We are the York Ramblers. We open the way for everyone in our local community to enjoy the pleasures of walking.
From the Castle car park we join the Cleveland Way and head west through Blackdale Howl Wood to Griff Lodge. After a drinks stop, we continue through Whinny Bank Wood to a minor road leading to Rievaulx Bridge and then into the village where we will stop for lunch. The village contains the magnificant Cistercian Abbey founded in 1131 (there are public toilets at the Abbey).
After lunch we walk up through the village to a point where we join a steep permissive path that leads to Rievaulx Terrace, soon to be transferred from the National Trust to English Heritage which also manages the Abbey. On reaching the main Helmsley/Stokesley road a short walk on a path that runs parallel to the road takes us to High Ash Plantation where we head south back to Griff Lodge. Rather than returning on the Cleveland Way, our route takes us back through the Duncombe Park Estate to the car park where we started the walk.
Assistance dogs only.
Public toilets available at the start of the walk and also at Rievaulx Abbey.
Helmsley Castle car park
