Yorkshire Pilgrim Trails
Walk in the footsteps of the monks and pilgrims who came before.
Ancient Paths Through Yorkshire
For more than a thousand years, people have walked across Yorkshire to its abbeys, minsters and holy places. Saints founded monasteries on its headlands and in its valleys. Cistercian monks built some of the greatest abbeys in Europe here, and drove their flocks along tracks that are still walked today.
Our pilgrim trails follow those routes. Some are a single day between an abbey and its village churches. Others are journeys of a week or more, from York Minster to Whitby Abbey or from Kirkstall to the coast.
You don't need to be religious to walk them. These are heritage walks, open to everyone, about the landscape and the people who shaped it. If faith is part of your reason for walking, you're very welcome too.
From the Trail
We Organise Everything
Multi-day trails follow the same model as our walking holidays. You choose the trail and the dates, and we take care of the rest.
Accommodation in local B&Bs and inns, or church-owned accommodation where available, by prior arrangement- Breakfast and packed lunches every walking day
- Luggage transferred between overnight stops
- Walk with a guide every day, or walk self-guided with checkpoint resupply along the way
- Airport transfers and station pick-ups arranged for you, with drop-off at the end
- Daily stages tailored to your group's pace and ability
Day walks are guided from start to finish, with history and stories throughout.
Pilgrim Day Walks
From £49 per person.
Helmsley to Rievaulx Abbey
About 6 miles there and back, on the Cleveland Way.
The heart of Saint Aelred's Pilgrim Trail. Walk from Helmsley through fields and woodland to Rievaulx, founded by Cistercian monks in 1132. Under Abbot Aelred, from 1147 to 1167, the community grew to around 650 people and became one of the most important monasteries in England.
Abbot's Way (Fountains Ways)
9 miles, circular.
Links the village churches of Winksley, Aldfield, Sawley and Studley Royal, passing close to Fountains Abbey. Fountains was founded in 1132 by thirteen monks who left St Mary's in York seeking a stricter life, and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Curlew Way (Fountains Ways)
7 miles, circular from Kirkby Malzeard.
A quiet route through Kirkby Malzeard, Galphay, Winksley and Laverton, linking the village churches of the Fountains Benefice.
Fishers' Way (Fountains Ways)
7 miles, circular from Kirkby Malzeard.
Through Kirkby Malzeard, Grewelthorpe and Mickley, and down into the wooded gorge of Hackfall above the River Ure.
Mastiles Lane: The Old Monks' Road
A full day above Kilnsey and Malham.
The walled green lane the Cistercian monks of Fountains Abbey used to move their sheep to summer pasture. Along the way: the remains of a Roman temporary camp and the base of a medieval monastic cross.
Multi-Day Pilgrim Trails
Fully organised, from 2 to 12 days. Price on request.
Saint Aelred's Pilgrim Trail
41 miles, 3 to 4 days. Starts and finishes in Helmsley.
A waymarked loop linking the churches of Helmsley and Upper Ryedale with Rievaulx Abbey, through Bilsdale, Hawnby, Old Byland, Scawton and Cold Kirby. Opened in 2024, with a pilgrim passport to stamp along the way.
Whitby Way
70 miles, 7 days. York Minster to Whitby Abbey.
From the shrine of St William at York Minster, across the Vale of York and the North York Moors by Byland and Rievaulx, to Lastingham, where St Cedd founded a monastery in the 650s, and on down the Esk Valley to Whitby.
St Hilda's Way
43 miles, 4 days. Hinderwell to Whitby Abbey.
From the holy well at Hinderwell, inland along the Esk Valley past churches dedicated to St Hilda, to the abbey she founded on the headland at Whitby. A shorter 22 mile version starts at Danby. Not to be confused with the coastal Way of St Hild.
Abbey Trail
118 miles, 8 to 12 days. Kirkstall Abbey to Whitby.
The grand tour of Yorkshire's monasteries: Kirkstall, Fountains, Byland, Rievaulx, Lastingham, Rosedale and Whitby.
Way of St Hild
48 miles, around 5 days. Hartlepool to Whitby.
A coastal route from St Hilda's Church in Hartlepool, where Hild led a community before Whitby, down the coast to Whitby Abbey. Different from the inland St Hilda's Way.
Nidderdale Parish Pilgrimage
18 miles, 1 to 2 days. Wilsill to Middlesmoor.
Up Nidderdale past the chapel at Bewerley Grange, built by Fountains' Abbot Marmaduke Huby, and a former Byland Abbey grange chapel at Ramsgill, to St Chad's at Middlesmoor.
St Wilfrid's Way
37 miles, 3 to 4 days. Leeds to Ripon.
From Leeds Cathedral to Ripon, where St Wilfrid founded his church in 672. The Saxon crypt beneath Ripon Cathedral survives intact.
Yorkshire Heritage Way
42 miles, 4 days. Bradford Cathedral to Ripon Cathedral.
By Saltaire, Wharfedale, Brimham Rocks and Fountains Abbey, linking two World Heritage Sites on the way.
St Alkelda's Way
33 miles, 3 days. Giggleswick to Middleham.
Across the Yorkshire Dales between the two churches dedicated to St Alkelda, past holy wells and old stone crosses.
Way of Our Lady of Mount Grace
26 miles, 2 to 3 days. Middlesbrough to Osmotherley.
Over Roseberry Topping and Captain Cook's Monument to the Lady Chapel at Osmotherley.
Beverley Minster to Bridlington Priory
43 miles, 4 days.
Across the Yorkshire Wolds on old roads and broad paths, from Beverley Minster to Bridlington Priory.
Paulinus Way
90 miles, 9 days. Todmorden to York Minster.
Following Paulinus, who brought Christianity to Northumbria, by Halifax, Dewsbury and Wakefield to York.
Don't see the route you want? Tell us where you'd like to walk and we'll build it for you.
Why Walk With Hike Yorkshire
- Guides who know the history, the saints and the stories along the way
- Ex-military guides trained in navigation, first aid and looking after groups
- Everything organised, from your first night to your last
- Routes tailored to your group's pace, ability and interests
Frequently Asked Questions
What People Say About Hike Yorkshire
It was so much more than just a hike. I learned practical map-reading skills, how to take and use coordinates, and gained a real insight into the nature, history and landscape of the area. The guide was knowledgeable, friendly and made the whole experience really enjoyable, with plenty of interesting facts and stories along the way. A brilliant mix of adventure, learning and enjoying the outdoors.
Julie W
Ilkley Moor Walk
Ryan and his team made us feel very looked after during our day with Hike Yorkshire. I gained a lot of knowledge in navigation during the day and the guys were sharing valuable knowledge throughout the walk. Would definitely recommend!
Joe M
Ilkley Moor Walk
Absolutely top class day out on the hills led by expert guides. Great knowledge of the area helping us hone our winter skills.
James A
Guided Hill Walk
Start Your Pilgrimage
Choose a trail, pick your dates, and we'll take care of the rest.