Rievaulx Abbey from Helmsley and back

Start: Cleveland Way car park, Helmsley. (YO62 5AZ) Grid Ref. SE 610 838

(S) Walk out of the car park entrance and turn immediately left onto the Cleveland Way toward Rievaulx. Continue along the track with a fence/hedge on the left and pass through a gate into a field. The track passes into a second field at the end of which there is a kissing gate where the track turns left.

(1) Go through the kissing gate and turn left to follow the track gently down hill for a short way to a wall. Turn right and follow the track West with the wall and woods on your left and fields on the right. Continue to where the track enters woodland.

(2) Follow the path down through the woods via some stone steps and at the bottom ascend more stone steps. The path emerges from the woods and continues West, again with woodland on the left and fields on the right. The path is joined by a track from the left just before a stone built lodge (Griff Lodge).

(3) Walk past the lodge and take the signposted track, again with woodland on the left and fields on the right. Soon the track enters woodland and starts to descend with old quarries on the right. The track leads down to a road.

(4) At the road turn left and take the path which runs above and on the left side of the road. After the bend, the path runs out. Walk along the road (single file) looking and listening for traffic. You will arrive at Rievaulx Bridge.

(5) Before the bridge itself, turn right and follow the road Northward to Rievaulx Abbey, again in single file and being mindful of traffic. Views of the abbey will emerge in front and on your right. Arrive at the abbey car park'.

(6) Return to Helmsley following the route in reverse. (E)

Start: Cleveland Way car park, Helmsley. (YO62 5AZ) Grid Ref. SE 610 838

Waymarkers:
Cleveland Way waymarkers. The route is well signposted so navigation is easy.

Refreshments :
Helmsley is a busy market town with a good range of shops, cafes and pubs.
There is a cafe at Rievaulx Abbey.

Terrain: The walk is along the Cleveland Way and the tracks/paths/gates are well maintained. At Rievaulx Bridge look up to get views of the Tuscan Temple on Rievaulx Terrace.
In winter and after rain it will be muddy underfoot so choose appropriate footwear for the conditions and clothing to suit the weather.

Explore the market town of Helmsley, there are lots of vennels and yards with craft shops.

Both Helmsley Castle and Rievaulx Abbey are maintained by English Heritage. Members will get in for free or use this link to check out current prices and opening times.