden on the hillside.
Pause regularly to soak up the silence, adjust your night vision, and, weather permitting, look skyward to enjoy constellations in one of the UK’s best stargazing regions.
Continue the loop across the moor, before returning to the starting point around 22:00.
-
The trip starts and finishes at Clay Bank Car Park (Grid Ref: NZ 57203 03475), on the edge of the North York Moors. This location is easy to reach by car and is a popular access point for the western Moors.
By train: The nearest major rail station is Middlesbrough, with connecting services via York and Darlington. From Middlesbrough, local buses run to Great Broughton; Clay Bank is a short taxi ride away.
By car: Clay Bank Car Park is just off the B1257 and approximately 45 minutes from Middlesbrough, or 35 minutes from Northallerton (via A19/A172 and local roads). Free parking is available.
By air: Newcastle and Leeds Bradford airports both offer convenient access; onward travel via car or rail/bus via Middlesbrough.
-
Group size: Small groups of up to 12, keeping things friendly and personal.
Guides: Local expert who know Urra Moor and the North York Moors intimately.
Fitness: Steady walking for 8–10km, with plenty of breaks. No prior night hiking experience required, just the ability to walk comfortably for a few hours.
Flexibility: Route may be adapted to weather and group ability, ensuring an enjoyable and safe experience for all.
Why Book with the GBAC?
Adventure, Authentically Delivered
Every journey with GBAC is led by passionate outdoor leaders who design their own adventures—trips as unique and inspiring as the guides themselves. Expect one-of-a-kind experiences that dive deeper, excite the senses, and promise memories no ordinary itinerary can match.
The UK’s Most Trusted Guide Network
Join the adventure community built by outdoor lovers, for outdoor lovers. With one of the largest guide networks in the UK, there’s always support, if a guide is unwell, your trip goes ahead with someone just as qualified and enthusiastic.
Create Unforgettable Memories
Our trips are crafted to leave a lasting mark—whether it’s summiting a new peak, discovering hidden wild places, or simply sharing laughter around the campfire. With GBAC, every adventure becomes a story worth telling, and the moments you share become lifelong memories.
Safety and Peace of Mind
Our guides are handpicked, fully insured, and qualified. Every one of them holds an enhanced DBS check and meets strict GBAC standards, so you can relax knowing your adventure is in safe, expert hands.
Feel-Good Booking, Fair Pay, Real Impact
GBAC guides and outdoor leaders are valued and fairly rewarded. We pay better by taking only a commission—helping expert guides earn more and focus on the experience, not just the job. Every adventure booked helps sustain a thriving, passionate community of outdoor leaders.
Small Groups, Big Adventures
Our trips aren’t crowded. Smaller groups mean a friendlier, more personal atmosphere—letting journeys unfold naturally, stories get shared, and every moment feel memorable.
Ready to create unforgettable memories in the wild? Choose GBAC—where every booking powers a more passionate outdoors, one unique journey at a time
Kit List
-
Clothing & footwear
Walking boots (broken in — not fresh out of the box)
Walking poles with snow baskets (recommended, but optional)
5 pairs of socks (1 for walking, 1 spare)
Waterproof jacket & trousers
Gaiters (optional but useful)
Appropriate clothing for a day in the hills
Hat & gloves (even in summer)
Sunglasses & sunhat
Backpack & kit
20L+ backpack, suitable for hillwalking, with a waterproof cover
Sitting pad (optional, but keeps your bum dry)
1.5L of water
Food & drink
Sufficient food for an active evening (inlcude some snacks!)
Safety & essentials
Personal first aid kit (your guide will carry a kit, but bring your own for blisters & small scrapes)
Foil survival blanket (tiny and light)
Whistle
Head torch
Personal medication (your guide will ask you for any relevent medical information prior to your departure)
Miscellaneous
Mobile phone
Debit/credit card
A bit of cash (just in case)
Insect repellent
Don’t worry, your guide will email you the above in advance of your trip, including links to recommended products, so you can get set up as easily (and cheaply!) as possible.
About your Guide
Alex - Mountain Leader
Growing up in Yorkshire, Alex first discovered the fells during university camping trips, where long days on the hills and nights under canvas gave him a lifelong taste for adventure. That early spark has guided him ever since.
After more than two decades working as a teacher, Alex chose to swap the classroom for the open countryside and commit to his passion for the outdoors. As a Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Manager, he has spent years leading and inspiring people of all ages to find their own joy in wild places — from windswept ridges and hidden valleys to quiet moments around a campfire.
Now a qualified Mountain Leader, Alex is dedicated to sharing the freedom, challenge and restorative power of being outside. Whether it’s a tough climb, a steady walk, or simply pausing to soak up the view, his calm encouragement and depth of experience make every journey safe, rewarding, and memorable.
Got Questions?
Feel free to contact us with any and all questions. We always aim to reply within 24 hours.
