Ryedale Market Towns Trail: Part 6 Kirkbymoorside to Helmsley is a 14.3 kilometer point-to-point trail located near Kirkbymoorside, North Yorkshire, England that offers scenic views and is rated as moderate. The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, nature trips, and bird watching.
Table of Contents
The Route
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- Start Point: Kirkbymoorside
- Finish Point: Helmsley
- Distance: 9 Miles
GPX Route Map
Download file for GPSA linear walk from Kirkbymoorside to Helmsley in North Yorkshire, forming the sixth and final part of the Ryedale Market Towns Trail. The route heads west through a mixture of open crop fields, sheep pastures and woodland valleys with gorgeous views from the hilltops. Along the way there are several interesting landmarks including Kirkdale Cave (where a fascinating set of fossilised bones were discovered), St Gregory’s Minster, the predominantly thatched village of Pockley and the magical woodland ravine of Riccal Dale.
ABOUT
The Ryedale Market Towns trail is a 67 mile (108km) long-distance circular trail, created to allow walkers to enjoy the highlights of Ryedale, visiting each of the five market towns along the way. It is published through a collaboration with the Ryedale District Council. For more visitor information on the area including events and accommodation, go to www.VisitRyedale.co.uk
ACCESS
The walk has several steady climbs and descents throughout, plus a couple of steeper sections through Riccal Dale. The paths are mostly unmade and can get very muddy after periods of rain and in winter. You will need to negotiate several gates and kissing gates, two footbridges (one of which has steps each end) plus 5 stiles (a couple of which have tight fence surrounds so dogs will need a lift over). You will be sharing many of the pastures with sheep, so take particular care with dogs. There are only a few short sections along country lanes. Allow 4.5 hours.
LOGISTICS
If you are completing the whole 67 mile trail, you can arrange accommodation at both ends of this stretch, in Kirkbymoorside and in Helmsley. If you are walking this stretch as a stand-alone 9-mile walk, you can catch a bus for the return leg. Bus 128 will take you from Helmsley Market Place to Kirkbymoorside Market Place, taking just 20 minutes. The buses usually run hourly Mon-Sat and every two hours on Sundays.
FACILITIES
There are public toilets at each end of the walk. If you are looking for refreshments, there are lots of shops (including two bakeries) in Kirkbymoorside if you want to buy picnic supplies and you will be spoilt for choice in Helmsley at the end of the walk. OS Maps: OL26 North York Moors Western Area. This walk follows public footpaths and bridleways which cross private and public land. Please respect people’s privacy, keep dogs under control and remember the Countryside Code. Access a list of all the segments that make up this walk here.
