Walk details
This 11-mile walk from Ravenscar to Robin Hood’s Bay explores some of England’s best coastal scenery in the North York Moors National Park.
From the craggy heights of Ravenscar, the route runs across Howdale Moor for some classic moorland scenery before dropping down to the old Scarborough-to-Whitby railway line and along to the famous smugglers’ haunt of Robin Hood’s Bay.
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Both here and at nearby Boggle Hole you can indulge in a spot of rock-pooling and fossil-hunting, before returning along an exhilarating clifftop stretch of the Cleveland Way National Trail, via the old alum works industrial site.
Sea views, cobbled lanes, cinder tracks, archaeological ruins and spreading moorland heather – that’s a powerful combination of the best National Park experiences in one big day out.
This is a long and reasonably challenging walk, with steep descents and ascents at Boggle Hole and Stoupe Beck and a moorland section with rough tracks.
Weather can change quickly on the moor and sea cliffs – be prepared for poor visibility, even in summer. The section across Howdale Moor is on Open Access land, which means walkers don’t have to stick to footpaths or other public rights of way.
Dogs must stay on public rights of way on Howdale Moor, and please also keep them on a short lead or to heel at all times (and always on a lead near livestock). They also should be kept on a short lead between 1st March and 31st July when birds are nesting on the ground. There are stiles en route, and you’re likely to encounter cyclists and horse-riders on the old railway track.
TOG VERDICT: From the start at Ravenscar you see the whole beautiful route curve out ahead of you along the North Yorkshire coast, and the even better news is that the walk is just as good as the views.
Nearest Train (or tube) Station(s)
Whitby, York
