Helmsley and Rievaulx Abbey from York
A private guided walk on the Cleveland Way, with pick-up from your York hotel.
From £395 per group
Spend a day on the edge of the North York Moors without needing a car. We pick you up from your hotel in central York and drive you to the market town of Helmsley. From there we follow the Cleveland Way National Trail to the ruins of Rievaulx Abbey.
The walk is private, just for your group, and led by an experienced local guide. Afterwards we stop at a cosy country pub for food and drinks, then drive you back to York.
- Distance
- 11.4 km (7.1 miles)
- Ascent
- 229 m (751 ft)
- Walking time
- About 3.5 hours
- Group size
- Up to 8 guests
- Full day
- About 8 hours
The route
Shorter and longer versions are available on request.
On the walk
Helmsley is a market town, with Helmsley Castle in the town itself. It is also where the Cleveland Way National Trail begins.
From Helmsley we follow the Cleveland Way to Rievaulx Abbey, founded by Cistercian monks in 1132. It is a walk in the footsteps of the monks, along a route pilgrims and travellers have used for centuries.
Interested in the old pilgrim routes? See our Yorkshire Pilgrim Trails.
Photos
Getting there from York
Helmsley is about 40 minutes' drive from York. Without a car, there is no train to Helmsley and only a few buses a day from York, so a day out takes careful planning. With hotel pick-up, we simply collect you in York and drive you there.
Your day
8:30am: Hotel pick-up
We collect you from your hotel in central York.
The drive
A comfortable private vehicle takes you to Helmsley, on the edge of the North York Moors.
The walk
11.4 km (7.1 miles) with your guide, about 3.5 hours of walking.
The pub
Food and drinks at a cosy country pub.
About 5pm: Back in York
We drop you back at your hotel.
What's included
Hotel pick-up and drop-off in York- A comfortable private vehicle
- An experienced local guide
What to bring
- Walking boots or sturdy shoes
- A waterproof jacket
- Warm layers
- Water
- Snacks
Prices
| Group size | Price | Vehicle |
|---|---|---|
| 1 to 4 guests | £395 | 4-seater |
| 5 to 8 guests | £595 | 8-seater |
Prices are per group, not per person.
What our guests say
We thoroughly enjoyed our hike between Whitby and Robin Hood’s Bay with Ryan. He made organising the walk very easy with his prompt, informative communications, and we got started right on time. Ryan’s knowledge of the countryside and its history was very comprehensive, and we ended up hiking while having a fun, in-depth discussion of English history as well as foraging, camping and language topics. The walk itself was a lovely, well-chosen track and we got lucky with the unpredictable October weather. Overall, a highly recommended experience.
Daniel
Whitby to Robin Hood's Bay 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
Ilkley Moor walk
Andy was great, really interesting tour of Skipton, don't know how he remembers so many facts!
Hannah
Skipton walking tour
Tripadvisor
Book this walk
Pick a date and tell us how many are in your group. Each date is for one group only. Meeting point: pick-up from your hotel in central York.
Online booking closes 48 hours before pick-up.
By booking you agree to our terms and conditions
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Questions
- Is it suitable for beginners?
- Yes, if you are happy walking for a few hours. It is 11.4 km (7.1 miles) with 229 m (751 ft) of climbing, about 3.5 hours of walking, and paths can be muddy. If you would like an easier day, we can make it shorter.
- What happens if it rains?
- Yorkshire weather changes quickly in every season, so please come ready for rain with a waterproof jacket, warm layers and walking boots or sturdy shoes with good grip. Paths can be muddy. If you are unsure about the forecast, get in touch before the day.
- Can you pick us up from York railway station instead of a hotel?
- Yes. We can pick you up from your hotel or from York railway station, as long as it is in central York. Just tell us where when you book.
- Can the walk be shorter or longer?
- Yes. Every walk can be made shorter or longer to suit your group. Just ask in the notes when you book, or get in touch.
Anything else? Get in touch.
Visiting from abroad
- We pick you up from your hotel in central York and bring you back at the end of the day.
- Prices are in pounds sterling (GBP) and you pay by card when you book.
- Yorkshire weather changes quickly in every season: bring a waterproof jacket and warm layers, even in summer.
- Walking boots or sturdy shoes with good grip are best; paths can be muddy.