Coastal Challenge - Scarborough to Whitby

If you would like an expert walking guide to accompany you on this walk Boot Routes can help…

We have done this 22 mile route a few times now with various groups of mixed abilities, and it is definitely one of our favourite walks. The only downside is that because it is a linear route it requires a certain amount of planning with cars, lifts, buses etc, but on the plus side there is an excellent brewery at the finish point.

We have called this walk the Coastal Challenge but it could quite easily be called the Castle to Abbey challenge (Scarborough Castle to Whitby Abbey), so as suspected our walk starts at the gates of the stunning Scarborough Castle. We suggest driving to Scarborough and leaving your car there, do the walk, then get a bus back to Scarborough from Whitby. However the last bus back leaves Whitby at 18.41hrs and will take an hour, therefore we recommend an early start as the walk will take between 10 and 12 hours depending on the group, fitness levels, weather etc. For bus times follow this link X93 - Whitby - Scarborough – Arriva North East – bustimes.org

Don’t bother looking at train times as there is no direct route between Whitby and Scarborough, that rail route closed down years ago and is now called the Cinder Trail a flat disused railway ideal for walkers and cyclists. These days a train journey from Whitby to Scarborough would be via Middlesborough and York, and would take well over 5 hours at a cost of £63.

So, try and plan the walk with a friend or a group, with one half of the group leaving their cars at the Whitby Abbey car park (£9 all day - machine takes cards) and the other half driving to Scarborough. There is a car park a short distance from the Castle on Castle Road car park which will cost £9 for the day, alternatively you could park at Scarborough Railway Station for £3.50 for the day, but will add an extra mile to your day walking up to the castle.

At the gate of Scarborough Castle take the obligatory photo then head downhill on Castle Road where you are looking for the first right on Mulgrave Place where you will get your first glimpse of the sea. At the end of Mulgrave Place turn left onto Rutland Terrace where on a sunny day there is another photo opportunity with the bay in the background. Rutland Terrace turns into Blenheim Terrace and at the end of Blenheim Terrace turn right onto Queens Parade, cross over Albert Road and at the sharp bend in the road head downhill on the footpaths towards The Watermark Cafe on Royal Albert Drive. Carefully cross the road onto the promenade and head towards the shops. There are a few shops here where you can purchase water, sun cream, hats etc depending on the weather, but on a hot day we would encourage you to take at least 2 litres of water, and as there is little shelter apply plenty of sun cream. A cool coastal breeze can also be a blessing, but you still risk sunburn. A little bit further on North Bay Promenade (between the multi coloured beach huts) are some public toilets. This will be your last toilet for the next 10 miles so it is highly advised to use the facilities before you continue, and 20 pence will get you into the toilets.

After the toilet stop, continue North on the promenade which turns into The Cleveland Way, continue around the Sea Life Centre and at the Old Scalby Mill take the footbridge on your right for your first climb of the day. This first section is just under 2 miles long and should have taken you about an hour.

The Cleveland Way is well signposted and there are some slight alternatives but keeping to the coast with the sea to your right, you’ll not go far wrong. This next section after the short climb after Scalby Mills is a classic example, at the top of the steps you can follow the footpath left or head right. The one to the left cuts a very short section off the total distance, but the one to the right gives you the views and the sea breeze, either way you will end up at the same final location.

The next section is simple, just follow the path with the sea to your right. You will pass the Long Nab Bird Observatory, Hayburn Wyke waterfall, and the old World War 2 radar station before arriving at Ravenscar. During the summer months there is a huge variety of wild flowers at the side of the path including Harebell, Great Willowherb, Red Campion and Thrift. Some of the meadows and Rape seed fields to your left can also make for some interesting photography. We’ve also seen Peregrine Falcons flying over the sea cliffs to your right and at certain times of the year you can hear the young ones calling out to the adults. As you enter Ravenscar, ignore the first track up to the pub and stick to the Cleveland Way which after a few hundred yards will eventually turn left and lead up towards the road. At the road (Station Road) turn right and walk a couple of hundred yards to the bend in the road, turn left and you will see the visitor centre down a track to your right.

This is the halfway point and a great place for a break. The Ravenscar visitor centre will top your water bottles up for you free of charge, they also do coffee, cakes and ice cream. There are also some public toilets nearby and great place to catch your breath, top up on the sun cream, apply some blister plasters and rehydrate.

Once you are suitably refreshed carry on down the track by the visitor centre, and as you get into the woods with Robin Hoods bay in the distance, keep an eye out for the Cleveland Way footpath to the right which will take you down towards the old Alum works. If you miss this path don’t worry, as you will likely end up on the old railway track, which will take you all the way to Robin Hoods Bay, but you will miss out on some stunning views and the Alum works are worth the visit.

Just before Robin Hoods Bay is a geological feature called Boggle Hole. Descending down towards Boggle Hole turn right at the road which leads towards the sea and immediately take the path on the left that takes you down over the bridge towards the Youth Hostel. During summer months this can be a great place to stop with people sitting out and plenty of cold drinks on offer. But the danger here is to sit down and forget the task in front of you, so be warned that if you stop for too long at any point on this walk your muscles will start seizing up and it’ll be harder to get going again. After the Youth Hostel climb the steep path up through the woods away from the Youth Hostel onto a flattish section. Continue on the cliff tops for a bit and as you descend down towards Robin Hoods Bay be careful on the boardwalk as one or two of the wooden slats are loose. You will eventually arrive at the sea front with a multitude of shops and here is another opportunity to top up on fluids. You now need to climb the steep road up through Robin Hoods Bay, there are various shops on the way to grab some bottled water and ice creams from, and once you reach the top of the steep hill there are some public toilets on the left at the top of the hill, but again some change is required to access the toilets (20 pence) . Make the most of these as there are no more until Whitby.

At the top of the hill at the roundabout head right to the path, and walk up Station Road. Turn right onto Mount Pleasant North. There is a slight detour here as some of the Cleveland Way has sunk into the sea, so instead follow the Cinders Trail for a couple of hundred yards where you will see a brand new Cleveland Way sign post to the right. Head right here across a field where you will re-join the Cleveland Way coastal path. Turn left and keeping the sea to your right follow this path. There are a few up and downs here, so watch your footing on the downhill sections and keep away from the cliff edges which are continually eroding and are potentially dangerous.

Just after the lighthouse cross the track, take the footpath directly opposite, and continue on the Cleveland Way to the caravan site. At the gate at the caravan site turn right and follow the main road through the middle of the caravan site. There are shops here to top up on fluids again, but the end is near. Just after the kiddies play park on your right take the middle road which looks like it leads down towards the sea, this is the Cleveland Way and soon climbs upwards to offer you views of the ever nearing Whitby Abbey. Follow this cliff path and just after the camp site you will eventually pop out at the Abbey itself. Turn right to find the steps down towards Whitby or turn left and about 100 metres on the left is a first class brewery with plenty of outdoor seating, perfect for groups of sweaty walkers, and they also do some excellent pizzas.

Congratulations, you have completed the 22 mile coastal challenge. You will have noticed that there was quite a lot of up and down, in fact there is as much climbing on this walk as there is on the Yorkshire 3 Peaks. The key to this walk is planning, cars, lifts, buses etc, top up on water when you can, sun hat, plenty of sun cream, and make the most of the limited toilet stops.