England Coast Path - Robin Hoods Bay to Ravenscar
Starting in the busy seaside resort of Robin Hoods Bay, this walk takes in some of the steepest sections of the coast, open views give way to steps down through ravines. Passing through the site of the alum works, the walk finishes in the interesting village of Ravenscar, once planned to be a resort to rival Scarborough, but as you will see, the resort never materialised.
Technical sheet No. 19394736
Calculated time: 2h15[?] 
Distance : 5.45 km
Vertical gain : 235 m
Vertical drop : 66 m
Highest point : 191 m
Lowest point : 14 m 
Difficulty : Moderate
Back to starting point : No
Walking
Area :
North York Moors
Location : Fylingdales
Starting point : N 54.430272° / W 0.532625° 
Ending point : N 54.400687° / W 0.491148° 
Today's forecast :
Description
(D) Take the narrow street to the left of the Smuggler's pub at the bottom of New Road near the Old Coastguard Station, this is clearly labelled Cleveland Way. Walk up the Albion Road and then climb the many steps. Follow the paved footpath at the top.
(1) When you reach the sign for Boggle Hole, turn left through the gate onto the well defined path, You will pass a bench and then descend steps into a wooded area. Continue down the steps, there are a lot of them.
(2) When you reach the YHA at Boggle Hole, cross the bridge over Mill Beck and ascend the steps opposite. At the top of the steps, turn right and cross the road. You will see the Cleveland Way sign. Continue up these steps. There a lot of them. At the top, continue walking along the cliff-top path.
(3) You will start to descend more steps to Stoupe Bank Lane which will lead off to your right. Cross the bridge over Stoupe Beck then start climbing yet more steps.
(4) You will reach a car park at the top of Stoupe Bank. Turn left past the farm buildings and continue up the paved lane. You will come to a bend in the road by a stone wall, on your left you will see a gap in the wall and a Cleveland Way sign, go through the gap. Walk along the path, passing through a gate. Follow the path along the coast, this will eventually turn southwards and dip to cross a beck via a wooden bridge turning eastwards and then south again.
(5) At the Cleveland Way signpost, turn left and cross the bridge over the beck. This is marked Alum Works. Cross the field, go through the gate, down the steps, across the bridge and up the steps at the other side. There information boards here giving information about the site. Exit the site at the bottom right-hand corner, this is signposted. Continue to follow the path in a southly direction until it meets a paved track, turn left and follow this track for a short distance.
(6) The track splits, follow the sign for the Cleveland Way up the footpath.This will enter a wooded area. Follow this path to the centre of Ravenscar. When you reach Ravenscar you will pass the National Trust Shop (A).
Waypoints :
D : km 0 - alt. 14 m - Smugglers, New Road
1 : km 0.43 - alt. 44 m - Signpost for Boggle Hole
2 : km 1.02 - alt. 26 m - YHA Boggle Hole
3 : km 1.5 - alt. 28 m - Stoupe Beck
4 : km 1.79 - alt. 27 m - Gap in Wall, Stoupe Bank
5 : km 3.74 - alt. 78 m - Alum Works Signpost
6 : km 4.46 - alt. 102 m - Track Junction
A : km 5.44 - alt. 191 m - Ravenscar National Trust Shop
Useful Information
- Transport: There is parking in both Ravenscar and Robin Hoods Bay. To return to Robin Hoods Bay from Ravenscar by bus, catch the East Yorkshire 119 (towards Scarborough) service to Cloughton and change to the Arriva X93 to Whitby which stops at Robin Hoods Bay. If coming from Scarborough then use the 119 service. It may be worth considering taking a taxi to return to the start.
- Facilities: There are public toilets in Robin Hoods Bay and near the finish point in Ravenscar but no facilities on the route. There are numerous cafes in Robin Hoods Bay and refreshments can be taken at the Ravenscar Tea Rooms, approximately 1/2 mile from the National Trust Shop. There is also a restaurant at the Raven Hall Hotel which serves afternoon tea and has views back to Robin Hoods Bay.
- Accessibility: Like previous stretches of the coast path, this one has many steps, steep slopes, grassed areas and narrow bridges. It can also be muddy. I have marked this as moderate because of the gradients and the many steps on the route.
Visorando and this author cannot be held responsible in the case of accidents or problems occuring on this walk.
During the walk or to do/see around
- Attractions at Robin Hoods Bay including the beach, museum and ghost walk.
- Alum Works (5)
- Ravenscar, initially this was going to be a genteel seaside resort. Streets were laid out but the houses never built due to the steep path down to the beach. There are information boards around the village giving information.
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The GPS track and description are the property of the author.
