Inn Way to the North York Moors

Detailed Description

This walking route is based upon Mark Reid's walking guidebook 'The Inn Way... to the Yorkshire Dales'.

Starting/Finishing Point: Helmsley

The attractive market town of Helmsley - the ‘gateway to the Moors’ is a fantastic place to start your walk. Arrive early and take time to enjoy its picturesque old shops and bustling market place before setting off on your walk. Helmsley is easily accessed by public transport. Trains go via Leeds to Thirsk or Malton - approx 3h from London and 2h from Manchester. From Malton you can catch a local bus to Helmsley (approx 45m).

Helmsley to Hutton-le-Hole - 14 miles

Leaving Helmsley you will follow quiet riverside paths, country lanes and forest tracks to the unspoilt villages of Fadmoor and Gillamoor. Get your first taste of the North York Moors as you head into a small area of open moorland before arriving in the one of the prettiest villages in England, Hutton-le-Hole. You cannot fail to be charmed by this delightful little town with its picturesque stone cottages and quaint village green. You can also enjoy your first pint of Real Ale at the traditional village pub, The Crown.

Hutton-le-Hole to Levisham - 13 miles

You follow woodland paths and enclosed green lanes for most of today. This is broken up by the a slight detour to the fascinating ruins of Roman Forts at Cawthorn Roman Camps where you can take in breathtaking views over the North York Moors. You will also pass Levisham Station, a stopping point for the charming North York Moors Railway and it’s delightful steam trains. Levisham is a quiet little village with a lovely location. Sit back, relax and take in the stunning views!

Levisham to Egton Bridge - 15 miles

As you head out across the open heather moorland today you will really begin to appreciate the beauty of this area. It is not only beautiful but also fascinating with plenty of archaeological sites to explore. The views are just stunning on this part of the walk - from the view of the impressive Newton Dale Gorge from Killing Nab Scar, to the sight of the beautiful Esk Dale valley as you come into Egton Bridge. The village of Goathland - famous for the TV programme ‘Heartbeat’ is also worth a stop with it’s numerous pubs offering perfect lunch stops. Egton Bridge is a quaint little village in the heart of the beautiful Esk Dale valley.

Egton Bridge to Rosedale Abbey - 15 miles

Experience exposed open moorlands, undulating paths and quite woodland and riverside paths on this varied day of walking. Pass through traditional English villages such as Glaisdale and Lealholm and then the beautiful Rosedale Valley with its stunning 12th century priory in the village of Rosedale Abbey. Rosedale Abbey has a surprising number of inns for such a small village so you will not be short of places to enjoy evening refreshments.

Rosedale Abbey to Hawnby - 16 miles

Today’s walk will take you across five moorland ridges, offering some exposed and exhilarating walking. You will also pass through one of the most famous valleys in the North York Moors, known as ‘the valley of the daffodils’, Farndale Valley. Sheltered by the Tabular Hills, Hawnby is a quiet and peaceful little village. The award-winning Inn at Hawnby is a fantastic place offering delicious home-cooked meals and real ales.

Hawnby to Helmsley - 16 miles

A walk along the escarpment of the Hambleton Hills and a visit to Rievaulx Abbey are highlights today as your walk draws towards an end. Rievaulx Abbey is a really breathtaking sight and one of the most atmospheric of England’s abbey ruins. Not long after visiting the Abbey you will be back where you started in Helmsley, where you can enjoy one last night before heading home from this wonderful walking adventure.

Navigation

The Inn Way to the North York Moors is a relatively easy walk to follow. Most footpaths and bridleways in the North York Moors are cleary signposted, and a comprehensive guidebook and map are also supplied. However, we do recommend carrying a compass and knowing how to use it as navigation can be more difficult in some of the remote areas and open moorland.

Grade

This walk is graded as Moderate to Strenous. The walk is on well maintained footpaths, bridleways, across fields and open moorlands. It does involve some steep ascent and descent in sections and the ground can become quite muddy underfoot.

Accommodation

Being an Inn Way we will always try to book you in traditional Country Inn accommodation wherever possible on this walk. When the standard would be higher or availablity is an issue we may also book you into B&B's, guesthouses or country hotels. We will book ensuite rooms whenever possible. A delicious breakfast is always included.

Single Rooms

If you require single rooms within your party we will always try and accommodate you subject to availability. A single supplement is payable.

Solo Walkers

This walking holiday is available to solo walkers but as we incur additional baggage transfer costs their is a solo walker supplement payable.

Meals

A hearty breakfast is included each morning. Lunch and dinner are not included. Most of your accommodation will be more than happy to provide a packed lunch on request. Dinner is available either at your accommodation or at nearby pubs or restaurants.

Baggage Transfer

Daily door to door baggage transfer is included in the cost of your holiday. We ask you to limit your luggage to one bag of up to 17kg per person.

Equipment

Your information pack has a detailed equipment list which includes standard walking gear such as good walking boots or shoes, warm and waterproof clothes and a day pack.

Dogs

We can try and accommodate dogs wherever possible on this walk. In order to accommodate you, you may need to stay in pub style accommodation rather than B&B's and guesthouses.

Copyright

“The Inn Way” is a Registered Trademark of Mark Reid, author of 'The Inn Way' guidebooks. Some of the images used in the publication of this walk are reproduced with the kind permission of Mark Reid.

Getting to Helmsley

By Air - The closest regional airport to Helmsley is Leeds (approx 3h)

By Rail/Bus - Regular trains run from Leeds to to Thirsk or Malton (50m). From Malton and Thirsk, regular bus services run to Helmsley (approx 45 minutes).

By Car - We don’t recommend travel by car due to the environmental impact. If you do need to drive there is a car park on the north side of town and you can buy weekly parking tickets from the tourist information centre. A good source of reference for travel details is the Travel Line website - www.traveline.org.uk.

This walking route is based upon Mark Reid's walking guidebook 'The Inn Way... to the North York Moors'.

We are often asked the following questions by walkers planning The Inn Way to the North York Moors and I hope that you will find the following information useful.

Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any further questions.

How fit do I need to be?

This walk is graded as moderate to strenuous.The path is generally on good surfaces with some occasional steep sections and boggy foot underground. There are also a couple of long days of walking. If you currently don’t enjoy an active lifestyle we suggest regular walking in hilly terrain supplemented by cardio vascular exercise for at least 6 months prior to your walk. A good gym or personal trainer will be able to draw up a personalised training programme.

How far in advance do I need to book?

We suggest you book as soon as your plans are finalised as the accommodation on this walk does get booked up quickly. If booking at short notice we will always try and accommodate your plans.

What personal equipment do I need?

You will need good walking shoes/boots (ideally waterproof), comfortable walking clothes, waterproof jacket and trousers, a daypack and hats/gloves etc. You can download a full equipment list from the downloads page of our website.

When is the best time of year?

The Inn Way to the North York Moors is a lovely walk at any time between the beginning of March and end of September.

What is the best way to get to/from the walk?

We recommend you travel by train. Further travel information is available on the essential info page for this tour.

Am I able to take my dog?

We can try and accommodate dogs wherever possible on this walk. In order to accommodate you, you may need to stay in pub style accommodation rather than B&B's and guesthouses.

What happens if I can’t walk a stage?

You can use local bus services or local taxis to continue to your next overnight stop.

You can start the Inn Way to the North York Moors between March and October, subject to availability. To make a provisional reservation, select "Book" for the itinerary you are interested in.

Option prices will be displayed as part of the booking process.

Because every walking holiday we book is unique availability changes from day to day and our booking process works as follows:

• You provisionally book the tour you are interested in for your preferred dates and pay a 20% deposit online or by phone.
• We confirm availability and book all your accommodation and options and send final confirmation as soon as everything is confirmed (max 5 working days).
• If we are unable to accommodate you on your confirmed dates/tour or an alternative of your choice your deposit is fully refunded.