Fresh air, a good walk and friends are often lauded as the antidote to the pressures of modern day life. Leave the phone behind, go at your own pace and take in the sights and sounds of nature and landscape – often the best medicine, but not necessarily a modern-day prescription.
Centuries ago, a similar message came from the wisdom of Aelred, a monastic leader who was Abbot of Rievaulx Abbey from 1147-1167. He was a keen walker and author who wrote ‘On Spiritual Friendship’ in which he highlighted the importance of having friends to turn to during troubled times, as well as sharing happy moments.
It is hoped that walkers will have many happy moments in his memory when they take to the 41-mile Saint Aelred’s Pilgrim trail, which will link the 12 churches in the Benefice of Helmsley and Upper Ryedale.
The trail was officially launched in September, midway through the North York Moors National Park’s Mindful Month with a Gathering Walk when members of the Regia Anglorum medieval re-enactment group walked part of the trail. They were joined by people and horse riders following a 12-mile stretch of the trail between Hawnby and Rievaulx.
The route be open to all, regardless of their faith, in a bid to make it a modern-day pilgrimage, helping to boost people’s wellbeing as they connect with fellow pilgrims and the local community while discovering beautiful stretches of the National Park and historic churches. Soon, a waymarked version of the trail utilising the network of bridleways, will open up the pilgrimage to horse riders and cyclists.
A guidebook will also highlight historical points of interest along the way, whether it’s the Viking hogback gravestone in The Church of All Saints in Helmsley; discovering the tiny Church of Saint Mary Magdalene on East Moors; or seeing the Slipper Chapel in the Church of Saint Mary at Rievaulx (so-called because pilgrims would remove their boots and put on slippers).
Reverend Melanie Burnside, Vicar of the parishes of Helmsley and Upper Ryedale says: ‘The churches of the trail have been part of the landscape and fabric of life here for hundreds of years. We are hoping that pilgrims and visitors will rediscover them and how they tell the story of our faith in Jesus here in the North, joining in with the Archbishop of York’s campaign inspired by our Northern Saints that offers ‘light from the past and hope for the future’.
The aim of the walking trail is to revitalise interest in historic rural and hamlet churches and chapels, says George Gyte, parochial church council secretary of the Parish of Upper Ryedale.
‘There is something for everyone: those who are up for a challenge, those who seek places of peace, contemplation and prayer, and those want to hike and ‘stand and stare’ whilst absorbing the remarkable sights and sounds of our moors.’
George adds: ‘We’ve completed this new trail for walkers, runners, horse riders and cyclists, waymarked it and produced a guidebook with a foreword by the Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell.
Joel Brookfield, director of recreation and wellbeing for the North York Moors National Park adds: ‘The trail is a fantastic resource to have as it brings together much of what makes the National Park so special – in particular the contrasting and spectacular scenery, our strong cultural heritage and the welcoming communities. It will help enrich people’s enjoyment of the North York Moors, guide them to discover new places and simply provide another way for them to relax and unwind.’
Mapping the walk has been a labour of love for pathfinders, Joyce Garbutt and Mal Gyte who spent last autumn and winter walking and mapping the Trail in all weathers, including hail and snow falls.
