Introduction
Falling Foss and Hayburn Wyke offer two very different waterfall experiences on the North Yorkshire coast. Falling Foss is tucked away in woodland on May Beck, while Hayburn Wyke sits in a secluded coastal cove where the waterfall reaches the beach.
The two waterfalls are close enough to combine into one trip, giving you the chance to experience woodland, waterfalls and the Yorkshire coast in the same outing. Falling Foss is the more substantial waterfall, while Hayburn Wyke is much smaller but has the unusual setting of a waterfall flowing towards the sea.
This guide brings the two together into one simple trip, including what to expect at each waterfall, how to travel between them and how to make the most of your time in the area.
Quick Verdict
This is a great option if you’re exploring the North Yorkshire coast and want to see two very different waterfalls without committing to a full day of walking.
Falling Foss is the highlight if you’re looking for a larger waterfall, with its 20-metre drop through the woodland making an impressive sight. Hayburn Wyke is smaller, but its setting is much harder to replicate, with the waterfall, wooded valley, rocky beach and sea all coming together in one place.
I visited both in October and really enjoyed having the contrast between the two. Falling Foss had the beautiful autumn woodland setting, while Hayburn Wyke combined autumn scenery with the coast.
Key Information
- Number of Waterfalls: 2-3
- Total Walking Distance: 1.4 miles/2.2 km
- Total Walking Time: 40 minutes
- Total Trip Time: 3-4 hours
- Starting Point: Forestry England Car Park detailed below
- Parking: Falling Foss – £3.50-£6 Forestry England Car Park | what3words | Hayburn Wyke – £1-£5 Hayburn Wyke Inn Car Park | what3words
- Driving Distance/Time Between Waterfalls: 12 miles/23 minutes
- Public Transport: No public transport to Falling Foss; bus available to Hayburn Beck Farm, approximately 1 mile from Hayburn Wyke
- Difficulty: Easy – Moderate (steep section through woodland at Hayburn Wyke)
- Accessibility: Not suitable for wheelchairs
- Family Friendly: Yes
- Dogs: Yes
- Swimming: Yes
- Toilets: Yes at Falling Foss when facilities are open and at Hayburn Wyke Inn
Falling Foss Waterfall
Falling Foss is the first waterfall on this trip and is the larger of the two. At around 20 metres/66 feet high, it drops through the woodland on May Beck into the rocky gorge below.
The short walk from the car park makes this an easy addition to a day out, and you don’t need to allow a huge amount of time here unless you want to explore further into the surrounding woodland.
When I visited in October, the autumn colours made the woodland particularly attractive and added to the secluded feel of the waterfall. The view from the established viewing area gives you a good perspective of Falling Foss surrounded by trees and greenery.
If you have more time, there are longer walks around Littlebeck Wood, but for this itinerary the short visit to the waterfall works well before moving on to Hayburn Wyke.
If you’d like more detail about the route, parking and what to expect, see my full Falling Foss Waterfall Guide.
Hayburn Wyke Waterfall
Hayburn Wyke provides a complete contrast to Falling Foss. Instead of being surrounded by woodland, this waterfall eventually reaches a rocky beach on the North Yorkshire coast.
There are actually two waterfalls at Hayburn Wyke, although the second can be much less noticeable during drier conditions. When I visited, the waterfall on the right was only a trickle, while the main waterfall was flowing more strongly.
The approach through the woodland builds up to the view of the beach, with the waterfall only becoming visible as you reach the bottom. Once you arrive, you can see the waterfall flowing down towards the rocks with the sea beyond it.
The combination of waterfall, woodland, rocky cove and coastline makes Hayburn Wyke very different from Falling Foss and a worthwhile second stop.
If you’d like more detail about the route, parking and what to expect, see my full Hayburn Wyke Waterfall Guide.
The Route
I recommend visiting Falling Foss first before continuing on to Hayburn Wyke, as the two locations give you a really nice change of scenery throughout the trip. You start among the woodland and streams around Falling Foss before heading towards the coast for the very different landscape of Hayburn Wyke.
Begin at the Falling Foss car park and follow the short route towards the waterfall. The walk is easy and you’ll soon reach the viewpoint, where you can stop and enjoy your first waterfall of the day before returning to the car park.
From Falling Foss, drive towards Hayburn Wyke. The journey takes you through the North Yorkshire countryside before eventually bringing you towards the coast. Once you arrive at Hayburn Wyke, park at the Hayburn Wyke Inn and follow the signs for the waterfall.
The route initially takes you across open countryside before entering the woodland. As you make your way downhill, the trees gradually begin to open up and you’ll catch your first glimpses of the coastline. There is a lovely viewpoint along the way where you can stop and look out across Hayburn Wyke and the sea.
Continue downhill through the woodland, following the path towards the beach. The waterfall remains hidden for much of the walk, so you don’t get the full view until you reach the bottom. Then, as the trees open out and the rocky beach comes into sight, the waterfall suddenly appears ahead of you with the sea beyond it.
Spend some time exploring the beach and enjoying the unusual setting before making your way back up through the woodland to the pub.
Although neither walk is particularly long, allowing plenty of time at each waterfall makes this a really enjoyable half-day outing. You can take your time at both locations, stop for photographs, explore the surrounding scenery and, if you want to make the most of the trip, finish with something to eat or drink at the Hayburn Wyke Inn.
Accessibility: Unfortunately, this route is not suitable for wheelchairs.
Tip: Save the parking location and route directions on your phone, or take a printed copy with you, as phone signal can be spotty.
Swimming
Both waterfalls have water deep enough for a dip, although the experience is quite different at each.
Falling Foss has a deep plunge pool beneath the waterfall, although it is very difficult to reach the bottom with no safe path down so I don’t recommend it, while Hayburn Wyke has a smaller pool beneath the falls which is more suited to a dip than a longer swim.
If you want to include a swim, Hayburn Wyke also gives you the added option of exploring the beach and coastline around the waterfall. Just remember that the appearance of the cove changes considerably with the tide.
If you’re considering swimming here, please read my Wild Swimming at Waterfalls guide before getting in. It covers some of the risks to consider and practical advice for staying safe around natural swimming spots.
Interesting Facts and Wildlife
Falling Foss takes its name from the Old Norse word “fors”, meaning waterfall, reflecting the area’s Viking history. The waterfall is formed where May Beck drops over a sandstone ledge, with the surrounding woodland providing a habitat for a wide range of wildlife.
You may spot woodland birds, squirrels and deer around Falling Foss, while the beck provides suitable habitat for birds such as dippers and grey wagtails. You might also notice the heart shape in one of the trees which made me smile.
Hayburn Wyke has an equally interesting natural environment but with the added combination of woodland and coast. More than 30 species of breeding birds have been recorded in the area, including great spotted and green woodpeckers, as well as redstarts and blackcaps.
At low tide, the rocky beach reveals rock pools containing creatures such as crabs, limpets, mussels, periwinkles, blennies and butterfish. The area is also a Site of Special Scientific Interest because of its geological and biological importance, including the Jurassic fossil plant bed found in the rocks around the beach.
Facilities and Nearby Attractions
Falling Foss has limited facilities. The Falling Foss Tea Garden is beside the waterfall and has traditionally been a popular place to stop for tea and cake, although it is seasonal. When I visited, it was closed, so don’t rely on it being open.
Hayburn Wyke has the Hayburn Wyke Inn close to the start of the walk. When I visited, we stopped here afterwards for a roast dinner, which made a great end to the trip.
If you want to extend your day, there is plenty more to explore along the coast. The Cleveland Way passes through Hayburn Wyke, while Ravenscar is nearby and offers more impressive coastal scenery.
Whitby is also within easy reach of Falling Foss, making it possible to combine the waterfalls with a visit to the town, Whitby Abbey, the harbour or the 199 Steps.
Best Time to Visit
Both waterfalls are worth visiting throughout the year, but autumn is a particularly good choice if you want to enjoy the scenery as well as the waterfalls.
I visited both in October and thought the timing worked really well. The woodland around Falling Foss was full of autumn colour, while Hayburn Wyke also had the changing colours of the trees surrounding the coastal valley.
Recent rainfall can make a noticeable difference to both waterfalls. Falling Foss can have a much stronger flow when May Beck is running well, while Hayburn Wyke’s second waterfall becomes more noticeable after wetter weather.
Spring and summer can also be enjoyable, particularly if you want to spend more time around Hayburn Wyke beach. If you’re visiting Hayburn Wyke, I’d also check the tide times beforehand, as the amount of beach exposed changes considerably throughout the day.
What to Take
Not sure what to take with you on your waterfall walk? I’ve put together a What to Pack for a Waterfall Walk guide covering the kit I recommend, from walking footwear and waterproofs to food, water and other useful essentials.
If you want to make this into more of a relaxed day out, taking a picnic gives you the option of stopping somewhere around Hayburn Wyke or the surrounding coast. Alternatively, the Hayburn Wyke Inn gives you somewhere to stop for food after the walk.
Responsible Waterfall Visiting and Safety
Please visit waterfalls responsibly.
Waterfalls can be beautiful places to explore, but they can also be unpredictable. Rocks, paths and viewing areas can become extremely slippery, especially after wet weather. Water levels and river conditions can change quickly, so always use common sense and take extra care around fast flowing water, steep drops and uneven ground.
Please follow the Countryside Code, leave no trace of your visit and take all litter home with you. Respect local communities, livestock, wildlife and any access restrictions that may be in place.
Before visiting, check local conditions and remember that you are responsible for your own safety.
I’ve put together a collection of practical resources to help you plan and enjoy your waterfall trips. From what to pack and how to find new waterfalls to wild swimming safety, you can browse all of my waterfall resources here.
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I do my best to keep every waterfall guide up to date, but things can change. Car parks close, paths get diverted, access arrangements change and facilities sometimes disappear.
If you’ve recently visited this waterfall and spotted any changes, please let me know. Whether it’s updated parking information, a damaged footpath, new access restrictions or anything else that could help future visitors, I’d love to hear from you.
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