Route: Runswick Bay to Staithes
Area: North Yorkshire
Date of walk: 21st July 2017
Walkers: Andrew and Gilly
Distance: 9.6 miles
Ascent: 1,100 feet
Weather: Mixed sun and clouds
Runswick Bay is a beautiful and unspoilt little fishing village which attracts the attention of photographers and artists, and is well worth a visit in its own right. We parked in the lower car park and wandered down to the beach, then ambled back through the maze of passageways and alleys before climbing uphill to Runswick Bank Top. We decided to walk the cliff top section of the walk first in order to take advantage of the sunny weather
We joined the Cleveland Way national trail and set off along the coastal path which would take us to Staithes, the far point of the walk. It was a memorable journey, full of beauty and interest and with some tremendous views along the cliffs and over the North Sea, as well as lots of ups and downs
All too soon we arrived in Staithes. A beauty contest between Staithes and Runswick Bay would probably end in a tie, it’s a lovely little place with numerous interesting nooks and crannies to explore. We debated here whether to retrace our steps back to the start or to return via an inland route. In the end we opted for the latter. It was a pleasant enough walk through woods and across fields, but not a patch on the coastal section and we’d probably make a different choice next time. Nonetheless, it had been a superb walk – one of the very best in North Yorkshire and highly recommended
This walk features in an article ‘The Best Coastal Walks in Yorkshire‘
Click on the icon below for the route map (subscribers to OS Maps can view detailed maps of the route, visualise it in aerial 3D, and download the GPX file. Non-subscribers will see a base map)
Scroll down – or click on any photo to enlarge it and you can then view as a slideshow
The day before the walk, a visit to Birdwatcher's car park in Forge Valley, where you can use the car as a hide
It's best to bring along some birdfood and within seconds you will be rewarded with sightings of numerous woodland birds - a nuthatch...
...marsh tit or willow tit, so alike that they were thought to be the same species. I have no idea which this is, as visual ID is impossible
Next day, the start of the walk as we descend from the car park into Runswick Bay
Runswick Bay
An almost deserted beach, and a good opportunity for Bonnie to have a romp
We wander along the beach for a while...
...and then climb through the village
Looking back across the rooftops
One of the many passageways through the village
We join the Cleveland Way, a long distance path between Helmsley and Filey
The start of the coastal path
Looking back to Kettleness
Further along the Cleveland Way
Wild flowers along the path
Another view back to Kettleness
Looking ahead to Port Mulgrave
...and now looking inland
Port Mulgrave, once a harbour for the export of ironstone from the cliffs - the industry has long since gone
Straw bales in the fields
Looking back at one of the ups and downs along the route
A tortoiseshell, one of many butterflies we saw along the way
Looking back to Kettleness again at the far side of Runswick Bay
Old Nab...
...and again
We follow the path to the edge of the cliff...
Penny Steel
Looking back to Old Nab
A special moment as Staithes comes into view...
A view along the coast beyond Staithes
We follow the cliff top path above the village
After descending from the cliff we arrive in Staithes
Staithes Beck
Staithes Harbour
Mid day and mid walk, a good time for lunch at the Cod & Lobster
We stroll out of the village...
After leaving Staithes we return across fields...
...and through Oakrigg Wood, home to 65 varieties of oak
A road section along a quiet lane
We arrive back in Runswick Bay at the conclusion of a wonderful walk
