This North York Moors walk around Rievaulx Moor is easy to follow and gives periodic views into the lower valleys below the Rievaulx Bank. There are some muddy stretches after heavy rain.
Calculated time: 4h50[?] 
Distance : 9.55mi
Vertical gain : 495ft
Vertical drop : 499ft
Highest point : 1060ft
Lowest point : 574ft 
Difficulty : Average
Back to starting point : Yes
Walking
Area : North York Moors 
Location : Helmsley
Starting point : N 54.28975° / W 1.05906° (D)There is plenty of Forestry Commission parking at Cowhouse Bank (SE612887) which is reached from Helmsley. Follow the track from the parking to the north west, keeping above and following all the way around Cowhouse Bank, Clark Bank, Helmsley Bank, Rievaulx Bank and Ayton Bank. It is easy walking with periodic views of the lower countryside to the north and the moor to the south.
(1)Just before the information board at Newgate Bank follow the track to your left onto the moor. When the track is about to enter the woods turn left again and pick up the track that does an arc towards the Heater Rigg Plantation. As you enter the woodland you have to do a quick left-then-right to pick up the forest road leading south through Acre Grain Plantation.
(2)The footpath off to the left at grid reference SE591881 is not well marked but it is an obvious path through the trees. Follow it down to and across the beck and then up to the junction of five paths to the west of High Baxton's Farm. Take the footpath across the fields to the road between High and Middle Baxton's Farms then go south on the road.
(3)Take the first path on the left and at the meeting with the Tabular Hills Walk bear left on the Keld Lane track and follow it to the road above Carlton. Stay on the Tabular Hills Walk all the way to Riccal Dale Wood.
(4)At the point where the THW heads off down the bank towards the river Riccal, bear left and follow the reasonably well-defined track heading back through the woods to the parking - always keeping to the track nearest to the western edge of the woods. This part can be boggy and may get churned up by horses but there are compensating chances to get views down into Riccal Dale.
At the end you come out back at the Cowhouse Bank parking.
Waypoints :
D/A : mi 0 - alt. 725ft - Start: Cowhouse Bank
1 : mi 3.77 - alt. 883ft - Newgate Bank: turn left along track
2 : mi 5.89 - alt. 722ft - Acre Grain Plantation: turn left along footpath
3 : mi 6.75 - alt. 650ft - Turn left along footpath
4 : mi 8.76 - alt. 600ft - Bear left along track
D/A : mi 9.55 - alt. 725ft - Finish: Cowhouse Bank
Visorando and this author cannot be held responsible in the case of accidents or problems occuring on this walk.
9.76mi
+755ft
-755ft
5h10
Average
Starting point in Helmsley - North Yorkshire This North York Moors walk starts from Helmsley and takes in Beck Dale, the River Rye & Rievaulx Abbey before joining the final stage of the Cleveland Way from Rievaulx Bridge back to Helmsley.
6.67mi
+469ft
-463ft
3h30
Average
Starting point in Old Byland and Scawton - North Yorkshire A circular walk around the countryside West of Rievaulx Abbey, passing the fish ponds that were established by the monks, the lovely village of Old Byland and its ancient church, then Caydale Mill and the valley that returns to the River Rye and the emerging views of Rievaulx Abbey.
10.13mi
+876ft
-876ft
5h25
Average
Starting point in Bransdale - North Yorkshire This North York Moors circular walk's main focus is to enjoy the views from Rudland Rigg. This is a quiet part of this National Park and you can almost be guaranteed solitude.
8.33mi
+1142ft
-1168ft
4h50
Average
Starting point in Hawnby - North Yorkshire This North York Moors route explores the moors to the north of the village of Hawnby and mainly uses moorland tracks. The walk makes a circuit of Hawnby, Bilsdale West and Wetherhouse Moors and gives views into upper Ryedale, Bilsdale and Ladhill Gill.
11.77mi
+1106ft
-1099ft
6h20
Average
Starting point in Farndale West - North Yorkshire This lovely walk takes you on a tour of upper Farndale; a delightful and peaceful valley in the North York Moors. Starting at Low Mill it heads immediately uphill onto Blakey Ridge and follows the old iron ore railway towards the head of the dale, with great views, before descending into farmland and eventually taking the riverside path back to Low Mill. Where the walking is on the road these are quiet and traffic will be infrequent.
12.51mi
+1637ft
-1640ft
7h10
Difficult
Starting point in Cold Kirby - North Yorkshire This North York Moors walk includes a further stage in the series of circular walks on the theme of the Cleveland Way. This route takes in a short section of the Cleveland Way between Cold Kirby and Rievaulx Bridge and provides an excellent taste of the scenery in this area.
11.5mi
+364ft
-348ft
5h35
Average
Starting point in Oswaldkirk - North Yorkshire This North Yorkshire walk is full of interest, visiting three villages, the rivers Rye and Riccal, a section of old railway and a section of the Ebor Way. The route also starts from an excellent pub.
7.38mi
+1224ft
-1224ft
4h30
Average
Starting point in Bilsdale Midcable - North Yorkshire A circular walk passing through farmland, onto the open moors and up to the ridge with the dramatic Wainstones. Return via the peaceful hamlet of Urra, passing the farm at Bilsdale Hall. Good refreshments in the Buck in at Chop Gate.
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