Rievaulx Moor Circular Walk
Table of contents
Walking the Rievaulx Moor Circular Trail is an amazing experience in North York Moors National Park that features a good variety of terrain, scenic views, and fascinating historical sites. While out walking the trail, you will pass by Helmsley Castle and the historic Rievaulx Abbey before the rugged terrain of the moor and open farm fields. Navigation on the back half of this route can be a bit tricky, so you might want to bring a GPS or trail map.
Route Description for Rievaulx Moor Circular Walk
Brimming with gorgeous historical sites like the 12th Century Helmsley Castle and Rievaulx Abbey, as well as stunning views of the breathtaking North York Moors landscape, the Rievaulx Moor Circular Walk is a fantastic adventure that will appeal to a wide variety of outdoor enthusiasts - although it is a fairly lengthy walk that will require a full day.
Setting out from the trailhead in Helmsley, you will pass by the ruins of Helmsley Castle on your left, as you make your way west to descend into the valley floor along the River Rye. Here, you will head to the northwest along the winding banks of the river and pass by the historic Rievaulx Abbey, before taking in views of the nearby woodlands and fields.
Reaching the northernmost point of the route, you will turn to the south and climb uphill to traverse the rugged terrain of the moor, taking in its natural beauty before crossing the picturesque English countryside on the way back into Helmsley.
Getting to the Rievaulx Moor Circular Walk Trailhead
To reach the trailhead for the Rievaulx Moor Circular Walk from Kirkbymoorside, head west on A170 for 9.5 km and take the first exit at the roundabout onto Market Place, following it for 0.2 km. Make a right onto Buckingham Square and follow it for 0.3 km to arrive at the starting point of the walk.
Route Information
Backcountry Campground:
No
When to do:
March-November
Pets allowed:
Yes - On Leash
Family friendly:
No
Route Signage:
Poor
Crowd Levels:
Moderate
Route Type:
Circuit
Rievaulx Moor Circular Walk Elevation Graph
Weather Forecast
Check Area WeatherReviews
WE ARE HERE TO HELP
Let someone else do the hard work, book a custom tour in over 85 countries.
Chat with us on our contact page or fill out the form below!
Nearby Trails
Byland Abbey and Mount Snever Observatory Walk
Howardian Hills AONB
Kirkbymoorside and Gillamoor Walk
North York Moors
Kirkbymoorside and St Gregory’s Minster Walk
North York Moors
Kilburn Woods and White Horse Walk
North York Moors
Helmsley Walk
North York Moors
Helmsley and Riccal Dale Walk
North York Moors
Helmsley and River Rye Walk
North York Moors
Rievaulx Circular Trail
North York Moors
Rievaulx Abbey Walk
North York Moors
Yearsley Woods Circular Walk
Howardian Hills AONB
Kirkbymoorside and Ravenswick Walk
North York Moors
Helmsley to Rievaulx Abbey Walk
North York Moors