This walk, just over 6 miles, has a good variety of scenery including views looking down into Ryedale towards Rievaulx Abbey and then going through Rievaulx village and past the Abbey. Much of the route is on solid tracks and roads, but there are some more grassy alternatives without the views. Short cuts are available if the weather is poor.  Park in Old Byland village near the green.

Start at the top end of Old Byland village just north of the village green (OS Map OL26 “North York Moors western area” reference SE 550859).  Park at this location or elsewhere in the village (e.g. at the bottom end of the village green).

The walk route

1.    From Old Byland village (map reference 550859), set off north, uphill, and turn right along the road to Rievaulx and Helmsley. After 750 metres along this road, turn left onto a bridleway track for 500 metres. [1250m]

2.     (557864)  Follow the track round to the right keeping to the top of a valley side.  Follow this track, with views of the River Rye and Rievaulx Abbey, to a gate then through the gate and downhill to another gate, just above Tylas Farm.  [1000m] 

3.    (565867)  Go through the gate and turn sharp right onto a tarmac track leading along the valley of the River Rye.  [After 550 metres, a path leaves the track to the left* and continues at a lower level.]  Continue along the track for a further 900 metres keeping left where the track divides. Arrive at the point where the lower path meets the track just beyond where it continues through a gate on the right signed to Ashberry. [1450m]

4.    (568855)  Continue along the track, over Bow Bridge and up to higher ground before descending into Rievaulx Village. [1000m]

5.    (575852) Turn right onto the road and continue for 1100m past Rievaulx Abbey to Rievaulx Bridge. Turn right over the bridge and continue for 1150m past the junction with a road to Old Byland to a left-hand bend where the Cleveland Way turns right, off the road. [2250m]

6.    (563845)  Turn right through a gate and along the Cleveland Way, a solid track, for 800m past several lakes to the point where the Cleveland Way turns right off the track and crosses the stream by stepping stones. Follow the Cleveland Way across the stream then through a gate and over a stile straight ahead, across a small field to a footbridge. [900m]

7.    (556847)  Cross the footbridge and turn left along the waymarked narrow bridleway through woodland up the side of a valley to emerge through a gate into a field. Follow field edge paths to a gate in a stone wall. [1100m]

8.    (552856)  Go through the gate and follow a narrow woodland path round to the left and gradually down to a valley floor then along the valley uphill to reach a gate to a road. Turn right onto the road into Old Byland and follow the road to the village green. [800m]