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Day |
Itinerary |
Miles |
Recommended Maps:
The following OS Explorer maps (1:25,000) cover the Wolds Way and are listed in order of coverage as one would use them walking from Hessle Haven to Filey.
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| Statistics: | |||
| Start: | West Heslerton | Estimated Time: | 8 hours |
| Start (OS ref): | SE911748 | Difficulty: | Hard |
| Finish: | Filey Brigg | Total Climbing: | 112 metres |
| Finish (OS ref): | TA132815 | Longest Climb: | 94 metres |
| Maps: | OS Explorer 300, 301 (see above for details) |
Longest Descent: | 153 metres |
| Hazards: | Care needed walking along the A1039 | ||
| Distance: | 19.7 miles (31.7 km) | Refreshments: | None until Filey |
| Part 5 - West Heslerton to Filey (19.7 miles) The final stage of the Wolds Way is spent almost entirely at height as you follow the edge of the Wolds escarpment from West Heslerton to the coast. My final day started at West Heslerton Brow (pictured) and as before on this eerie spring I was bathed in sunshine. The first five miles are walked in parallel to the A64 trunk road that can be seen in the distance below the walker to their left. The road is vital to the east coast economy as it is the feeder from industrial West Yorkshire. I have travelled it many times myself from Leeds to the coast although I am much happier now I am walking to the coast, and surely doing the healthier option. Good long distance views are afforded me as I look north from the fringe of the scarp face to the North Yorks Moors that hold my memories of another long distance walk, the Coast to Coast.
Along this early section there are some exceptionally beautiful interludes, particularly the walks through East Heslerton Brow (pictured), Sherburn Brow, the Ganton Hall estate and the guard of honour walk through Binnington Brow (pictured). After the brow you leave the scarp face and head back into wolds landscape at Staxton Brow. If anyone were to get lost here, and they shouldn't because this is the best signposted national trial I have yet followed then head towards the radio mast at the RAF station near Staxton Wold. Before dropping too deeply into Staxton Wold turn left and head across open land to Flixton Wold and then Folkton Wold (pictured) which surrounds the final two dales to be encountered on the walk, Camp Dale and Stocking Dale.
Enjoy the walking around these dales and say goodbye to wolds countryside as the walk all too quickly heads towards its conclusion. After a few more fields the village of Muston is reached. Follow the road through the village and then cut across one more field then walk though another final field fringing a school. At the end of the field cross a stile and follow a ginnel to the main road. You are now in Filey and after following the road over a railway crossing into town you face a short walk through quiet streets to the coastline. Follow the coastline to the Brigg a natural cliff outcrop that juts into the North Sea. The walk officially continues for another mile further along the Cleveland Way to Scarborough so take in the Brigg and move on the conclusion of the Wolds Way. Well done.
In conclusion what can I say about my Wolds Way. First of all it was walked in magnificent conditions throughout and not once did I have to divert my path because of mud, water logging or flood, and yet I did the walk in Spring. I kept my boots remarkably clean. It was a great walk and I enjoyed lots of great times in lovely quiet dales. I passed through a good number of woods and plantations. I walked through or on the fringes of lots of quaint wolds villages and I even spent a few enjoyable moments in the deserted village of Wharram Percy. I saw plenty of wild life, particularly birds, deer and mad March Hares! It was a lovely exhilarating walk. I am glad to say I have done the Wolds Way. I was critical of the walk before I did it but now I have walked it in its entirety I can justifiably say that it fully deserves the distinction of being a recognised National Trail. |
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