Yorkshire Wolds Way: the artists' trail

Yorkshire Wolds Way: the artists’ trail

Ymholi Nawr Cadw yn Fy Rycsac

Yorkshire Wolds Way: Hessle to Filey Brigg

The Yorkshire Wolds Way is a 79 mile (127 km) walking route in the chalk landscape of the Yorkshire Wolds. From the banks of the mighty Humber estuary, along wooded slopes and through serene dry valleys, the walk climbs gently onto the airy tops of the rolling hills where on a clear day "you can see forever". Descending from the northern escarpment the final section of the Way finishes on the dramatic headland of Filey Brigg.

The Yorkshire Wolds Way is one of the lesser-known English walks and being the shortest National Trail, the route is ideal for anyone looking to break into long distance, multi-day walking. You don’t need to be an expert navigator to take this walk, the route is well-waymarked across a terrain that consists mainly of gently rolling hills and forest tracks.

Nor is the going particularly challenging either, you’ll find that a lot of the route is low-lying, giving you far reaching views over the tranquil Yorkshire countryside. This is a walk that would suit anyone wanting to cut their teeth with long distance walking as well as those looking for a leisurely nature walk, with peaceful moments of solitude.

The Yorkshire Wolds Way offers an unrivalled introduction to a beautiful part of England’s natural heritage, and should appeal to those who want to embrace walking, followed by a welcome drink and a hearty meal beside the pub’s log fire.

Millington Pastures on the Yorkshire Wolds Way

Tour Overview

The icons below highlight the distance, difficulty and theme of this itinerary.

Distance

127km

Days

6 Days

Grade

Moderate

Theme

Wildlife / Food and Drink

Landscape Type

Rolling Countryside / Connecting Towns and Villages

Yorkshire Wolds Way: Hessle to Filey Brigg

Every step of the journey has been carefully planned to help you make the most of your walking adventure. Click on the blue tabs below for more information.

Tour Details

This itinerary is offered by Celtic Trails, They believe that there is no better way to see and appreciate the natural world around us than through walking it. For over 20 years, they have had the pleasure of helping walkers on their journey, with their distinctive personalised service and character accommodations.

This tour includes 7 nights accommodation with 6 walking days.

Your holiday will include a good standard accommodation at a mixture of guesthouses, farmhouses, local inns and B&B’s with ensuite or private facilities wherever possible, breakfast, luggage transfers, personal transfer between accommodation and path where necessary, route planning and a Walk Pack including a Trail Guide, itinerary, accommodation directions, local interest leaflets and holiday planning.

To find out more about this itinerary and make an enquiry or a booking, click on the Enquire Now button at the top of the page. The Save to My Rucksack button allows you to save itineraries to view later, or to download them as a PDF.

Itinerary

Day 1 - Arrive in Hessle

Check into your comfortable accommodation in Hessle, a quiet town that’s a mixture of ancient and modern. You can’t fail to spot the epic Humber Bridge, a 2.22-kilometre single-span road suspension bridge, which opened to traffic on 24 June 1981. When it opened, the bridge was the longest of its type in the world.

The Humber Bridge Country Park , a 48 acre wood with open meadows and wildlife ponds is worth a visit. The distinctive chalk cliffs which surround the park on three sides, give rise to the park’s local name of Little Switzerland. The bright white chalk cliffs were said to resemble miniature snow covered Alps!

Day 2 - Hessle to South Cave

This section is a good and fairly easy going introduction to the Yorkshire Wolds Way. Enjoy the first 3 miles (5 Km) of the Yorkshire Wolds Way alongside the foreshore of the Humber estuary. This is an ideal location to observe passing shipping and the hosts of wading birds along the foreshore.

White chalk pebbles on the foreshore indicate that the Humber cuts through the chalk hills of the Yorkshire and Lincolnshire Wolds at this point and large quarries have, in the past, taken advantage of this low ground route to move their products by water and rail.

Just before the path leaves the foreshore and heads towards the rising Yorkshire Wolds you pass the site where the remains of three Bronze Age boats were found protruding from the mud that had preserved them for nearly 4,000 years.

Heading northwest you will pass through the delightful village of Welton. Enjoy a stroll around the village and pause for refreshment at the Green Dragon Inn where you can learn of its connection to the infamous highwayman Dick Turpin

Continuing north along Welton Wold you will realise that you are now truly in Yorkshire Wolds country. The route passes near Brantingham which for the sake of a short deviation is well worth a visit. Strikingly out of place is the interesting Gothic war memorial, built from stones taken from Hull Town Hall. Pevsner described it as “lovingly awful”!

Pleasant woodland and distant views dominate the final length of this section before you drop down to enter South Cave where there are good pubs, shops and accommodation.

20.8km / 13 miles

Day 7 - Ganton to Filey

From Ganton the path climbs back up onto the Wolds for a short distance and then turns back into the Wolds landscape at Staxton Brow.

Beyond Stocking Dale you say goodbye to the Yorkshire Wolds and the landscapes of chalk country as you descend to Muston and onward to Filey. Relax at the sculpture carved with the National Trail acorn that marks the finish of the Yorkshire Wolds Way and also the Cleveland Way. Filey is the perfect place to kick off your boots and go for a paddle at the end of a long walk – a truly fitting finish to a superb Yorkshire Wolds Way!

18.4km / 11.5 miles

Day 8 - Depart Filey

Depart after breakfast.

Accommodation

Celtic Trails pride themselves on a good standard accommodation. You will be staying in a mix of accommodation including guesthouses, farmhouses, local inns and B&B’s with ensuite or private facilities wherever possible. Breakfast will be provided. Wherever necessary transfer between your accommodation and the path is included.

This tour includes 7 nights’ accommodation.

Travel

Bus

There are direct bus services between Hull and Hessle and also between Filey and Hull.

Check Traveline for latest timetable information and journey planning.

Rail

There are rail connections to both Hessle (from Hull, Leeds or Sheffield) and Filey as well as between Filey and Hull.

You can also get directly to Hull from London Kings Cross as well as more local services using Hull Trains

Visit www.nationalrail.co.uk for rail information and journey planning.

Ferry

If you are arriving at Hull using P&O Ferries, you should be landing at about 8.00am. The Hull Ferry bus takes foot passengers to Hull Rail Station. From Hull Station, the easiest route is to catch the regular trains to Hessle.

Advice

The route is rated moderate covering between 17.6 and 24km each day. With a few short exceptions there are no ‘serious’ hills along the Way. This is a gentle, subtle route suitable for almost all abilities.

Anywhere from March to October is a good time to visit. Although the walk itself is fairly easygoing, try to avoid the wetter seasons as the route is liable to get muddy – making progress a bit harder. Visit in Spring for fields of wildflowers and Red Kites in the sky.

Food & Drink

You’ll be spoiled for choice with so much great local food and drink on offer. You will pass through many small villages and towns with great local pubs and cafes.