Five of the best things to see along the Wolds Way

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The Yorkshire Wolds Way passes through picturesque spots in East Yorkshire

BBC A wide, open landscape with gentle grassy hills under an overcast sky. A narrow green path curves up the right hillside, where three small figures walk in the distance. Sparse trees and a fence line sit along the lower slopes, and the dry, beige grass contrasts with the green foreground. — The Yorkshire Wolds Way passes through picturesque spots in East Yorkshire

It is the land of big skies and majestic views: the Yorkshire Wolds is full of surprises, from lost, isolated villages, to hidden valleys far off the beaten track.

The Wolds Way stretches for 79 miles (127km) across the most northerly chalk landscape in England.

It means hikers can enjoy walks from Hessle, on the Humber estuary, in the south, to the seaside town of Filey, in the north.

So get your walking boots on as we share five of the best spots to visit along the route.

Hessle and Humber Bridge

The Humber Bridge is the longest of its kind in Britain

Steve Goacher/Getty A landscape photo of the Humber Bridge which stretches across a long body of water. A grassy bank can be seen with a blue sky and several clouds. — The Humber Bridge is the longest of its kind in Britain

The trail starts in Hessle with views of the towering Humber Bridge.

For the first few miles, it follows the Humber estuary, which is a great stretch for spotting ships and wading birds.

Heading northwest, the trail reaches the pretty village of Welton and then winds through Brantingham.

The final stretch features woodland paths and wide views before descending into South Cave.

Rural hamlets

Foston-on-the-Wolds. A clear, shallow river flows gently between two banks: the one on the left is lined with overhanging trees and dense greenery, the other bordered by a brick wall with neatly kept gardens above it. Sunlight reflects off the rippling water, creating bright patches. The scene is lush and summery, with tall trees and shrubs in full leaf under a bright blue sky. — A chalk stream in Foston-on-the-Wolds

The path towards Goodmanham is surrounded by rolling hills, valleys, streams and villages.

It is also home to important archaeological sites, including Iron Age burial mounds linked to the Arras culture.

Goodmanham itself is a charming village, known for its holy wells.

According to the early English historian Bede, the village played a key role in the conversion of the king of Northumbria to Christianity, in the year 627.

The kingdom's high priest is said to have smashed a pagan temple on the site of what is now All Hallows' Church.

East Yorkshire's largest parkland

A large, leafless tree stands prominently in the left foreground of a gently sloping green field. Behind it, more trees dot the landscape, some bare and some with early foliage. A small pond is visible near the centre-right, reflecting the muted sky. In the background, partially hidden among the trees, is a long, low stone building on a distant hillside. The scene is calm and pastoral under a lightly overcast sky. — The lake at Londesborough park

The Wolds Way passes through Londesborough Park, which is often noted for its picturesque landscape.

Approaching the village, there are traces of the old Hall, which once owned by the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire.

There is also a good chance of spotting red kites, who are a common visitor to the area.

Medieval village

A ruined church stands at the centre of Wharram Percy

A wide rural landscape of rolling green hills under a bright sky filled with scattered white clouds. In the middle distance, partially hidden by trees, sits the stone ruins of an old church. The surrounding fields stretch far into the horizon, dotted with trees and hedgerows, creating a peaceful countryside scene. — A ruined church stands at the centre of Wharram Percy

Dry valleys are a special feature of the Wolds, with their calcium-rich soils, which result in a lush carpet of summer wildflowers.

Beyond Thixendale village, the Wolds Way reaches the highest point on the walk at 700ft (213m) before descending into Deepdale, where visitors can discover the deserted village of Wharram Percy.

The settlement was largely abandoned in the 15th Century and only the ruined walls of St Martin's Church remain above ground.

Archaeologists have been crawling over it for years and it is one of the most studied medieval sites in Britain.