The Latest

Meet outside the Church in Thixendale.

Route Starts at 18.45 – 19:00. Please arrive from 18.30 especially if you have not been before and have yet to submit a disclaimer and parq form. These can be downloaded using the links in the right hand side bar. Please print off, fill in and bring with you to speed up the process.

Parking: Car parking is in and around the village, as ever please park responsibly and carefully, car sharing where possible.

Route:  Long and short routes available.

Both routes –

1. Head East out of the village via the main road.
2. At the end of the village turn right onto a freshly laid white gravel path sign\ posted YORKSHIRE WOLDS WAY and follow steeply uphill.
3. Pass through the gate and follow until the track turns left. At this point you will see the way markers in front of you. You must cross the fence line here – do not continue on the path.
4. Once crossed the fence line follow the path along the fence line and then to the right and down hill. At the bottom of the hill the path snakes in an s-shape, through two gates, and then climbs steeply again up onto The Warrens, passing through a wide steel gate and then up the side of the field.
5. At the end o the field pass through the trees to your front-right and then turn right, following the signs for  YORKSHIRE WOLDS WAY. This section of the route is part of the Long Route for the previous T.R.Y: Wharram Percy run.
6. Run past North Plantation on your right. At the end of North Plantation the route splits.

Short Route – 6.3K

1. At the end of North Plantation turn right and follow the track down the side of the plantation, keeping it to your right. The track then turns left and then sweeps right. At this point the long route joins.
2. Pick up the markers for CHALKLAND WAY/CENTENERY WAY.

Long Route – 10.2K

1. From the end of North Plantation go through the gate (there may be cattle so please use caution and walk where required positioning yourself at the highest part of the bank and nearest to the fence line in case you need to exit the field).
2. Follow the YORKSHIRE WOLDS WAY and pass the 2nd part of North Plantation on your right (still part of the Wharram Percy route). You will see Wharram Percy off to the left in the distance. Take the style next to the wide metal gate to your front right and follow the path for approx. 1K.
3. When you see the wooded area in front of you (prior to hitting the road) take the marked Bridleway to the right. Follow the field edge keeping the hedgerow on your right and run downhill. Its hard to see the path as crops have grown over, but it is there and runnable.
4. Follow the path as it turns right through a clear opening in the hedgerow, and then coast along the side of Raisthorpe Wold.
5. After approx. 1.2K follow the marked path to the right (the sign is damaged) and along the side of a copse of woods. The path is a little overgrown. Follow until it rejoins the path with way markers for the CHALKLAND WAY/CENTENERY WAY.

Both Routes Again –

1. Turn right and follow the CHALKLAND WAY/CENTENERY WAY, keeping the hedgerow on your right, and start to descend, through a swing gate to your front.
2. Immediately through the gate turn left and follow the narrow path as it snakes downhill. Watch your footing and run in single file only.
3. At the bottom of the descent pass throughout the gate, and follow the CENTENERY WAY across the field, all the way back to Thixendale, approaching the village through the Cricket Pitch and Pavillion.
4. Go through the gate, run to the road, turn right, and run back through the village to the church.

Important Information

This route is extremely well marked and 95% of the route is clear and obvious. a 200mtr stretch of the short route as it turns right at North Plantation is not so obvious. If you miss the turnoff you will need to complete the longer route, or turn back and retrace your steps. There is no other cut-through.

The long route has potential to miss the turning at Raisthorpe Wold. If you miss it you will run through a Partridge farming area and hit a T Junction on the track you are on. If you get this far turn right and follow the track uphill until you hit the way markers which will turn you LEFT back onto the CENTENERY WAY.

Phone signal is poor in the lower areas but good on the tops – emergency number for the duration of the run is 07980 295498. Runners at the front, middle and rear will also be given radios, though due to the lumpy nature of the land signal may be intermittent.

Drinks afterwards in the form of cordial accompanied by fresh homemade supermarket cakes will be available from the boot of the sign-on vehicle 🙂

Surface: Road 5% Field Paths 45% Tracks 50%
Mud Factor: Should be dry! 0.1%
Highlights: Stunning views out across Thixendale Wold and fleeting glimpses of Wharram Percy Medieval Village.
Difficulty Rating: Medium, there are some steep hills, but they are worth the jaw-dropping views.
Escape Route: Long Route – if you miss the paths and hit the road you can keep turning right at each road junction which will take you back to Thixendale without adding much extra distance to the route.
Hazards: Care needs to be taken underfoot as there is lots of opportunity to turn an ankle. Also watch out for cattle and give it the respect it deserves. If you are unhappy about entering the field housing the cattle then divert and follow the short route back to Thixendale.

Disclaimer: Everyone runs at their own risk, and whilst the runs are generally guided, the Trail Leaders can’t take responsibility for you. If you need to turn back and return to the meet point it is your own responsibility to ensure that a Trail Leader knows you are doing so, and to make your own way back. We do not offer medical assistance and do not accept any liability. Please ensure that when running on public roads you obey the highway code and run in small groups in single file on the right hand side of the road facing oncoming traffic, and wherever possible give way to traffic by standing on the verge to let them pass you safely. Please also ensure that you adhere to the countryside code, and take with you all your litter, close gates, keep dogs on short leads, and do not disturb cattle or other wildlife, keeping noise to a minimum. If you sign in with a mobile phone number, this is so that if you do not sign out we can contact you to check you are OK – so please ensure it is switched on. Signal in the area is good. Any photographs shared of the run via Facebook, Twitter or other Social Media outlets may be used publicly to help promote Trail Running York. If you do not wish for your photos to be shared please ensure that you mark them as such. If you do not wish to be included in a photo that may be shared you should make it known to the individual taking the photo, and it should also be marked on the image when published to social media.