A Guide to Hiking Whitby to Scarborough, England on the Cleveland Way
A beautiful coastal hike that takes you across 26 miles of cliffside, ocean views.
The Cleveland Way is a trail that follows the North Sea coast line in North Yorkshire.
The Cleveland Way is a 109-mile path that runs through the North York Moors National Park in northern England, following the coastline and offering exquisite views of the cliffside landscape. This route covers 26 miles of the Cleveland Way, taking you from Whitby to Scarborough.
After completing this hike three times, I can confidently say that this is one of the most beautiful hikes in England. I would recommend this trail to anyone wanting to experience the gorgeous rural coastal landscape of Northern England.
Overlooking the cliffside views on the Yorkshire Coast.
At 26 miles, this is a substantial walk. The trail isn't extremely difficult; however, the length of this walk isn’t one to take lightly. Depending on your pace, this hike will take 9-12 hours. However, there is an option to split the hike into two days, stopping in Robin Hood’s Bay at one of the handful of accommodations here, the YHA at Boggle Hole, or at the luxurious and remote Raven Hall Hotel in Ravenscar.
This guide will be based on a plan to conquer the entirety of the hike in one day.
Things to Pack for the Cleveland Way Hike
Packed lunch
Water
First aid kit
Toilet paper (Unfortunately, there is only one public toilet available on this trail. Best to be prepared for anything)
Hiking poles (The hills and stairs on this trail will sneak up on you)
Waterproofs (Jacket and trousers)
Snacks
More snacks
This is, of course, not an extensive list and every hiker has their preferred gear to hike with. Use caution and make sure to do extensive research while preparing for this walk.
The Cleveland Way weaves through many Yorkshire farms, you will meet friends like these along the way.
Starting the Cleveland Way in Whitby
For this hike, we are going to start off in the seaside town of Whitby. Depending on where your starting point is, you can get here by bus or train. Coming from Leeds, the easiest way for me was to take the train to Scarborough and then the bus (X93 and X94) to Whitby.
It is best to start this hike as early as you can, and because of this, spending the night before in Whitby would be advised. Whitby YHA is located right at the trailhead, which makes it the perfect accommodation option. In all honestly, this YHA is top-tier. It's in such a gorgeous location, with a full kitchen that makes mealtime easy, especially when in a large group. There are also plenty of common areas where you can chat with friends or make new ones!
The 199 Steps, also known as Jacob’s Ladder, provide gorgeous views of Whitby.
Another recommendation: get to Whitby early on the day before your hike. The YHA and trailhead are right next to Whitby Abbey, which just so happens to be one of the major inspirations for the novel Dracula. Arriving early would give you time to explore the famous abbey as well as the 199 Steps and other Whitby attractions.
Getting on the Trail
As mentioned before, it is advised to begin this walk as early as possible. Each time I have gone, we hit the trail at 6:00 AM. Don’t get me wrong; I am not a morning person, but when you are met with a beautiful sunrise like the ones witnessed on the North Sea coast, the energy freely flows.
Depending on what time of year you plan this hike, I would recommend starting at the crack of dawn to experience this breathtaking sight.
A beautiful sunrise to start your day hiking the Cleveland Way.
Robin Hood’s Bay
Overlooking the sleepy fishing village of Robin Hood’s Bay from the Cleveland Way.
The first stretch of the hike will take you along the cliffs looking over to the sea all the way to the sleepy fishing village of Robin Hood’s Bay. This part of the journey is 7 miles. We aim to get here by mid morning and take a quick break to take a look around this cute village.
Robin Hood’s Bay and its cobbled alleyways is brimful of nooks and crannies to explore.
Robin Hood’s Bay has a fascinating history dating back to as early as 1324. In the 18th century it became well known as a smuggling village, sneaking goods such as alcohol and tea into Yorkshire without having to pay duty fees.
You can almost feel the history come alive as you explore the windy, narrow streets. This makes a lovely place to stop and take a short break from the trail.
The Bay Hotel is an iconic landmark in Robin Hood’s Bay, a traditional pub overlooking the coastline.
Boggle Hole
Upon departing Robin Hood’s Bay, there are now two options to walk the 1 mile stretch to Boggle Hole. Depending on the tide, you can walk along the beach and meet up with the trail once you reach Boggle Hole. Or continue on the Cleveland Way trail which will eventually meet up at the same place in Boggle Hole.
Fun fact: the first time doing this, we, in fact, did not time the tide correctly and ended up having to take our shoes off and wade through shin-deep water in the middle of January for the last little part of the beach hike. Do not recommend that! Brrr!
The Yorkshire Coast, particularly around Whitby is known for the abundance of fossils that can be found here. Sometimes known as “the Dinosaur Coast” (not to be confused with the Jurassic Coast which is found in the south of England), you can find ammonites and other such fossils along its cliffs.
Fossils can be found along the Yorkshire coastline, this one was found just outside of Boggle Hole.
Ravenscar
Now, for the next 4 miles, we are on our way to Ravenscar. During this stretch of the journey, I would advise to take caution, especially if it has recently rained as these cliffside paths can get quite slippery in the mud.
On the Cleveland Way with Ravenscar in the distance.
Ravenscar is a great place to stop for lunch. There are the Ravenscar Tearooms to check out or The National Trust Coastal Centre, which is a lovely cafe providing hikers with indoor and outdoor seating options. A nice coffee or hot chocolate in the winter will warm you right up, and ice cream in the summer will cool you down. They very generously offered to fill up our water bottles, and there are public toilets just across the street from here (make sure to take this opportunity! These are the only public toilets on this trail).
It is recommended to pack a full lunch for this trip, as I only saw drinks, pastries, and snack foods being sold at this cafe. There are picnic benches located outside the cafe which makes for the perfect place to sit with your group to have lunch.
Onto Scarborough on the Cleveland Way
It is extremely important to keep in mind that the second half of this hike is the most difficult. Ravenscar will be the last village you go through until you get to Scarborough. This stretch is about 13 miles. Along the way, you will find little coves, quaint farms, waterfalls, and surfing spots.
Hayburn Wyke is a secret cove that can be found on the Cleveland Way after Ravenscar.
Make sure you take a healthy amount of short breaks, stay hydrated, and eat snacks throughout the afternoon. It is important to prioritize your wellbeing so that way you can continue to enjoy the beautiful scenery.
Gorgeous views with Scarborough in the distance
Getting into Scarborough you will walk along the beach and into town. If you’re planning to take the train home, the station is about a mile from Scarborough Beach. If you plan to spend the night in Scarborough or aren’t in any rush to get a train home, there is plenty to see and do in this beachside getaway as well. Peasholm Park, for example, offers a place of respite in a serene Japanese garden after a long day. I imagine, however, if you are anything like me, you were ready to get on the train home and get some proper rest after this epic adventure.
Be prepared for the stairs while hiking the Cleveland Way!
In conclusion, embarking on the scenic journey from Whitby to Scarborough along the Cleveland Way is an experience not to be missed for any avid hiker. Spanning 26 miles of captivating coastal beauty, this trail offers a glimpse into the stunning rural landscapes of Northern England. Having completed this hike multiple times, I wholeheartedly recommend it to those seeking an adventure amidst breathtaking views.
