Running the Saint Aelred's Pilgrim Trail

We were delighted recently to receive an email from Glen, who had downloaded the Saint Aelred's Pilgrim Trail GPX files and decided to tackle the entire route in a single day.

Setting out from Helmsley at 5.35am on a warm Saturday morning, Glen and a friend, accompanied by a dog, completed the trail in challenging conditions. Their final distance came to an impressive 42.5 miles after a number of detours and navigational decisions along the way.

As Glen put it, "I think we ended up walking almost as much as running!"

The North York Moors provided plenty of beauty but also a few unexpected obstacles. On more than one occasion cows with calves made it necessary to find alternative routes. One memorable diversion involved lifting a seven stone dog over a six foot stile.

Glen offered some practical advice for anyone considering the route with a dog: "There are a number of stiles with no easy way around, so be prepared to carry the dog over a few!"

One of the highlights of the day was visiting the churches along the trail and collecting passport stamps. Glen and his companion picked up their pilgrim passports at the first church and began stamping their way around the route, managing to visit every church except Helmsley, which they reached shortly after closing time.

The churches also provided welcome hospitality. As temperatures rose and water supplies ran low, the drinking water available in several churches proved invaluable. Glen described it as "an absolute lifesaver."

What particularly struck us in Glen's account was the sense of peace and solitude experienced along the route. He wrote:

"It is a beautiful route. I'm guessing it isn't particularly well trodden as we did have to wade through a lot of nettles and thistles! This did mean we didn't really see anybody all day other than near the popular spots like Rievaulx, which was perfect for us."

That combination of stunning scenery, quiet paths and welcoming churches lies at the heart of the Saint Aelred's Pilgrim Trail experience. Whether people complete a few miles, a day walk, or the entire route in one go, the trail offers an opportunity to slow down, notice the landscape, and discover some of the beautiful rural churches of the North York Moors.

We are grateful to Glen for sharing his experience and photographs, and for supporting the churches he visited along the way.

His verdict?

"Thanks for a fantastic route, it's a great day out with some stunning scenery and a different array of quaint village churches."

Congratulations, Glen, on an extraordinary achievement.