The Way follows old paths, public bridleways and footpaths, transformed railway lines, riverside walks, and green spaces in urban areas. It is relatively flat. The route includes historic Catholic churches, the recusant house of Markenfield Hall and the Shrine of Our Lady of the Crag in Knaresborough.

St Wilfrid became Bishop of Ripon in 658 and the Cathedral was founded in 672. As a young man he travelled to Rome and became an important advocate for the Roman tradition at the Synod of Whitby. He founded monasteries, built churches and improved the liturgy. The Ripon Cathedral Crypt is the only part of St. Wilfrid’s original Saxon church to have survived intact. This makes it one of England’s oldest Church buildings still in use. St Wilfrid was enshrined in Ripon in 710.

NB – There are two St Wilfrid’s Ways, this one from Leeds to Ripon, and the Hexham leg of the much longer St Andrews Way has been promoted with the same name. Whilst all may share Saint Wilfrid’s patronage, to avoid confusion please note the two routes are organised by separate institutions.

Official Website with Detailed PDF Guide + Passport

Click to download route/s in GPX file format for your smartphone’s map app

Instructions for using a GPX file to show you the route offline on your smartphone

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