St Aelred's Pilgrim Trail 5 Day Itinerary
Walk the St Aelred's Pilgrim Trail in 5 days with our detailed itinerary. Day 1: All Saints' Church, Helmsley to St John's Church, Bilsdale; Day 2: Bilsdale to All Saints' Church, Old Byland; Day 3: Old Byland to St Michael's Church, Cold Kirby; Day 4: Cold Kirby to St Chad's Church, Sproxton; Day 5: Sproxton to Helmsley Methodist Church & All Saints'. Find accommodation and tips for a 5-day pilgrimage through North Yorkshire (North York Moors).
Walking the St Aelred's Pilgrim Trail in 5 days is a great option for pilgrims who want to cover the 41 miles route at a steady pace. This 5-day itinerary splits the route into 5 walking days, with overnight stops at key towns along the way.
Each day covers moderate distances, giving you time to enjoy the sacred sites, churches and landscapes of the St Aelred's Pilgrim Trail while making steady progress toward your destination.
Day-by-day plan
Day 1: Walk from All Saints' Church, Helmsley to St John's Church, Bilsdale, covering 6 miles + 7 miles. Begin at All Saints' Church in Helmsley and walk east through the North York Moors to the historic St Mary Magdalene's Church at East Moors. Cross the high moors with heather in full bloom (late summer) to St John's Church in Bilsdale, near the site of a medieval priory.
Day 2: Walk from Bilsdale to All Saints' Church, Old Byland, covering 5.5 miles + 3.5 miles. Walk through rolling moorland to the village of Hawnby and its historic All Saints' Church. A challenging but rewarding stage across open moor to the small village of Old Byland and its charming church.
Day 3: Walk from Old Byland to St Michael's Church, Cold Kirby, covering 2 miles + 1.5 miles. A short, gentle stage to St Mary's Church in Scawton, one of the trail's most peaceful stops. The shortest stage of the trail, leading to the tiny church of St Michael in Cold Kirby.
Day 4: Walk from Cold Kirby to St Chad's Church, Sproxton, covering 4.5 miles + 7.5 miles. Descend into the Rievaulx valley to St Mary the Virgin's Church and the magnificent ruins of Rievaulx Abbey — the spiritual heart of the trail and the home of St Aelred. The longest stage, leaving Rievaulx Abbey to walk to St Chad's Church in the hamlet of Sproxton.
Day 5: Walk from Sproxton to Helmsley Methodist Church & All Saints', covering 3.5 miles. The final stage returns to Helmsley, completing the circular pilgrimage at the Methodist Church and All Saints' Church.
Accommodation for your 5-day walk
You'll need accommodation in St John's Church, Bilsdale, All Saints' Church, Old Byland, St Michael's Church, Cold Kirby, St Chad's Church, Sproxton, Helmsley Methodist Church & All Saints' for your overnight stops. Use our route planning tool to book pilgrim-friendly places to stay at each stage of your 5-day St Aelred's Pilgrim Trail itinerary.
Book well in advance, especially during summer months and weekends, as accommodation along the route can be limited.
Tips for a 5-day St Aelred's Pilgrim Trail
Start early each day to give yourself plenty of daylight hours. Pack light but bring essentials — waterproofs, a first aid kit, and a water bottle. Check the weather forecast before setting off, and always carry a map or GPX file as backup.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I walk the St Aelred's Pilgrim Trail in 5 days?
Yes. Walking the St Aelred's Pilgrim Trail in 5 days means covering moderate daily distances. This itinerary splits the 41 miles route into 5 stages with overnight stops.
Is a 5-day St Aelred's Pilgrim Trail walk suitable for beginners?
A 5-day walk allows a moderate pace with shorter daily distances, making it suitable for most walkers with a reasonable level of fitness.
Where do I stay on a 5-day St Aelred's Pilgrim Trail walk?
Plan overnight stops in St John's Church, Bilsdale, All Saints' Church, Old Byland, St Michael's Church, Cold Kirby, St Chad's Church, Sproxton, Helmsley Methodist Church & All Saints'. Use our route planning tool to book accommodation at each stage.
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