Cleveland Way English Walking Holiday | Walking Holiday in Britain | Self Guided Walking Holiday

This wonderful walking holiday really is a walk of two halves. Beginning in Helmsley you will hike through the world renowned heather moorland of the North York Moors National Park, taking in the fantastic views from the likes of Sutton Bank and Clay Bank Top, before hitting the coast at Saltburn. From here the rest of your walk will be over fifty miles of stunning coastal hiking as you head south through the picturesque fishing villages and towns of Staithes, Whitby and Robin Hoods Bay.

Grade: Moderate

Meals:
You will normally be staying in a town or village where there is at least one place to buy an evening meal. On the rare occasion that this is not possible, we will book you into an accommodation which provides an evening meal (this is not included in the holiday price). Lunches can usually be bought on route and we can advise you of the days when this is not possible. On these days you can book a packed lunch from your accommodation by letting them know the night before or we can book it for you. These usually cost about £5. Alternatively, most of the towns and villages in which you stay have shops where you can buy items to make up your own packed lunch.

When to Go:
April, May and June are when everything comes to life so it is very green, wild flowers are abundant and blossom abounds. July and August tend to be the warmest months, but it is rarely so warm as to be uncomfortable for walking or cycling. September tends to be one of the most pleasant times in the countryside and is quieter as most people with children have finished their holidays. By October the days are getting shorter and the weather is much more changeable.

Getting There:
By Car: You can arrange to park your car for the duration of your holiday in Helmsley's main car park by calling Helmsley Tourist Information Centre in advance (Tel. 0044 (0)1439 770173)
By Air: The most convenient airports are Leeds-Bradford Airport and Teesside Airport. You would then need to travel from the airport by train, bus, or taxi to Helmsley.
By Rail: There is a regular train service from London Kings Cross to York, from where you can catch a local train to Malton or a bus to Helmsley.
Onward Travel: From Malton, take the 194 bus service to Helmsley or from York take the 31X bus to Helmsley.

Departure:
There is a railway station in Filey where you can take a train to York or Hull to catch a direct train to London Kings Cross.

Day 1 Arrive in Helmsley.

Day 2 Helmsley to Sutton Bank.
Today the Cleveland way passes through the gentle landscape below the Hambleton Hills and the splendid medieval Rievaulx Abbey, and allowing time to visit the nearby Kilburn White Horse carved into the hillside. ~ 10 miles

Day 3 Sutton Bank to Osmotherley.
The views from Sutton Bank are truly breathtaking. Following the ancient Drove Road leads to your overnight stop at Osmotherley. ~ 12 miles

Day 4 Osmotherley to Clay Bank Top.
Continuing along the escarpment with its panoramic views of the distant Yorkshire Dales and Teesside. ~ 12 miles

Day 5 Clay Bank Top to Kildale.
Crossing the head of lovely Bilsdale, Kildale Moor and Commondale, the scenery that is so typical of the North York Moors, but with superb views of the lowlands to the north and west. ~ 10 miles

Day 6 Kildale to Saltburn.
Over Guisborough Moor and onto the gentler farmland leading to the coast at Saltburn. ~ 15 miles

Day 7 Saltburn to Staithes.
A pleasant coastal walk leading to the picturesque fishing village of Staithes, allowing plenty of time to explore along the way. ~ 9 miles

Day 8 Staithes to Whitby.
Dramatic coastal paths lead to fascinating fishing villages including Runswick Bay and Sandsend, before arriving at Whitby with its Old Town, associations with Bram Stoker's Dracula, and its fossil-filled cliffs. ~ 11 miles

Day 9 Whitby to Robin Hood's Bay.
Climbing past the imposing remains of Whitby Abbey high above the town, the cliffs now truly tower over the North Sea as you progress to Robin Hood's Bay sheltering between North Cheek and South Cheek. ~ 8 miles

Day 10 Robin Hood's Bay to Scarborough.
With Fylingdales Moor to the West and the North Sea to the East the scenery is continually changing, and never more so than when you arrive in the justly famous seaside resort of Scarborough, with its beautiful beaches, grand hotels and traditional seaside entertainment. ~ 14 miles

Day 11 Scarborough to Filey.
A short final day allows more time to look around Scarborough or in the smaller resort of Filey (has railway station) where your journey ends. ~ 10 miles

Day 12 Departure.

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