The Grey Panthers

A walk taking in the first stage of the Cleveland Way.
The walk is quite straightforward, and presents no especial navigational difficulties.
The only "problem area" is a steep wooded valley about 1.5 miles out of Helmsley. The footpath here is aided by stone steps, which are reasonably steep. In wet weather these steps can be very slippery.

A map of the route followed has been plotted on the Ordnace Survey mapping website, By selecting the ink below you will be taken to this map, - complete with distances and heights marked on the route.

OS Link

The route shown is on a standard map. To view the route on an Ordnace Survey map, select the icon in the lower right of the screen. If the route is dispkayed on a 1:50 OS map, zoom in to see the details on a 1:25 OS map.
There is also the option to view the route in a satellite image.

Start from Helmsley Car Park, SE61090 98780.
The stone marking the beginning of the Cleveland Way is at the exit of this car park (the "real" start of the Cleveland Way, though, is the Market Cross in Helmsley).
From this stone, take the waymarked footpath to Rievaulx Bridge (SE57422 84284). The path is very clear and well signposted all the way.
At Rievaulx Bridge, turn right and walk along the minor road past Rievaulx Abbey.
Continue past the Abbey until you reach the parish Church of St. Mary.
Retrace steps to return to Helmsley.