This coastal walk follows a popular section of the Cleveland Way from Whitby to Robin Hood’s Bay. It’s a beautiful stretch of coast with pretty bays and cliff top views. The walk runs for about 7 miles on generally good, waymarked footpaths.
Table of Contents
The Route
- Start Point: Whitby
- Finish Point: Robin Hood’s Bay
- Distance: 6.4 miles
GPX Route Map
Download file for GPSWalk Description
what3words for start point: ///giraffes.lofts.overlaps
This walk starts in Whitby on the River Esk and heads to stunning Whitby Abbey. The atmospheric ruined abbey overlooks the North Sea on the East Cliff above Whitby. It’s a very photogenic spot with the abbey ruins surrounded by coast, river and countryside.
The route continues to Saltwick Bay and the Whitby Lighthouse, before passing Oakham Beck and Rain Dale. Soon after you come to the fishing village of Robin Hood’s Bay. The village is very picturesque with lots of old fishermen’s cottages.
You could return the same way or turn it into a circular walk by following a track inland to Hawsker and Stainsacre. The trail can be picked up in the village just to the west of the coast path.
To extend your walk you can continue along the coast path to Ravenscar and visit Harwood Dale Forest. There’s lots of footpaths and bridleways to explore the coniferous woodland with its pine and spruce trees, streams and ponds. You can also try the Ravenscar to Robin Hoods Bay Circular Walk which perfectly combines some fine inland moorland scenery and the coast.
Food & Facilities
There are almost no facilities along this route, so it’s best to pack a picnic. Once in Robin Hood’s Bay, the Victoria Hotel and the Flask Inn both serve food.
