Yorkshire Wolds Way - Malton to Filey (★★★★☆)

I've been aiming to do more further afield walks, and one of the options I came across was the Yorkshire Wolds Way, which runs from Hessle (near Hull) in a big arc round through the Yorkshire Wolds to Filey.

This is a chalk landscape, so should be pretty similar to other walks I have done such as the North Downs Way - but with it also providing a downward extension from walks I have done down to Filey on the Cleveland Way - and not too far from other walks I have done from from Scarborough on the Tabular Hills Path.

But one of the reasons why I have done so little walking in this particular area is that it is a hard area to access via public transport - with few points to get on or off the trail.

This led to the idea of splitting the walk at Malton - and doing one walk from Malton to Filey this year, before returning to do the other half of the walk at a later date. 

The downside of this idea is that Malton to Filey is a 29 mile stretch (although whilst walking this section of the trail I noticed some nice shepherd huts opposite from East Heslerton on the path). 

Additionally the first stretch from Malton is not actually on the Yorkshire Wolds Way and is instead on the Centenary Way, so there is a bit of additional mileage to be added across the full route.

But in any case, this is the plan as I head out on the first train of the day to Malton, arriving just in time to join the school rush as I begin my journey through the town. 

Malton itself seems a pleasant place - but maybe not best visited during the the school rush, as there is a lot of urgency to proceedings as I head through town.

Once out of Malton, there is a bit of road walking to endure, before we turn off and start to head towards Settrington - heading through fields that at the time were full of pea plants.

Upon reaching Settington, I had options as to how to join up with the Yorkshire Wolds Way, and opted to go down through this pretty village, and then head east on a very minor road - following cycle route 166. 

This provided a nice quiet road route, and it was an enjoyable stretch that took me up to a point where the Yorkshire Wolds Way crosses this road.

Here we turn left, and begin to head north, passing the most pointless trig point possibly in existence (hidden under the trees and impossible to see from a few meters away, let alone from other trig points).

But before long we're back on what is essentially a road,- but it is all very minor stuff, and soon we turn right to head east, towards the village of Wintringham.

Heading towards Wintringham

This is the start of some extremely pleasant, and enjoyable, walking country - and there is a chance of an early break by the pond on the edge of Wintringham. 

From here, we turn left and go past the houses, before a right turn on the far side of the village - to follow the beginnings of a farm track, that reduces into a footpath along the edge of the fields.

Walking past Wintringham

Also walking past Wintringham

Further along there is a church which we are encouraged to take a look at (I personally didn't bother), before we turn left and head up the hill - after which it is time for a quick pause to enjoy the countryside and sunshine.

So far this has been a wonderful walk, and the wonder doesn't stop there as the path heads into Deep Dale Plantation - which includes a very steep climb - and thankfully includes a rope alongside to help you keep a good footing on the steepest bits.

Having come out on the other side of the trees, there are some unusual sculptures near a Bronze Age burial site - but whilst I wasn't sold on the sculptures, I was a huge fan of the dew pond and wild meadow - with views out over the surrounding countryside.

Not a bad place to sit and enjoy the view

From here, the path heads along an earthwork that heads down the hill (no idea on the origin or reason), before heading into and along the very edge of Knapton Plantation. From here, the path heads along what here are Wolds, but what would be called Downs where I grew up.

The main difference between the two terms seems to be that Downs are in the south of England, while Wolds are in the north of England - and the countryside is exceptionally similar and almost identical in character.

Here the path now follows the open ridgeline, and you begin realise just how quiet this whole stretch is, and there is barely a soul about as we continue along the ridge.

As we pass East Heslerton below, we come past Manor Wold Farm - and it is here where you probably have your best bet for a place to split this walk into two in a very pleasant spot where the sheep give a cheery hello.

Wouldn't be a bad place to stop for the night

Here the path also passes close to a set of long barrows (visible on the map), which date back to the later Neolithic or Early Bronze Age - with three bowl barrows close to a larger long barrow - although no actual burials were found during an excavation of the site.

These do, however, highlight the early human activity in the area - with the Yorkshire Wolds being a particularly prominent area of activity within the Neolithic period of history. 

Continuing along, there are a few ups, downs, and slightly wonky paths to walk along - and the ridge slopes downwards, so you are always walking on ground that is lower on the left side of your foot to the right - but there are also some lovely spots with wild flowers on the way.

Wild flowers while coming up to Sherburn

On the approach to Sherburn, this run of near perfect countryside comes to an end, as we join up with a minor road heading down the hill. After a bit of road walking, we turn off to the right, but then turn right again onto a busier road - although it is not too long before we are off this second road and back onto footpaths again.

Having escaped the roads, the path heads briefly through Brow Plantation, after which we head down the hill, passing what I would swear was a golf course on the left (but when I checked on the map I could find no evidence of one).

But having gone past the (potentially imaginary) golf course, it is a right turn to head along the base of the ridge heading towards Ganton.

Having got through Ganton, the path navigates up through the fields, via few wiggles, and comes out on a road heaading up to RAF Staxton - which you can get a good look at as we head past - before we continue on, heading south along farm tracks.

RAF Saxton is a radar station, and is probably the oldest working radar station in the world, having gone into operation in 1939. 

As early as the 3rd century, the site was used as a warning beacon - and operated throughout World War II. Over the years the equipment has been upgraded, but remains part of the UK defence system.

Here the path turns east and climbs back up to gain height, heading into a section that is the late highlight of the day. 

With Filey not too far away, this section heads on a very up and down route through some very pretty fields with a mix of wheat and sheep.

The highlight of the second half of the day

Having crossed these fields, the path turns right onto a minor road, but then quickly turns left again - tracking on the very edge of more sheep fields before we turn off to the right, into the sheep fields and through Camp Dale. 

From here the path heads northwards and then there are a few wiggles to be done, as the path slowly bends round to the east on its way towards Filey. 

This final section remains a pleasant walk, before arriving in Filey - at which point it is a case of walking through town. 

If you want to complete the Yorkshire Wolds Way you have to head out to Filey Brigg (where the Cleveland Way also starts/ends) - but having having already done that section while walking from Filey to Scarborough on another occasion, I am content to simply divert off to the train station.

From here I'm heading down to Scarborough to stay over for the night, but it's an easy journey from here to York and the wider train network (changing at Seamer).

Total Distance: 29.1 miles (23.1 miles on the Yorkshire Wolds Way)

Total Ascent: 2,756 feet (2,136 feet on the Yorkshire Wolds Way)

Enjoyment Rating : ⭐⭐⭐⭐ ★ / 5

For an additional route from Filey, see the writeup for the walk from Filey up to Scarborough following the Cleveland Way.

Disclaimer: This writeup provides a narrative of what to expect rather than a route guide to follow. The route is covered by the 100 and 101 OS Landranger maps - while there is also a Yorkshire Wolds Way guidebook which includes OS mapping (links redirect to Amazon). The route is in general well way-marked.