‘Tis the season for fleeces, beanies, hiking boots and a scenic amble. One of the ultimate autumn outdoor activities has to be trekking through lush, crunchy-leafed landscapes with warm sunset hues. And if you’re tired of your usual walking trails and looking for a new route to embark on, we have just the thing.
A brand-new walking trail has just launched in the North York Moors that is very, very special indeed. It takes you on a picturesque route that covers five historic churches and some very pretty villages. And when we say these churches are historic, we really mean it. Some of them are as ancient as the Saxon and Norman eras.
The 20-kilometre route stretches through Bilsdale, Hawnby, Old Byland, Scawton and Cold Kirby (great names, we know), connecting ancient churches and very, very pretty villages. With a good pair of hiking boots and a trusty walking stick, you should be able to complete the route in around six hours – leaving plenty of time to spare for a post-hike tipple.
Each of the five churches has a colourful past, giving the trail tonnes of historic points of interest. All Saints at Hawnby was rebuilt in the fourteenth century after being raided by Scottish raiders, while St Michael’s at Cold Kirby stands close to an old road used by William the Conqueror’s army. Sounds fascinating, eh?
Currently, the local parish is in the works of erecting signposts to make the route clearer and safer for hikers and casual visitors to visit. But still, nothing to stop you heading up to Yorkshire and being one of the first to explore a fab new trail!
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