It runs 110 miles (177 km) between Helmsley and the Brigg at Filey, skirting the North York Moors National Park.

Subsequently, in 1953, a formal proposal to create the route was submitted to the North Riding of Yorkshire Council by the National Parks Commission.

The moorland sections of the trail provide a habitat for species including red grouse, curlews and emperor moth caterpillars.

The coastal sections may provide sightings of seabirds such as great cormorants, shags, Atlantic puffins, common guillemots and herring gulls.

The Yorkshire Wolds Way goes from Filey to Hessle, near Hull, where it connects with the Trans Pennine Trail which forms part of the European walking route E8.