Summary

A linear walk on the Cleveland Heritage Coast from Whitby to Cloughton via Robin Hood’s Bay, Ravenscar, Whitby Abbey and Ness Point. Great bay views.
Difficulty:
Moderate
Distance:
16.7 miles (26.8 km)
Walking time:
08h 00m
Type:
Linear

Start location

Whitby Bus Station, YO21 1DU, North Yorkshire

lat: 54.4850172

lon: -0.6160283

Map

Elevation

Route

1 of 0

Getting there

Arriva bus 93 from Scarborough to Whitby goes via Cloughton & Robin Hood’s Bay. Esk Valley bus 115 goes from Scarborough to Ravenscar via Cloughton. Timetables at https://bustimes.org.uk/localities/E0049476 Railway stations are at Whitby and Scarborough (0871 200 2233, www.traveline.info).  

Waypoints

1

From the bus station in Whitby (NZ897108), walk down towards the river, cross the bridge and take the second road on the left, signed for ‘St Mary’s Church, Whitby Abbey and 199 Steps’. Whitby’s bustling harbour and streets can be quite a distraction, but with a long walk ahead of you, try not to get sidetracked! Climb the aforementioned famous steps. Glance back to enjoy the splendid views over the harbour. At the top it’s worth a quick look inside the church to see its unusual interior (Georgian era box pews and triple decker pulpit). Follow the road past the abbey a very short distance, then turn off left, signed ‘Cleveland Way - Robin Hood’s Bay 6½ miles’. (A) A visit to the abbey will need to be left for another time (unless you’re doing this walk over two days). The skeletal remains perched high on the cliff above the town are an impressive sight.

2

The surfaced path leads you along the high cliff-top to a caravan park above Saltwick Bay and Nab (the prominent headland). (B) As elsewhere along this coastline, Saltwick was transformed by shale quarrying for alum production (alum is used for fixing dye). A path leads down to the bay but you stay on the high ground. About a mile on you pass the old fog horn, now a private house, and the lighthouse. Continue on round Ness Point (or North Cheek). There are now fine views towards Robin Hood’s Bay and across the bay towards the Ravenscar headland. A surfaced path leads past the front of houses to a road; continue ahead to the main road.

3

Turn left down the road to the car park and continue down the steep lane to the old village. (C) It’s not known how this picturesque and popular old village got its name of Robin's Hood Bay, though it’s known locally as Bay. The Coast to Coast route finishes here. A couple of hours or so either side of low tide you can walk along the beach from here to Stoupe Beck. The ledges of rock curving out to sea are known as scaurs, where many fossils are to be found. When the tide doesn’t allow, climb the steps behind the Old Coastguard Station, bear left down some other steps, then right up more steps on to the cliff path. You have to descend and climb back up again to cross the becks at Boggle Hole and Stoupe Beck. Thereafter, it’s a steady climb all the way up to Ravenscar. (D) Ravenscar is known as the town that never was (roads were planned but the enterprise failed).

4

It’s now fairly easy walking along the level and gently downhill, but there’s a sting in the tail at Hayburn Wyke – a steep valley to be crossed (don’t miss the waterfall above the beach).

5

At Cloughton Wyke, turn inland along the lane to Cloughton village.

Notes

Terrain: High cliff-top coastal path following the well-signed Cleveland Way, which can be quite muddy after wet weather.

Maps: OS Explorer OL27; Landranger 94 & 101.

Eating & drinking: Plenty of choice in Whitby and Robin Hood’s Bay, with cafes in Saltwick Bay, Boggle Hole and Ravenscar, and pubs in Cloughton.

Sleeping: Lots of hotels and B&Bs in Whitby and Robin Hood’s Bay, plus plenty of self-catering options along the coast (contact TIC below for details).

Visitor Information: Whitby Tourist Information Centre, Langborne Road (01723 383636, www.discoveryorkshirecoast.com).

Local Ramblers Group: Scarborough & District Ramblers (01723 870156, http://www.ramblers.org.uk/scarborough-district), Cleveland Ramblers (http://www.ramblers.org.uk/cleveland)

Problem with this route?

If you encounter a problem on this walk, please let us know by emailing volunteersupport@ramblers.zendesk.com. If the issue is with a public path or access please also contact the local highways authority directly, or find out more about solving problems on public paths on our website.

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Sharing

Join the Ramblers and enjoy

  • unlimited free access to 50,000 Ramblers group walks
  • a library jam-packed with thousands of tried-and-tested routes
  • a welcome pack teeming with top tips plus our Walk magazine
  • exclusive discounts from our partners
  • knowing your support is opening up more places to walk and helping more people discover the joy of walking