Route: Hessle to South Cave (Yorkshire Wolds Way stage 1)
Area: East Yorkshire
Date of walk: 13th December 2014
Walkers: Andrew
Distance: 13.0 miles
Ascent: 1,300 feet
Weather: Sun and blue skies throughout. Cold
The Yorkshire Wolds Way is an 80 mile walking route from Hessle to Filey, taking in some of the best scenery on offer in the chalk landscape of the Yorkshire Wolds
The official start is at Hessle Haven, though most people start a little nearer the Humber Bridge, at a sculpture adjacent to a car park. I arrived early and the sight of the rising sun shining on the Humber and the Humber Bridge was a wonderful sight as I walked along the banks of the estuary
When I reached North Ferriby I followed the low tide route which appeared to be accessible but about half way along it would have meant wading through mud or clambering over large rocks, so I headed inland and walked through the village. I rejoined the official route at the roundabout which leads to the busy A63
After crossing the bridge over the road I walked uphill and down dale through some lovely rolling countryside, eventually arriving in South Cave at lunchtime. The Wolds Way is superbly waymarked along its whole length and navigation is not an issue
It was a fantastic walk in perfect weather
Follow the links to see: Stage 2 Stage 3 Stage 4 Stage 5 Stage 6 Stage 7
Click on the icon below for the route map (subscribers to OS Maps can view detailed maps of the route, visualise it in aerial 3D, and download the GPX file. Non-subscribers will see a base map)
Scroll down – or click on any photo to enlarge it and you can then view as a slideshow
I started the walk at the sculpture on Hessle foreshore
The Humber Bridge
This was once the longest single span suspension bridge in the world
A perfect combination of form and function
Black Mill, formerly used to crush chalk for use as whitening in paint
Looking across the Humber
Approaching North Ferriby
The riverside walkway at North Ferriby
Monument to the North Ferriby boats found nearby in 1937 and which are believed to be 4,000 years old
I followed the low tide route which was fine at first but further along it became very muddy so I headed inland into North Ferriby
I crossed over the footbridge at North Ferriby station
And then crossed the bridge over the busy A63 - the only unpleasant section of the walk, but it was soon over
That’s more like it - Terrace Plantation
One of the many waymarks along the Wolds Way with the trademark acorn symbol
Looking across to the Humber shortly before arriving in Welton
St Helen’s Church Welton
Entering Welton Dale
Mill Pond
Welton Dale
Further along the dale
Climbing out of Welton Dale
Farmland near Wauldby Manor Farm
Bottom Plantation
A short road section before Brantingham
Looking back to the Humber Bridge, having walked about 10 miles to this point
Descending towards Brantingham
The Humber comes into view again
Heading towards Brantingham
Brantingham
All Saints’ Church Brantingham
Near Mount Airy Farm
Descending from Mount Airy
Further along the farm track
South Cave
The end of the first leg of the Yorkshire Wolds Way
