Jervaulx Abbey & Thornton Steward: Rivers, Ruins, and Sheep Stalkers 🏰🐑

The spring sun is finally sticking around, and honestly, walking in the warmer weather makes these Dales routes ten times more enjoyable. My latest adventure was a circular route starting at the stunning Jervaulx Abbey, and it was the perfect mix of history and nature.

Flood-Hopping at the Abbey

The abbey itself is spectacular to look at—it’s one of those places where nature has truly reclaimed the stone. The walk started with a bit of a challenge; the path was partially flooded right at the beginning. Luckily, there was plenty of grass alongside to jump onto, so I managed to navigate around the deep stuff without soaking my boots before the walk had even really begun!

River Therapy and Flat Trails

Most of this hike was exactly what I was looking for: flat, solid ground with just a few muddy fields that were easy enough to get through.

A major highlight for me was the section alongside the river. I’ve said it before, but I just love the sound of running water—it’s the ultimate soundtrack for a peaceful POV walk. There’s something incredibly relaxing about hearing the river flow while you’re out in the middle of nowhere.

The Great Sheep Follow

Things got a bit "interesting" in one of the fields. It was full of sheep who initially scattered as I walked through. However, once I’d passed them, the whole flock decided to turn around and start following me. I’ll admit, I was a little worried they were planning to charge! I kept a steady pace and, eventually, they got bored of their new leader and went back to the grass.

Verdict: A beautiful, mostly flat walk with great scenery. Just keep an eye on the local "sheep stalkers"!