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 is also not too far from other walks I have done from from Scarborough on the Tabular Hills Path.

Looking at the route on a map, it is a slightly hard one to plan since using public transport to get on and off the Yorkshire Wolds is not particularly straight-forward. There are not that many points in and out along the way and the route goes through very quiet countryside.

This led to the idea of splitting the walk at Malton (just off route) 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 - but I did notice while doing it that there are some shepherd huts opposite from East Heslerton on the path, which would alternately offer a good overnight along the way. 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 still it is nice to explore somewhere new at the same time.

And so I head out on the first train of the day to Malton in the early morning, arriving just in time to join the school rush as I begin my journey through the town. Malton seems a pleasant place, but during the school rush the traffic always seems to be quite aggressive and so that reduces by liking of Malton a bit - but probably unfairly because all towns during the school rush are fairly unpleasant places to be.

Initially the walk isn't that exciting as you head out of town, but eventually you 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 until reaching the point where the Yorkshire Wolds Way crosses this road.

Here I could 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.

Before long I'm back on what is essentially a road, but it is all very minor stuff and soon you turn right to head east towards the village of Wintringham.

Heading towards Wintringham

This was the start of some extremely pleasant and enjoyable walking country and there was a chance of an early break by the pond on the edge of Wintringham. From here, you turn left and go past the houses, before a right turn on the far side, to follow the beginnings of a farm track that reduces into being a footpath along the edge of the fields.

Walking past Wintringham

Also walking past Wintringham

Further along there is a church which you are encouraged to take a look at (I personally didn't bother), before you turn left and up the hill - where I stopped for a second time to enjoy the countryside and sunshine.

So far this walk has been far better than expected, and next up there is a bit of a change of scenery as the path heads into Deep Dale Plantation, which includes a very steep climb - which 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 while I wasn't sold on the sculptures, I was a huge fan of the dew pond and wild meadow - the bench with views out over the surrounding countryside was also too good an opportunity to miss.

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. Then 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.

The path now follows the open ridgeline, and it is here where you realise just how quiet this whole stretch is. I think from here to Filey I only passed about 5-10 other people out walking or running, and that can make some bits feel slightly overgrown, but it is really not too bad.

As you pass East Heslerton below, you 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 - and it looks a very pleasant spot to stay - the sheep even didn't run away from me and instead just gave a cheery hello.

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

Continuing along, there are a few ups and downs and slightly wonky paths to walk along - the ridge slopes downwards so you are 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 out on the way.

Wild flowers while coming up to Sherburn

Finally though, on the approach to Sherburn, this run of near perfect countryside comes to an end, as you join up with a minor road heading down the hill. This you turn off to the right, to again turn right onto a busier road - which you can soon get off slightly further up the hill, turning again onto a very quiet road to the left.

It is here that the best of the walk is really done for the day (with some highlights still to come later in the day though). 

And so having escaped the minor road, the path heads briefly through Brow Plantation. Heading down the hill from here, I would swear that there was a golf course on the left, but when I write these I check that I haven't imagined things and can 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 the road loading up to RAF Staxton, which can get a good look at as you head past, before heading south along farm tracks.

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 views improve with a late highlight in the day

Having crossed the fields, the path turns right onto a minor road, but then quickly turns left again heading on the very edge of more sheep fields before you turn off to the right into the sheep fields and through Camp Dale. This stretch through the sheep fields has been a late highlight and is worth keeping in mind as you head through the slightly less interesting sites prior to  RAF Staxton.

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. Here, if you want to complete the Yorkshire Wolds Way you have to head out to Filey Brigg (where the Cleveland Way also 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.

Here you find an easy train trip to Seamer - which in turn has a connection into York and the wider rail network. There is accommodation in town, with more options to be found in both Scarborough and Bridlington a few train stops away.

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.