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Beggars Bridge Glaisedale St Hilda's Way

St Hilda's Way

St Hilda’s Way is a 43 mile walking trail across the North York moors to Whitby that takes in the churches inspired by the seventh-century saint.

Season: 1 April - 20 October 2024
Starting point: Hinderwell
Finishing point: Whitby
Recommended for extra nights: Whitby
Distance: 43 miles / 69km

St Hilda's Way Price Guide

Luggage Transfers
  • £15.50 per bag per move
  • Minimum £29 per booking
  • Minimum 1 bag for whole walk, max 18 kg per bag
  • Luggage transfers paid at checkout
  • 1 - 2 moves only, contact the office for pricing
Accommodation Booking
  • 1-7 nights £50.00 per person
  • 8-14 nights £100.00 per person
  • 15+ nights £150.00 per person
  • Accommodation fee & bag transfers paid at checkout
  • You pay the hotels directly as you follow the trail

St Hilda’s Way celebrates the life of St Hilda, Anglo-Saxon princess, spiritual leader, arts enthusiast and peacemaker, by visiting places dedicated to her (including eight churches) in the beautiful North Yorkshire countryside. Enter into the story of an extraordinary woman who played a key role in the UK's church history by walking in her footsteps. This 43 mile route is excellent for those wishing to stretch their legs over 4 days of walking and see another side of the North York Moors. You can also break up the days if wishing to just do sections as the daily walks start and finish at Train Stations.

Purchase the guidebook from Dales Court Press - www.dalescourtpress.co.uk or info@dalescourtpress.co.uk

Click the blue 'BOOK MY LUGGAGE' button above to organise baggage transfer services.

Walkers are required to bring their own face mask and hand gel.

St Hilda's Way Route Map


Typical Itinerary

Staithes / Hinderwell to Danby (15 miles / 24km)

The official route starts in Hinderwell. With little accommodation, recommned to overnight in Staithes and either catch a local bus or walk 3km along the Cleveland Way turning inland into Port Mulgrave and along to Hinderwell to reach the start point at the church.

Hinderwell whose name is derived from St Hilda's Well, located in the churchyard and is believed to have been discovered by St Hilda herself. Leaving Hinderwell, the path crosses at the edge of woods outside the town following field edges and a stream to Low Borrowby and onto Danby via Scaling Dam. Be mindful that sections can be boggy.

Danby to Glasidale or Egton Bridge (9.2 miles / 14.8km)

Accommodation is hard to secure in Egton Bridge on a Friday or Saturday night so you may need to shorten the walk today and stop in Glasidale. This morning loop round to visit the Danby Dale Church. You will need to walk through town before taking the turn-off to Lealholm crossing fields, woods and walking along farm tracks. From Lealholm take the bridleway and follow the track in the geneal direction of the River Esk where you follow sections of the Esk Valley Walk towards Glaisdale and Egton Bridge. There is the Egton Loop that you can choose to complete. This takes in three interrelated places to visit including the St Hedda's RC Church, Cemetery Chapel and the 'new' St Hilda's Church.

Egton Bridge to Sleights (8.2 miles / 13.9km)

Walking onto Sleights you continue to follow sections of the Esk Valley Walk past the site of the old Grandmontine Priory and on past Newbiggin Hall. Leaving Hecks Wood you descend through Back Wood and cross the footbridge over Lady Hilda's Beck into Sleights.

Sleights to Whitby (5.3 miles / 8.5 miles)

From Sleights you head towards Echo Hill and up the slope on the Esk Valley Way. Walking on farm tracks, fields, stop in at St Hilda's Church in Sneaton. Take Monk's walk which is assumed to have been a route used at one time by Whitby Abbey. Cross Shwan Riggs, Stainaacre and Rigg Mill Beck and follow the Cinder Track, cross the River Esk bythe high viaduct and follow the rades into Whitby. Spend an extra night in Whitby and visit St Hilda's RC Church, Sneaton Castle & St Hilda's Priory, St Hilda's Anglican Church, St Mary's Church and Whitby Abby. The Whitby Town Trail is approx 4.3 miles.


Click the blue 'BOOK MY LUGGAGE' button above to organise baggage transfer services.

Getting to the area

Rail

From London Kings Cross, catch the train to Darlington, where you change changes for Saltburn. From Saltburn you will need to catch the bus to Hinderwell. At the end of your walk, you catch the bus to Scarborough where you can catch trains to your onward destinations.