St Aelred's Pilgrim Trail
Your complete guide to planning a pilgrimage on the St Aelred's Pilgrim Trail
Route photograph: Wikimedia Commons
Plan your route
Click any brown pin on the map above and choose Add to your route to build your overnight stops, stage by stage.
Don't forget
A walk of this length (41 miles) is a real undertaking. Here is what you will need to stay safe and comfortable on the St Aelred's Pilgrim Trail.
Physical preparation
- Build up to the daily mileage in the weeks before — walk in the boots you will wear on the trail.
- Break in your boots thoroughly to avoid blisters; carry plasters and moleskin.
- Pace yourself — start each stage slowly and take short, regular rests.
Clothing & footwear
- Sturdy, waterproof walking boots with good ankle support.
- Moisture-wicking layers — a base layer, fleece, and a waterproof jacket.
- A hat and gloves even in summer — UK hill weather can change quickly.
In your day pack
- At least 1.5–2 litres of water per stage, plus high-energy snacks.
- A small first-aid kit, blister plasters, and any personal medication.
- Sunscreen and sunglasses — you will be exposed for hours at a time.
Navigation & safety
- Carry a printed route map and compass; do not rely solely on a phone.
- Keep your phone charged — a small power bank is worth its weight.
- Tell someone your planned route and expected arrival time each day.
Use us to plan your accommodation
Use Pilgrim Stays UK to find and book pilgrim-friendly places to stay along the St Aelred's Pilgrim Trail. For everything else — detailed route maps, GPX downloads, stage-by-stage guides and a community of fellow pilgrims — head to the British Pilgrimage Trust.
About this route
St Aelred's Pilgrim Trail is a 41-mile pilgrimage through the breathtaking landscape of the North York Moors, linking the historic churches of Upper Ryedale and Helmsley with Rievaulx Abbey — one of England's most beautiful Cistercian ruins. The trail follows in the footsteps of St Aelred of Rievaulx (1110–1167), the English Cistercian monk and writer who served as Abbot of Rievaulx for 20 years. Divided into nine stages of 1.5 to 7.5 miles, each ending at a historic rural church, the trail is accessible to walkers, cyclists and horse riders.
St Aelred's Pilgrim Trail is a 41-mile pilgrimage through the breathtaking landscape of the North York Moors, linking the historic churches of Upper Ryedale and Helmsley with Rievaulx Abbey — one of England's most beautiful Cistercian ruins. The trail follows in the footsteps of St Aelred (1110–1167), the English Cistercian monk and writer who served as Abbot of Rievaulx for 20 years and whose book on spiritual friendship is considered one of the great works of medieval spirituality.
The route is broken into nine manageable stages of 1.5 to 7.5 miles, each ending at one of nine beautiful, historic rural churches: All Saints' Helmsley, St Mary Magdalene's East Moors, St John's Bilsdale, All Saints' Hawnby, All Saints' Old Byland, St Mary's Scawton, St Michael's Cold Kirby, St Mary the Virgin's Rievaulx, and St Chad's Sproxton. Pilgrims can collect stamps in a Pilgrim Trail Passport at each church, and the trail is accessible to walkers, cyclists and horse riders.
Planning a St Aelred's Pilgrim Trail pilgrimage
Planning a pilgrimage on the St Aelred's Pilgrim Trail? This guide covers everything you need — when to go, how many days to allow, where to stay, how to get there and what to pack — so you can plan your St Aelred's Pilgrim Trail walk with confidence.
When to go
The best months for planning a St Aelred's Pilgrim Trail pilgrimage are May to September, when daylight hours are longest and the weather is most reliable. Book your accommodation well in advance, especially during school holidays and summer weekends when places to stay along the route fill up quickly.
How many days to allow
Most pilgrims allow 3–4 days to complete the 41 miles route. Plan an overnight stop at the end of each of the 9 stages, and consider adding a rest day if you are walking for more than four days. Use our Plan Your Route tool above to map out your stage-by-stage itinerary.
Booking accommodation
Use our Plan Your Route tool to browse and book pilgrim-friendly places to stay in Helmsley, Ampleforth, Rievaulx and along every stage of the St Aelred's Pilgrim Trail. Add accommodation to each stage of your itinerary, then book directly through Pilgrim Stays UK for integrated listings or contact the provider for directory listings.
Getting there and back
Plan your transport to the start in All Saints' Church, Helmsley and your return from Helmsley Methodist Church & All Saints'. Many pilgrims use public transport — check train and bus connections when planning your pilgrimage itinerary.
What to pack
Sturdy walking boots, waterproofs, a day pack, a water bottle, and layers for changeable British weather are essential for planning any UK pilgrimage. See our "Don't Forget" section below for a detailed packing checklist tailored to the St Aelred's Pilgrim Trail.
Highlights along the way
Sacred sites, historic churches and landmarks you'll encounter on the St Aelred's Pilgrim Trail.
All Saints' Church, Helmsley
St Mary Magdalene's Church, East Moors
St John's Church, Bilsdale
All Saints' Church, Hawnby
St Mary's Church, Scawton
St Michael's Church, Cold Kirby
Rievaulx Abbey ruins
St Chad's Church, Sproxton
Stage-by-stage accommodation on the St Aelred's Pilgrim Trail
Plan your pilgrimage night by night. Each stage below shows available accommodation at the start and end of the day's walk — click through to view stays and check availability.
Frequently asked questions
What is St Aelred's Pilgrim Trail?
St Aelred's Pilgrim Trail is a 41-mile pilgrimage through the North York Moors, linking the historic churches of Upper Ryedale and Helmsley with Rievaulx Abbey. The trail follows in the footsteps of St Aelred of Rievaulx, the 12th-century Cistercian monk and Abbot of Rievaulx whose writings on spiritual friendship remain influential today.
Who was St Aelred?
St Aelred (1110–1167) was an English Cistercian monk and writer who served as Abbot of Rievaulx Abbey for 20 years. Born in Hexham, Northumbria, he wrote several influential books of history and spirituality, with his work on spiritual friendship considered his greatest. He lived and died at Rievaulx Abbey in Yorkshire.
How long is St Aelred's Pilgrim Trail and how many days does it take?
St Aelred's Pilgrim Trail is 41 miles, divided into nine stages of 1.5 to 7.5 miles each. Most pilgrims complete the route in 3 to 4 days, though the short stages make it possible to walk individual sections as day walks.
Where does St Aelred's Pilgrim Trail start and end?
The trail is a circular route starting and ending in Helmsley, North Yorkshire. It passes through East Moors, Bilsdale, Hawnby, Old Byland, Scawton, Cold Kirby, Rievaulx (with its magnificent Cistercian abbey ruins) and Sproxton before returning to Helmsley.
Where can I stay on St Aelred's Pilgrim Trail?
Pilgrim Stays UK lists verified pilgrim-friendly accommodation in Helmsley, Ampleforth and the surrounding North York Moors for pilgrims walking St Aelred's Pilgrim Trail to Rievaulx Abbey.
How do I plan a St Aelred's Pilgrim Trail pilgrimage?
Start planning by allowing 3 to 4 days for the 41-mile walk. Use our Plan Your Route tool to book pilgrim-friendly accommodation at each stage, arrange transport to Helmsley, and download the route map from the official Saint Aelred's Pilgrim Trail website or the British Pilgrimage Trust. Pick up a Pilgrim Trail Passport to stamp at each of the nine churches.
When is the best time to walk St Aelred's Pilgrim Trail?
The best months for planning a St Aelred's Pilgrim Trail pilgrimage are May to September, when the North York Moors heather is in bloom and the weather is mildest. Book accommodation in advance during summer, as Helmsley and the surrounding area are popular destinations.