Rievaulx Abbey – Fairy Staircase loop from Rievaulx

Routes

Hiking trails & Routes

United Kingdom

England

Yorkshire And The Humber

North Yorkshire

Ryedale

Rievaulx

Rievaulx Abbey – Fairy Staircase loop from Rievaulx

Moderate

4.6

(59)

558

hikers

Rievaulx Abbey – Fairy Staircase loop from Rievaulx

02:52

10.6km

150m

Hiking

Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.

Last updated: August 4, 2026

Tips

Your route passes through protected areas

Please check local regulations for:

North York Moors National Park

Waypoints

Start point

Bus stop

Get Directions

42 m

Rievaulx Abbey

Highlight • Historical Site

Such beautiful and complete ruins of what was once one of the grandest Cistercian abbeys – until Henry VIII set the Dissolution in motion. In the 1200s there were more …

Tip by

257 m

Rievaulx

Highlight • Settlement

687 m

Old Stone Bridge and Waterfalls at Grass Keld, North York Moors

Highlight • Waterfall

Grass Keld runs from Nettle Dale into the River Rye. Fantastic in the early-morning sunshine and you can get right down to the water's edge on the eastern side.

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2.80 km

View of the North York Moors

Highlight • Forest

3.18 km

Fairy Staircase

Highlight • Structure

Great place for photos. Can be hard going on the knees for more mature walkers so hiking sticks may be useful. Can be very icy during colder months. Well worth a visit.

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3.52 km

Blackdale Howl Wood

Forest

5.17 km

Helmsley Market Cross

Highlight • Monument

The Market is held in the central ancient Market Square every Friday and is alleged to date back to the 13th century.

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5.28 km

Helmsley — Market Town

Highlight • Monument

The charming town of Helmsley is nestled in the heart of the picturesque North Yorkshire Moors.

Helmsley offers plenty to do and see. You could visit the imposing Helmsley Castle, …

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10.2 km

View of Rievaulx Abbey

Highlight • Viewpoint

National Trust site that's well worth a stop off. No facilities or cafe or anything like that, but if you've got a picnic or just want to get some nice photos, then it's a must.

Tip by

10.6 km

End point

Bus stop

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

7.04 km

2.60 km

445 m

230 m

201 m

< 100 m

Surfaces

6.87 km

2.82 km

605 m

256 m

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Highest point (140 m)

Lowest point (60 m)

Weather

Thursday 8 October

17°C

8°C

-- %

Additional weather tips

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Comments

November 14, 2021,Rievaulx to Helmsley return

Lost signal at some point so just over 7 miles. Still plenty of Autumn colours 😊

January 7, 2024,Rievaulx to Helmsley loop

Pretty muddy underfood and quite busy today.
Note: English Heritage discourage parking in their car park for casual walkers

January 3, 2025,Helmsley to Rievaulx Abbey there & back

3 miles from Helmsley, following the Cleveland Wat to Rievaulx Abbey. Costs £13 entry per adult as of Jan 25. Great site. Well cared for. Lots to see. Small museum.