Richmond to Danby Wiske
Stage 11 of 16 trades the Yorkshire Dales for the broad, flat farmland of the Vale of Mowbray — the lowland 'breather' between the high moors behind you and the North York Moors ahead. Conventionally walked west to east (St Bees to Robin Hood's Bay), the day leaves Richmond along the south bank of the River Swale, passing Colburn and Easby Abbey, threading Brompton-on-Swale and passing beneath the A1(M) motorway near Catterick Bridge (the route goes under the motorway rather than crossing it; the real road hazard here is the busy B6271 junction, which must be crossed on the level), then heading east through Bolton-on-Swale (St Mary's church, and the famous Henry Jenkins memorial) and out across arable fields and quiet lanes — Kiplin Hall lies a little to the north — to the tiny village of Danby Wiske. At roughly 14.25 miles (22.75 km) with very little ascent (~173 m / 568 ft), it is one of the easiest days on the route — widely described as the longest, flattest day — but the long stretches of metalled lane and field paths beside the slow River Wiske can be tedious and muddy after rain, and facilities en route are sparse. Most walkers either savour the gentleness or push through quickly. Now part of England's newest National Trail (opened March 2026), the path is increasingly waymarked with the acorn symbol.

Richmond to Danby Wiske