Sherburn in Elmet Circular Walk

Michael Palmer
3 hours ago
5 min read

Sherburn in Elmet Circular Walk – Easy 3.55-Mile Route

Me and Lyn did this Sherburn in Elmet Circular Walk at the end of August. It’s an easy 3.55-mile circular route with only around 175 feet of climbing, so it’s a good option if you want a walk that doesn’t involve too much effort.

There is quite a bit of road walking on this one, including a short section on a busy road. That’s probably the main thing to know before choosing the route, but apart from that it’s a straightforward walk with very little climbing.

It’s also one I’d keep in mind after wet weather. If some of the more off-road walks are getting particularly muddy, this could be a useful alternative.

Walk at a Glance

Distance: 3.55 miles
Route: Circular
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation gain: 175 feet
Time: Around 1 hour 5 minutes for us
Start: Car park
Road walking: Quite a bit
Busy road: Short section
Suitable for: An easy walk without much climbing
After wet weather: Worth considering when other routes are muddy

Our Sherburn in Elmet Walk

We started the walk from the car park and headed out on the circular route around Sherburn in Elmet.

At just over three and a half miles, it’s not a particularly long walk, and with only 175 feet of climbing there isn't much in the way of hills to worry about.

The route is quite different from some of the countryside walks we do. There is a fair bit of road walking, so if you're looking for a route where you're off the road for most of the time, this probably isn't the one.

There is also a short stretch on a busy road.

It isn't a large part of the route, but it is worth mentioning because it stands out compared with the rest of the walk. Once you're past that section, the route carries on and eventually brings you back around towards the starting point.

We completed the walk in around an hour and five minutes, although obviously walking times will vary depending on your pace and how long you spend looking around.

Overall, it's an easy walk and one that doesn't require a full day out.

A Walk for Wetter Days

One of the reasons I'd put this one on the list is that it could be useful when the weather has been wet.

We've got plenty of Yorkshire walks where a bit of rain can turn the paths and fields into a proper mud bath.

This route has quite a bit of road walking, so when conditions aren't great it could be worth considering instead of heading onto a route where you know the ground is going to be soft.

I wouldn't choose a walk purely because of the weather, but it's useful having a few easier routes like this in the collection for those days.

What Did We Think?

This is a fairly simple walk, but that's not necessarily a bad thing.

Sometimes you don't want a big hike with lots of climbing. You just want to get out for a few miles, have a walk and be back home without spending half the day doing it.

That's what this one is.

At 3.55 miles, it's a decent distance without being too long, and there isn't much climbing involved.

The road walking is the main thing that makes it different from some of our other routes, particularly the short busy-road section, but if that doesn't bother you then it's an easy route to add to your list.

Walking in Sherburn in Elmet

Sherburn in Elmet is a village with a long history and sits in the Selby district of North Yorkshire.

The area has much older roots than the modern village might suggest, with Sherburn having connections going back to the Anglo-Saxon period.

The name itself comes from Old English and is generally understood to refer to a clear stream.

Today, Sherburn in Elmet is a sizeable village with a mixture of older buildings, residential areas and surrounding countryside.

This walk gives you the chance to see some of the area on foot rather than simply passing through it by car.

Route Information

We recorded the walk using Komoot, so you can see the route we actually walked rather than following a description that has been put together from a map.

The route is 3.55 miles with around 175 feet of elevation gain.

You can follow our exact route on Komoot here:

Komoot: Sherburn in Elmet Circular Walk

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is the Sherburn in Elmet Circular Walk?

The route we walked is 3.55 miles.

How difficult is the walk?

I'd class it as easy. There is only around 175 feet of climbing.

How long did the walk take?

Me and Lyn completed it in around 1 hour and 5 minutes.

Is there much road walking?

Yes. There is quite a bit of road walking on this route.

Does the route include a busy road?

Yes. There is a short section on a busy road, which is worth knowing about before setting off.

Is this a good walk after rain?

It could be. With quite a bit of road walking, it may be worth considering when some of the more off-road routes are particularly muddy.

Is the walk circular?

Yes. It's a circular route starting and finishing at the same car park.

More Yorkshire Walks

If you're looking for more walks we've actually done, take a look through our Yorkshire Walks section.

Every route in our walking collection has been walked by us, with practical information and a route map to help you decide whether it's the right walk for you.

You can also use our interactive Yorkshire walking map to explore the routes geographically and find walks in different parts of the county.

And if you're making a day of it, have a look at our Places to Visit and Yorkshire Attractions sections for more ideas.