Yorkshire Wolds Way Circular and Linear Walks

This is a pleasant, easy walk of 3 1/2 miles in total along the track bed of the old railway, known as the Hudson Way, from the centre of Market Weighton. Return the same way or follow this route shown via Goodmanham. There are no stiles or steps on this walk and the maximum gradient is 1:6. Path Details The track bed of the old railway line is mainly level.  The surface is compacted aggregate, but not always smooth. The last 50 metres of track bed to reach the road near Rifle Butts are the steepest at about 1:6 gradient. After this the route is tarmac or pavement and follows the minor road to Goodmanham, which has no footpath and climbs for 400m at a maximum slope of 1:10. From Goodmanham a tarmac footpath follows the road to Market Weighton.  Apart from a short (100m) rise of 1:12 the route is level or with a max down slope of 1:14. There are several seats along the route. To enjoy this walk - find it on the National Trails (north) walks at OutdoorActive and on Phototrails.

This pleasant 5 mile walk on the top of the Yorkshire Wolds offers extensive views in all directions.  On a clear day York Minster, the Humber Bridge and Flamborough Lighthouse can be seen. There are no steps or stiles on the route and the maximum gradient is of about 1 in 8 over a length of 250 metres. About half of the walk follows minor tarmac roads with wide grass verges.  The remaining sections on the Minster Way and the Yorkshire Wolds Way use wide grassy field edge verges. Huggate has both The Wolds Inn and Rachels Walnut CottageTea Room.  Opening days vary, so it is worth checking on their websites before venturing out. The nearest accessible public conveniences is at Pocklington. For a full route map and description of this walk Head to our page  on OutdoorActive and on Phototrails

This easy walk has lots of points of interest and, with no steps or stiles and a good firm surface, can be enjoyed by most people. It is 5 miles out and back. This enjoyable, easy walk has plenty to see. Starting at North Ferriby it takes you alongside the Humber, under the Humber Bridge and along a section of the Yorkshire Wolds Way National Trail. From the car park at North Ferriby Riding for the Disabled (there is a cafe here) go through the gate and follow the path to the Humber foreshore. Follow the Humber to end at the sculpture that marks the start of the Yorkshire Wolds Way. There are no steps or stiles on the route. The path has a firm surface and is mainly level. The maximum gradient is about 1:10 for 10 metres. There are occasional benches along the walk. The walk provides fabulous views of the Humber Bridge - at almost 1.5 miles long it is one of the world's longest single span suspension bridges. This walk is easy and is accessible for most people. The surface is smooth and firm. There are no steps or stiles and the gradients are very gentle. The route is virtually level with the maximum gradient being 1:10 for around 10 metres. There is also a 4m section with a gradient of 1:12. Find more details about this route and its accessibility on Phototrails and Outdoor Active

Following a section of the Yorkshire Wolds Way National Trail this 2 mile walk provides amazing views. This access walk has no steps and stiles, it follows firm paths with gentle gradients. The walk starts at the Wolds Way Caravan and Camping site at West Knapton, near Malton. The first part of the route is through the camp site, then along a permissive path to the artwork 'Enclosure Rites', designed to reflect the area's strong archaeological links. From here the view across the valley is amazing. On a clear day you can see Bilsdale transmitter - 25 miles away, and even the Yorkshire Dales National Park, 50 miles to the west. The return route follows the Yorkshire Wolds way through a tranquil woodland. Access, and parking at the campsite, is available by the kind permission of Mr Watson.

• The section through the campsite is on mainly level tarmac tracks - maximum 1:30 gradient.
• The path climbs gently away from the camsite on a grass path - maximum 1:20 gradient.
• After the bench the path heads gently downhill on a grassy path - initially very gentle, increases to 1:10 gradient.
• The path along the earthwork (on the Yorkshire Wolds Way) is built on chalk, the surface is slightly rougher and undulates with very short sections of up to 1:5 for 1 or 2 metres.
• The last 5m of the earthwork down on to the road has a gradient of 1:3.
• The woodland section starts mostly level with gradients up to 1:20. There are some exposed roots.
• A 50m section on the wood dips down then rises again, max 1:11.
• The grass path out of the wood climbs with a 1:5 slope for 100m.

From the attractive village centre this short walk of 1.2 miles there and back follows the Yorkshire Wolds Way through the beautiful parkland of the Londesborough Estate as far as the lake and then returns the same way. The walk starts by All Saints Church. Leaving the road the route follows a short rough track with a maximum down slope of 1:7.  This is the roughest part of the walk. After this it enters Londesborough Park and follows a mixture of stone and grass path, which can be a little rough in places. The Parkland stretch has gentle slopes of 1:8 to 1:20. This described walk finishes at The Lake. There are 3 Radar Lock Kissing Gates along this section. There are no steps or stiles on this walk. For wheelchair access through these gates a radar key is needed. For all the details of this walk and downloadable mapping go to our OutdoorActive page and on Phototrails For wheelchair access through these gates a radar key is needed.

Here is a great double out and back route centred around Settrington Beacon, that has gentle slopes each way and opens up some great views along the Yorkshire Wolds Way.  If you cover both out and back sections, its just a bit over 4 miles long. There are no steps or stiles on this route. The first section heads north from Settrington Beacon on a full width compacted aggregate track.  The last section in the woodland is narrower and a bit steeper before opening up to a lovely open view.  Just beyond the woods there is a bench where you can take in the view, reached by a short stretch of hummocky grass. The second section then heads south from Settrington Beacon.  Again it is on a wide compacted aggregate track for much of its length.  There is one stretch of about half a mile where it is narrower and not surfaced and runs along the edge of a woodland.  There is a bit of a steeper drop at the end to get the best view, before turning around to return to Settrington Beacon. The nearest centre for facilities is at Norton and Malton about 5 miles away. Find the full mapping and details for this walk at our page on OutdoorActive and on Phototrails

Londesborough Park is a very special stretch of the Yorkshire Wolds Way.  A mansion was first built here in the 16th Century and was owned at that time by the powerful Clifford family.  The landscaped gardens were laid out in the late 17th Century under Lord Burlington and glimpses of this layout can still be seen today as can remnants of the former Hall. This walk gives a great chance to spot Red Kites, who are a common visitor.  They appreciate the Parkland setting with a good food supply and old mature trees for roosting and nesting. The walk is just 3 miles long, setting out from the Towthorpe picnic site  near Market Weighton.

• Distance: 3 miles / 5 kilometres
• Duration: allow 2 hours
• Difficulty: This is not a difficult walk. There are only slight ups and downs. You may come across cattle in some of the fields.

This walk covers fairly easy terrain, whilst taking in some superb historical sections of the Yorkshire Wolds Way.  Here you can walk in the footsteps of  the Market Weighton Giant. William Bradley stood an incredible 7 feet and 9 inches tall.  At sleepy Goodmanham you will be  visiting the birthplace of northern Christianity.  The walk also takes you through the most attractive parkland and estate village of Londesborough.

• Distance:  7.5 miles (12.1km)
• Duration:  allow 4  to 4 1/2 hours
• Difficulty:  This is an easy circular walk

This is a great circular walk for families, with 5 themed Geocaches to find, each with letters taped inside.  Find all the geocaches and their letters and use them to unscramble a word.  Tell us the word, or visit the Fiddle Drill Tearooms at Goodmanham and tell them, and each family will get their very own special National Trail Geocoin! You need to go to www.geocaching.com  to find the details of where the Geocaches are hidden.  Their names are

• Yorkshire Wolds Way Geocache Trail - Railway
• Yorkshire Wolds Way Geocache Trail - Stream
• Yorkshire Wolds Way Geocache Trail - Well
• Yorkshire Wolds Way Geocache Trail - Quarry
• Yorkshire Wolds Way Geocache Trail - Village

• Distance: 6.3Km / 3.9 miles
• Duration: allow about 3 hours for the walk, plus refreshment stops
• Difficulty:  This is a fairly easy walk, with no stiles and just a small climb on the road from old railway line up towards Goodmanham.  It is accessible to wheelchair users.

This is a lovely short circular walk at the southern end of the Yorkshire Wolds.  it is a great introduction to the Yorkshire Wolds, with plenty of woodland and uplifting views across the Humber Estuary. When you visit Welton be sure to call in at The Green Dragon Inn.  It has a special claim to fame as it was here that the notorious Highwayman Dick Turpin was arrested.  At the time it was for shooting a gamecock and for stealing horses - only later was his true identity revealed!

• Distance:  4.3 miles (6.9km)
• Duration:  allow 3 hours
• Difficulty:  an easy to moderate circular walk

Fridaythorpe is the best place to explore the characteristic dry valleys of the Yorkshire Wolds. The network of dry valleys, known locally as "dales" or "slacks" which dissect the Yorkshire Wolds plateau, offer fantastic opportunities to experience peace and tranquillity.

• Distance: 7 miles (11Km)
• Duration: 4 1/2 hours including breaks
• Difficulty: This is a moderate walk with a fair number of ups and downs along the way

Enjoy this brilliant linear walk along the Yorkshire Wolds Way National Trail between Huggate and Thixendale. On weekends and Bank Holiday Mondays between April and September you can use  the great Wolds Explorer bus service to connect each end of the walk. This walk follows a classic section of the Yorkshire Wolds Way that embraces the dry chalk valleys that make this area so beautiful. Expect to take about 4 1/2 hours to enjoy this walk including breaks. Take a moment to enjoy the route through Huggate village, passing its Well and lovely pond.  The church of St Mary's is also worth a visit with its beautiful spire. The walk takes you out of the village on the road.  After a delightful avenue of cherry trees it heads off left leading you to the first of the spectacular chalk dry valleys.  Take a few minutes here to rest at the Huggate Poetry Bench, designed by Furniture Maker Angus Ross. Every one of the 6 benches he produced along the Yorkshire Wolds Way is unique. Follow Holm Dale through to Fridaythorpe and rest up at the Walkers Shelter by the pond.  There is a shop here at the Petrol Station if you need supplies.  Or you can pop into nearby Seaways cafe for good hearty food and drink. Suitably rested, head on towards Thixendale, with more spectacular views across Brubber Dale and then the Thixendale Valley, where you can admire the superb art feature spiral - "Waves and Time" On now to Thixendale.  If there is the time, you should definitely take in the gallery of the famous Wildlife Artist and Naturalist Robert Fuller, just 1/4 mile off the route. His paintings are simply stunning. In Thixendale itself, you can finish your walk at the walkers' favourite pub, The Cross Keys.  The Wolds Explorer picks up from outside here for your journey home. Follow this route on the ground using the walk description on OutdoorActive  

This is a great stretch of the beautiful Yorkshire Wolds Way National Trail to enjoy.  With the new Wolds Explorer bus service available on weekends from April to September, you can follow this linear walk of just over 6 miles and use the bus to get back. Expect take about 4 hours to walk this route, including breaks on the way. Millington is an attractive village on the Yorkshire Wolds.  It has both a lovely pub, The Gait Inn and a great tearoom at the appropriately named Ramblers Rest.  There is a decent climb out of the village that uses the Minster Way trail. It leads you up onto the escarpment to join the Yorkshire Wolds Way National Trail near Warren Farm (the name suggests the faming of rabbits in the past) From here it is great views all the way, though look out for the steep drops and climbs at Sylvan Dale and at Nettledale.  You will want a breather after those! Enjoy the lovely dry valley scenery along the top of Pasture Dale, before continuing on the Yorkshire Wolds Way to Huggate. In Huggate take time to admire the lovely 12th Century church of St Mary's with its attractive spire.  Huggate is the highest village on the Wolds (with the deepest well!) There are a couple of great choices for refreshment when you get to Huggate.  The pub - The Wolds Inn, which has an excellent reputation.  If it's tea and great cakes you fancy, head to Rachels Walnut Cottage Tearoom. Download this route for on site navigation on OutdoorActive

This is a delightful circular walk on one of the really quiet and peaceful sections of the Yorkshire Wolds Way. It visits the northern Yorkshire Wolds, with its fine rolling countryside.  Along the way, take a chance to rest at the numerous gates and contemplate the tranquil scenery all around you.

• Distance:  5.2 miles (8.4km)
• Duration:  allow 3 to 3 1/2 hours including breaks
• Difficulty:  this is a moderate walk with a few ups and downs along the way

This circular walk is a wonderful journey through an intriguing landscape of dry chalkland valleys, across green meadows linked by quiet country lanes.  There are many wildlife discoveries to be made and an outstanding artwork to visit on route. Thixendale itself is a walkers favourite, nestling within a number of interconnecting dry valleys.  Nearby is the gallery of the famous wildlife artist Robert Fuller.  At point 14 on the map you will now see the stunning artwork "Waves and Time", a spiral earthwork created by the artist Chris Dury as part of the WANDER - art along the Yorkshire Wolds Way Project.

• Distance:  8.1 miles (13km)
• Duration:  allow 5 to 6 hours including breaks
• Difficulty:  This is a moderate circular walk with a number of climbs

As well as being a great Heritage Trail in it's own right, the Pilgrimage of Grace route is a great way of linking in to the Yorkshire Wolds Way on foot from either Pocklington or Warter.  The trail is an 8 1/2 mile linear route following part of the National Trail.  It is associated with the historic Pilgrimage of Grace, which was East Yorkshire's great rebellion of 1536 against the hardships brought against them by Henry VIII. The route is fully described, with a downladable map on the Top Ten Trails Website

Enclosure Rites is a stunning artwork overlooking the Vale of Pickering that is reached after the steep ascent from Wintringham. The work is part of the WANDER - art along the Yorkshire Wolds Way installations. It was completed by Jony Easterby and draws strongly on the archaeological importance of the area. You will encounter this great artwork after climbing the steepest hill on the Yorkshire Wolds Way, soon after leaving Wintringham! The rest of the walk is peaceful and tranquil, with wonderful views across the Vale of Pickering to the North York Moors and a return back into the Yorkshire Wolds.

• Distance: 8.7 miles/14km
• Duration: allow about 5 hours
• Difficulty: relatively undulating, but with one steep hill!

This day walk follows the northern escarpment of the Yorkshire Wolds Way.  It is a great route to use by public transport as both ends are linked by the hourly Coastliner service (see www.traveline.info for a journey planner) allowing access from Leeds, York and Scarborough. This is a really peaceful section of the route.  At the same time it commands outstanding views across the Vale of Pickering to the North York Moors National Park. There is also the option of shortening this linear walk by stopping at Ganton after 6.5 miles/10.5km.

• Distance:  9.9 miles (15.9km) option of 6.5 mile (10.5km shortcut)
• Duration:  allow 6 hours including breaks
• Difficulty:  This is a challenging walk because if its distance and it involves climbing up onto the Yorkshire Wolds