Yorkshire Wolds Way: National Trail
Published 24 June 2026
Applies to England
© Crown copyright 2026
This publication is licensed under the terms of the Open Government Licence v3.0 except where otherwise stated. To view this licence, visit nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3 or write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gov.uk.
Where we have identified any third party copyright information you will need to obtain permission from the copyright holders concerned.
This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/visit-a-national-trail-in-england/yorkshire-wolds-way-national-trail
The Yorkshire Wolds Way is a 79-mile (127km) National Trail that goes through the chalk landscape of the Yorkshire Wolds in North East England. The trail goes from the Humber Estuary through gentle countryside to the North Yorkshire coast.
About the trail
The trail goes between:
- Hessle, East Riding of Yorkshire
- Filey Brigg, North Yorkshire
You can choose to walk the entire trail, a specific section or two, or find local circular walks that follow some of the trail.
You can find some circular and linear walks on the National Trails website.
When to visit
The trail is open all year.
Signposts on the trail
All National Trails are signed with an acorn symbol or the trail name. You’ll see these along the trail, for example on gates and signposts.
Walking the whole trail
- Length: 79 miles (127km)
- Time to complete: around 6 days
You can walk the trail in either direction. Signposts show the route in both directions so you can choose.
Most people walk from Hessle to Filey.
Accessibility on the trail
The Yorkshire Wolds Way is gentle trail with some low hills.
There are no stiles on the trail. There are some kissing gates, which are being replaced with more accessible alternatives when possible.
You can find some circular and linear walks on the National Trails website, including accessible walks that have no stiles or steps.
What you can experience on the trail
There are many things you can experience on the Yorkshire Wolds Way, including:
- wildlife – such as on the Humber estuary and red kites near Londesborough
- historic and heritage sites – such as the remains of bronze age boats, iron age remains, walking under the Humber Bridge and passing a Roman amphitheatre and Wharram Percy medieval village
- nature reserves – such as Rifle Butts Quarry
- local culture, food and entertainment
On the trail you can also visit cities, towns and small villages, including:
- Hull
- Filey
- Welton village
- Thixendale village
Sections of the trail
You can break the trail into sections that you can walk in a day, or that give you time to visit specific things on or near the trail.
There’s an example below, but you can find more information online and in guidebooks to help plan your route.
Hessle to South Cave – 13 miles (21km)
From Hessle Haven the trail goes along the shore of the Humber estuary. The trail goes through Welton and along Welton Wold. It then drops down into South Cave, where there are places for food, drink and accommodation, as well as public transport back to Hessle or Hull.
South Cave to Market Weighton or Goodmanham – 12 miles (19km)
The trail climbs north east out of South Cave. It crosses the old Hull – Barnsley railway line in Weedley Dale before climbing gradually to High Hunsley Beacon. The trail then drops through Swin Dale valley. After North Newbald the trail goes along high ground of the Wold tops.
In Spring Dale you can choose one of 2 optional routes: one follows the Hudson Way into Market Weighton, the other goes north to Goodmanham.
Market Weighton or Goodmanham to Millington – 8.5 miles (13.5km)
You can choose whether to start this section of the trail from either Market Weighton or Goodmanham.
The trail goes through Londesborough Park and Londesborough village.
The trail then goes north towards Nunburnholme and passes near Pocklington. The trail climbs above Warren Dale to higher ground above Millington.
Millington to Thixendale – 12 miles (19km)
There are a couple of short, steep climbs up the sides of dry valleys beyond Millington and then a gradual rise to a high point.
The trail continues past Huggate, where there are some places for food and drink, before it drops into the dry valleys of Horse Dale and Holm Dale. The trail then climbs gradually to reach Fridaythorpe and goes west to reach the dale of Thixendale
There are places for food, drink and accommodation in Fridaythorpe and Thixendale.
Thixendale to Sherburn – 19 miles (30km)
In this section the Yorkshire Wolds Way reaches its highest point at 700ft (215m). It drops into Deepdale and the deserted village of Wharram Percy. The trail goes up to another high point at Settrington Beacon.
The trail goes down to Wintringham, where there are no facilities and a steep climb out. This section ends at Sherburn where there are some places for food and drink, and public transport links to Leeds, York, Malton, Scarborough and Filey.
Sherburn to Filey – 17 miles (28km)
The trail follows the bottom of the escarpment (slope) between Sherburn and Ganton. It then climbs back up onto the Wolds to Staxton Brow. After Stocking Dale the trail goes down to Muston and on to Filey
There’s a sculpture carved with the National Trail acorn that marks the end of the Yorkshire Wolds Way and also the Cleveland Way National Trail.
From here you can take a bus to Speeton and follow the King Charles III England Coast Path to Flamborough.
Maps for the trail
You can find:
- a map on the National Trails website - you can also download GPX data
- other maps and guidebooks online and in print
- circular walks online and from the local council
The Ordnance Survey (OS) Explorer maps that cover the Yorkshire Wolds Way are:
- 293 Kingston upon Hull and Beverley
- 294 Market Weighton and Yorkshire Wolds Central
- 300 Howardian Hills and Malton
- 301 Scarborough, Bridlington and Flamborough Head
Diversions or closures on the trail
You may find minor diversions, seasonal or tidal changes to the route. These will be clearly signposted and you should always follow the signposts on the trail.
Prepare for your visit
Read guidance on how to prepare for your visit for information on:
- checking the route – including for diversions or closures
- planning your trip
- what to prepare before you set off
- what to do on the trail
Contact
Use the relevant National Trails online form to:
- report a problem
- ask a question about accessibility on the trail
- find out about volunteering opportunities
Contact the local council to report a problem on a public right of way, for example obstructions, poor maintenance or a misleading sign.