The Nuns Steps pass through Steps Wood, located slightly east of Marrick Priory. It is an ancient pathway used by the Benedictine Nuns of Marrick Priory to attain the village of Marske 3 miles to the north east, and Richmond, a further 5 miles to the east of Marske.

The Nuns' Steps were in use by the nuns from their occupation of the Benedictine Nunnery from at least 1160 to 1539, when their prioress, Christabel Cowper, surrendered the priory as part of the Dissolution of Monasteries.

The Steps rise 70m during their passage through the woods and so it is a little laborious to attain Marrick Village. They have become sunken by their continuous usage over the passage of time, and the woods seem to close in around you as you pass through them.

There is a short, stiff climb from Marrick Priory to Steps Wood, and the climb continues through the wood. From the gate there is a terrific view across the Priory to the River Swale. The remains of Ellerton Abbey can also be seen on the far side of the Swale, to the south east.

Ince Wood lies very close to the north west of Steps Wood. Within the Wood are disused mine shafts and a quarry.

Upon exiting Steps Wood, the attenuated horse-shoe shaped Garnless Wood comes into view to the north, hiding the 341m Garnless Scar and a multitude of disused lead mine shafts. The nearby hamlet of Marrick was once a lead mining village.

Coast to Coast Trail Guide

"Hiking the Coast to Coast" is a digitally enhanced eBook available from Apple Books for all people who have either a Mac, an iPhone or an iPad, and is designed to accompany you on your walk of the Coast to Coast path. The trail guide contains Ordnance Survey maps and other advanced mapping features, step by step directions, hundreds of colour photographs, details of the route, its conditions in different weather and research snippets relating to places of interest along the way.