1. Starting at Cleveland Way Car Park

If you are travelling by car, it is best to park at the Cleveland Way Car Park. However, you may prefer to park in the Market Place.

Adjacent from the car park is the beginning of the trail for the Cleveland Way. Follow this trail slightly uphill.

2. Go through the Gate

As you head uphill, go through the gates and follow the cobbled route. 

Ensure you close the gates and keep your dog(s) on a leash as there are livestock in the area.

3. Follow the Path to the Left

At the brow of the hill, the path bends to the left hand side. Keep following this route towards Blackdale Howl Wood. The path then turns right. Do not go through the gate heading downhill as this is private. 

4. Follow the Path to the Wood

Blackdale Howl Wood is on your left with some dry stone walling. Keep following this trail until you reach the entrance to the wood on the left.

5. Cross the Ravine

The most challenging part of this trail is heading down hill in Blackdale Howl Wood and climbing the steps at the other side. This crosses a ravine and can be quite steep and muddy. Please take care here and don’t hesitate to take a break if you require one. 

6. Follow the path to Griff Lodge

At the other end of the ravine, you can ascend the steps and follow the path to Griff Lodge. This takes you through a treelined route that is very scenic. 

7. Decision at Griff Lodge

When you arrive at Griff Lodge, the site of a medieval village, you can either follow the narrow path that takes you directly to Rievaulx. Alternatively, you can turn right and extend your walk. In winter, it may be best to adhere closely to the direct route.

8. Follow the Markers

Assuming you are doing the long version, turn right at the lodge and follow the track around the corner until you reach a marker to walk along the edge of a field. 

Follow the field around to the right until you reach another marker through a gate into another field. Follow this field edge and go through the farmers gate.

9. Walk Towards Griff Farm

Go through the farmers gate and follow the track towards Griff Farm (that is now on your right hand side). At the farm, turn left and follow the track to the road.

10. Cross the Road to the B1257

When you reach the road, cross over it and follow the public right of way to the B1257 nearby. 

This is the Stokesley Road from Helmsley and we carefully cross this to the opposite side. Turning left and following the road Stokesley direction, walk along the grass verge until you reach the turn off for Rievaulx on your left.

11. Descend Rievaulx Bank

Descend downhill on Rievaulx Bank walking through the village and admiring the abbey ruins on the left hand side. Eventually you will see the River Rye on your right. Keep walking along the road until you reach the stone bridge.

You can take a breather at the abbey where there are toilets and a cafe available.

12. Turn left at the Bridge

Instead of crossing the stone bridge, turn left at the junction and follow the lane until you reach Quarry Hill Wood where you will see a signpost for Helmsley.

Between the abbey and the bridge, look towards the top of the hill on your left. You will see two temples belonging to Rievaulx Terrace. These are the Tuscan Temple and the Ionic Temple.

13 Follow this trail Back to Helmsley

Turning right along the path through Quarry Hill Wood will take you all the way back to Helmsley on the Cleveland Way. 

This route is the narrow path we saw earlier at Griff Lodge. At Griff Lodge, simply follow the route back the way we came. This of course takes you through the ravine we encountered earlier! 

This ends our walk today!