The **79‑mile Yorkshire Wolds Way is short enough for most walkers to complete in a single thru‑hike, typically over 4–6 days. With settlements and services often few and far between, it’s worth planning your mileage and booking accommodation in advance.
Below you’ll find:
- the Official National Trails 6‑day itinerary
- a practical 6‑day itinerary
- a 5‑day itinerary
- a 4‑day itinerary
Each includes clear options and explanations of how one day’s choice affects the next.
If you haven’t already read it on the hub, my guide on whether the Yorkshire Wolds Way is hard gives a clear breakdown of the terrain and the trickier dry‑valley climbs — useful context before choosing a 4‑, 5‑ or 6‑day itinerary.
Official National Trails Itinerary (6 Days)
The National Trails website recommends the following 6‑day schedule for the Yorkshire Wolds Way:
- Hessle to South Cave — 13 miles
- South Cave to Market Weighton or Goodmanham — 12 miles
- Market Weighton/Goodmanham to Millington — 8.5 miles
- Millington to Thixendale — 12 miles
- Thixendale to Sherburn — 19 miles
- Sherburn to Filey — 17 miles
This itinerary follows the official staging of the Yorkshire Wolds Way, but Millington still has no accommodation. Thixendale now has rooms again following the reopening of the Cross Keys pub under new ownership in June 2026, although its winter opening hours remain to be confirmed. The alternative itineraries below offer more practical overnight stops while keeping mileage sensible.
My recommended 6‑Day Yorkshire Wolds Way Itinerary
This version keeps mileage comfortable while ensuring you can stay somewhere each night.
Day 1: Hessle to South Cave — 13 miles
Follow the official Yorkshire Wolds Way route. South Cave has accommodation and food options.
Day 2: South Cave to Market Weighton (12 miles) or Goodmanham (12 miles)
The trail splits here, offering two official end points.
Option A: Finish in Market Weighton
- Accommodation available
- Easiest logistics
Option B: Finish in Goodmanham
- No accommodation in Goodmanham
- You’ll need to walk or catch a taxi to Market Weighton
- See: Yorkshire Wolds Way Day 2: Market Weighton or Goodmanham?
Day 3: Market Weighton/Goodmanham to Millington (8.5 miles) — Stay in Pocklington
Because Millington has no accommodation, continue towards the village but leave the Wolds Way early:
- Follow the B1246 west for 1.5 miles into Pocklington
- Accommodation, pubs and a supermarket available
- Rejoin the trail next morning via the same road or the Chalkland Way
Day 4: Millington (Pocklington) to Fridaythorpe — 10 miles
A short, pleasant day:
- Reach Huggate after 7 miles — ideal for lunch
- Continue 2.5 miles to Fridaythorpe, which has accommodation and a campground (check for seasonality).
Day 5: Fridaythorpe to Sherburn (23 miles) or West Wold Farm (18 miles)
Option A: Fridaythorpe to Sherburn — 23 miles
- Big day but there’s just only one day remaining
- Campsite available just west of Sherburn
Option B: Fridaythorpe to West Wold Farm — 18 miles
- Reduces mileage
- Adds miles to Day 6
- Camping available at West Wold Farm
Day 6: Sherburn to Filey — 17 miles
Or, if you stayed at West Wold Farm:
West Wold Farm to Filey — 23 miles
Finish at Filey Brigg, with accommodation, food and a train station nearby.
5‑Day Yorkshire Wolds Way Itinerary
A 5‑day itinerary averages around 16 miles per day. The options below align with accommodation availability.
Day 1: Hessle to South Cave (13 miles) or North Newbald (19 miles)
Option A: Hessle to South Cave — 13 miles
- Easiest start
- Accommodation available
Option B: Hessle to North Newbald — 19 miles
- Adds 6 miles
- Accommodation available
- Makes Day 2 significantly easier
- Requires an early start from Hessle
Day 2: Choose based on where you slept
If you slept in South Cave:
South Cave to Market Weighton or Goodmanham — 12 miles
- Same considerations as the 6‑day itinerary
- Still a “slow start” for a 5‑day schedule
- You’ll need to make up mileage later
If you slept in North Newbald:
North Newbald to Pocklington — 14 miles
- Comfortable day
- Accommodation and services in Pocklington
If you want a big push:
South Cave to Pocklington — 20 miles
- Leave the Wolds Way via the B1246 to reach Pocklington
- Rejoin via the road or Chalkland Way next morning
Day 3: Market Weighton/Goodmanham to Fridaythorpe (16 miles), Pocklington to Fridaythorpe (10 miles), or Pocklington to Thixendale (13 miles)
Option A: Market Weighton/Goodmanham to Fridaythorpe — 16 miles
- First big day if you took the gentler start
- Lunch stop in Huggate after 13.5 miles
- Continue to Fridaythorpe for accommodation including camping (check for seasonality)
Option B: Pocklington to Fridaythorpe — 10 miles
- Easy day if you reached Pocklington on Day 2
- Accommodation is sparse between Fridaythorpe and Sherburn — Thixendale now has rooms at the Cross Keys, but availability varies and winter hours remain to be confirmed.
Option C: Pocklington to Thixendale — 13 miles
- A balanced middle‑distance day if you reached Pocklington on Day 2.
- Follow the Wolds Way north through Millington and Thixen Dale, continuing all the way into Thixendale for accommodation at the Cross Keys (reopened in June 2026; winter hours still being confirmed).
- This option keeps mileage sensible while positioning you well for the long Day 4 towards Fridaythorpe or West Wold Farm.
Day 4: Fridaythorpe to Sherburn (23 miles), Fridaythorpe to West Wold Farm (18 miles), Thixendale to Sherburn (20 miles), or Thixendale to West Wold Farm (13 miles)
Option A: Fridaythorpe to Sherburn — 23 miles
- Some expensive whole‑property rentals exist at North Grimston and Settringham
- Most walkers simply commit to the long day
Option B: Fridaythorpe to West Wold Farm — 18 miles
- Reduces the day
- Adds miles to Day 5
- Camping available
Option C: Thixendale to Sherburn — 20 miles
- A long but rewarding day if you stayed in Thixendale on Day 3.
- Follow the Wolds Way west towards Fridaythorpe, then continue through the classic dry‑valley scenery towards West Wold Farm and onwards to Sherburn.
- Accommodation options remain limited here, though whole‑property rentals exist at North Grimston and Settringham. Most walkers simply commit to the full distance.
Option D: Thixendale to West Wold Farm — 13 miles
- A shorter and more manageable day from Thixendale, ideal if you prefer to split the long push to Sherburn.
- Continue south‑west to West Wold Farm, where camping is available (check for seasonality).
- This option reduces Day 4 but adds mileage to Day 5.
Day 5: Sherburn to Filey (17 miles) or West Wold Farm to Filey (23 miles)
A long but manageable finish, with plenty of services in Filey.
4‑Day Yorkshire Wolds Way Itinerary
(Fast, efficient, ideal for two‑weekend completion)
This is the quickest realistic schedule for most walkers.
Day 1: Hessle to North Newbald — 19 miles
Start early to ensure daylight. Swin Dale offers a superb sunset if you time it right.
Day 2: North Newbald to Pocklington (14 miles) or Fridaythorpe (21 miles)
Option A: North Newbald to Pocklington — 14 miles
- Ideal if splitting the trail over two weekends
- Buses from Pocklington connect to York and Beverley
Option B: North Newbald to Fridaythorpe — 21 miles
- For a true 4‑day thru‑hike
- Accommodation available in Fridaythorpe
Day 3: Fridaythorpe to Sherburn (23 miles) / West Wold Farm (18 miles) or Pocklington to West Wold Farm (27 miles)
Option A: Fridaythorpe to Sherburn — 23 miles
- Big day but straightforward and takes in many of the highlights of the Wolds Way
- Campsite west of Sherburn
Option B: Fridaythorpe to West Wold Farm — 18 miles
- Reduces Day 3 mileage
- Adds miles to Day 4
Option C: Pocklington to West Wold Farm — 27 miles
- Only relevant if splitting the trail over two weekends
- Very long day
Day 4: Sherburn to Filey — 17 miles
Or:
West Wold Farm to Filey — 23 miles
Finish at Filey Brigg with accommodation, food and transport options.
For help getting to and from each stage — including buses, stations and exit points — see my Yorkshire Wolds Way Transport & Exit Guide.
Explore More Yorkshire Wolds Way Guides
If you’re planning one of these itineraries, my Yorkshire Wolds Way Packing Guide covers the simple, lightweight kit you’ll need for this gentle chalk‑land trail.
Head back to the Yorkshire Wolds Way Hub for stages, circular walks and planning resources.