In June my walking buddy and I walked 80 miles of the Cleveland Way over a week, we got as far as Whitby. This left us with another 28 miles to finish the walk, as it’s 108 miles long, stretching from Helmsley to Filey the long way round!
We decided the last section was doable in day trips, it’s a two hour drive there, but it was feasible. Our first plan was to walk from Whitby to Robin Hoods Bay on August Bank Holiday Monday. Neither of us had particularly walked over the summer, so this would break us in gently – 6.5 miles.
Then I started thinking! – this was like the night before!! If we could manage an extra 4 miles to Ravenscar, we would be left with two good 9 mile-ish day walks to finish the Way, it would save us driving all that way for a short walk at the end. Good plan…
Only I didn’t bank on it being the hottest August Bank Holiday since records began! We decided to walk to Robin Hoods Bay and then see how we felt.
Starting in Whitby down by the Harbour, our first climb of the day was almost immediate – the famous 199 steps up to the church and abbey. I was really pleased as we pretty much flew up there. You can see the steps on the photo above, you get a lovely view of the town…
We were then just walking along the cliff path, it was very warm but hazy. After about a mile we passed Whitby’s former Fog Signal Station, I must admit I’ve never seen foghorns on land before, it was in use from 1902 to 1988.
Shortly after we passed the lighthouse, this one is on the cliff top but it’s still surprisingly low built.
The hazy light made for some beautiful views along the coast.
It wouldn’t be the Cleveland Way without lots of steps! Although we were walking along the cliff tops, the path regularly went down ravines…and back up the other side. It didn’t always help to be able to see all the steps you were about to tackle!
We had clear blue skies all day…
Our destination for lunch gradually came into view. Robin Hoods Bay is a gorgeous little fishing village, all higgledy piggledy cottages clinging to the sides of the ravine.
It’s a very popular day tripper destination and being Bank Holiday Monday it was heaving with tourists, so no photos of the actual village I’m afraid, just one from the clifftop as we were looking back.
Destination was in sight, just to the top of the far headland…
We finally arrived at Ravenscar, a funny little place, a town that never was! There were great plans in Victorian times to build a new resort, roads were laid, station and hotel built and then it all went bust!
We’d walked 10.5 miles in very hot weather!
A week later we returned to walk the next section to Scarborough. It’s always encouraging when you can see where you are aiming for and we could just make out the outline of Scarborough Castle peeping above the headland in the middle
The farmers had all been busy making hay…
Scarborough Castle still seemed a long way away but it was definately getting nearer…
I was obviously not as inspired with photos that day, but we made it, 10 miles to Scarborough, finishing with a bus ride along the sea front rather than walking 3 miles along road, the guide book suggested it, so we weren’t cheating!
We’re now just left with 8 miles from Scarborough to Filey and we will have finished the Cleveland Way, weather permitting we are hoping to walkn it next Monday.
thecraftycreek 
The countryside is so beautiful, Margaret! Love the villages, too! Other than the heat, it looks like you had wonderful weather for walking. 😊
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It’s a lovely area, it was just a tad hot 🙂
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You know, Margaret, for someone whose balance is off, you’re amazing right near the edge of cliffs. I go into spin mode. More power to you! Well done.
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The path there wasn’t too bad, there were some pretty scary bits earlier on!
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You have made me appreciate my surroundings, throgh the eyes of someone who doesn’t take it for granted.
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I’m sure you don’t take your lovely part of the world for granted, though it’s easy to get a little blase about the wonderful county we live in 🙂
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How lovely!
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Thanks Steph, it was a lovely walk
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SO beautiful! Wish I could join you!
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Thanks, if ever you’re over this way…
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You are absolutely amazing and the photos…amazing too 🙂
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Thanks, it was a lovely walk
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What a lovely walk. I hope you refreshed yourselves adequately at your lunchtime stop before heading off again.
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We did! Lots of water and juice…and an ice-cream!
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Oh those photos took me back 22 years ago. Well done and the walks seem longer with all the ups and downs you walk along a coast path don’t you think?
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There’s an awful lot of ups and downs on this walk!
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What a beautiful walk. You were so lucky with the weather even though it was a bit warm for you.
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It was a beautiful day, just rather hot and sweaty!
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Those misty photos are frame worthy Margaret! Beautiful countryside.
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Thanks, it was a beautiful day
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Hello Margaret, you really amaze me. Your photos are gorgeous. I had planned my retirement about walking like that but then the disablement now doesn’t allow. So glad you enjoyed it. xx
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