East Yorkshire and Yorkshire Wolds Walks

East Yorkshire was formerly known as the East Riding of Yorkshire, the old name for one of the three parts of Yorkshire with the West Riding and North Riding being the others. “Riding” is an old Viking word meaning a third. “Ridings” were officially abolished by local authority reorganisation in 1974 but the term seems to have stuck more to the East Yorkshire than to North and West Yorkshire.

A large part of East Yorkshire is the Yorkshire Wolds, a serene plateau landscape of low chalk hills intersected by quite perfect valleys or dales, which look as though they were created by an artist, but which in fact owe their origin to glaciers.

The hills which comprise this plateau curve from the River Humber to the cliffs between Bridlington and Scarborough. The brilliant white of the chalk is clear to all at these cliffs in the Flamborough Head area.

The chalky nature of the terrain makes for much drier than normal ground so East Yorkshire is worth a visit for walks when other areas may be waterlogged. Even the dales have no water flowing through them so are relatively dry in the bottoms. The shortage of water has led to conflict between communities in the past.

The Wolds Way is one of the National Trails stretching 79 miles from the official start at Hessle Haven to Filey Brigg. It is a well marked trail with the acorn sign of National Trails prevalent.

The area is dotted with ancient earthworks, though you sometimes have to look closely to find them.

Most roads are quiet and actually lead to very pleasurable driving harking back to conditions decades ago, which in other areas are just a memory. Villages are also quiet, many are picturesque and many have very nice pubs, although the quiet nature of the area means opening times can be variable.

Walking in the Wolds is a joy. Very peaceful and you could walk for miles and see no-one.

Yorkshire Wolds Reading List

East Yorkshire Walks With "Traffic Light" Rating For an explanation of the "traffic light "rating see My Walks page. Each symbol = 2½ miles
The start point for all walks can be located on Google Maps. Click here.
Bempton Circular
Bishop Wilton to Millington
Cowlam and Cottam
Crook Ness to Hayburn Wyke Note: This walk is also listed under North York Moors as it is almost entirely in that area but it actually starts in East Yorkshire.
Filey to Bempton
Flamborough Head
Fridaythorpe Walk
Market Weighton to Londesborough and Goodmanham
North Dalton Circular
Settrington Circular
Warter Wold
Wharram Percy to Thixendale
See also North York Moors for East Coast walks.

If you need to buy any hiking equipment/clothing before your trip see the Hiking Store

All information on this site is given in good faith and no liability is accepted in respect of any damage, loss or injury which might result from acting on it.