This stretch of the England Coast Path joins the quiet village of Skinningrove with the bustling seaside town of Staithes with its pretty harbour. It takes in some high cliffs with views across the sea and fields passing the site of the Loftus Alum Works on the way. The first half of this way climbs using a mix of steps and steep grassy paths, some quite close to the cliff edge.
Calculated time: 2h50[?] 
Distance : 7.93km
Vertical gain : 209m
Vertical drop : 203m
Highest point : 196m
Lowest point : 5m 
Difficulty : Moderate
Back to starting point : No
Walking
Area : North York Moors 
Location : Loftus
Starting point : N 54.570802° / W 0.898356° 
Ending point : N 54.559171° / W 0.792224° (D) From the Rebus Boat Sculpture, walk along Marine Terrace and cross Kilton Beck into Beach Road. Follow the road around the corner and pick up the Cleveland Way/England Coast path by climbing the steps. When you reach the top, look back for a view of Skinningrove. The path will now become a dirt track.
(1) The path continues to climb, be careful as the path is close to the cliff edge. You will come to a National Trust sign for Hummersea, Hummersea farm will be on your right. Continue straight on.
(2) You will come to a sign for the Cleveland Way/Loftus. There is a bench here to rest after the climb. Continue straight on. The path turns inland for a while, it continues to climb, gently at first and then more steeply.
(3) There will be another Cleveland Way Signpost in the vegetation, a little way from the path which turns right at this point and after a short distance turns left at a National Trust Sign for Hummersea onto a wide track. This track ends at a house, walk around the side of the garage and through the gate which is clearly signposted Cleveland Way. You will also see the England Coast Path acorn sign on this gate. The path gradually continues to climb.
(4) Go through the gate signposted National Trust Loftus Alum Quarries. Continue the climb crossing a wooden walkway. The path continues to climb skirting a hill. This can be muddy. Near the top of the hill is a marker for the England Coast Path. Nearing the top of the hill the path runs parallel to a dry stone wall. You are almost at the top of the hill, there is a bench. Take a rest!
(5) Continue along the path, this dips inwards around a dip in the landscape. On the other side is a second National Trust sign for Loftus Alum Quarries, this allows a spectacular view back across the quarried area. Cross the wooden boards and up the steps. Continue along the path and through a gate, then pass a stone with an information board on it. The ground should now be flatter. You will pass a stile to your right and then after a short distance, you will pass a second stile. Look at the views to the left.
(6) You will eventually pass through another gate, you will see houses up ahead. Continue past these houses and take the access road ahead. There is a Cleveland Way sign next to the postbox. After the last house, the road turns sharply right, however, the path continues straight ahead along the edge of some fields.
(7) The road will eventually emerge onto Old Cowbar Lane, turn left and continue walking along the road. You will see that the road disappears over a cliff, this is fenced off, follow the diversion. This was due to a landslip. Further on you will rejoin the main road.
(8) The lane will eventually join Cowbar Road, turn left and walk down into Staithes along the side of Staithes Beck. Cross the footbridge over the beck and continue along the High Street to the harbour (A)
Waypoints :
D : km 0 - alt. 6m - Rebus Boat Sculpture
1 : km 0.74 - alt. 64m - Hummersea National Trust Sign
2 : km 1.43 - alt. 74m - Cleveland Way Signpost/Path to Loftus
3 : km 1.85 - alt. 82m - Cleveland Way Signpost
4 : km 2.28 - alt. 130m - Loftus Alum Quarries National Trust Signpost
5 : km 3.51 - alt. 164m - Loftus Alum Quarries National Trust Signpost
6 : km 5.32 - alt. 106m - Gate
7 : km 6.66 - alt. 61m - Old Cowbar Lane
8 : km 7.54 - alt. 34m - Cowbar Road/Old Cowbar Lane Junction
A : km 7.93 - alt. 12m - Staithes Harbour
Transport: There is a car park in both Staithes and Skinningrove. Take bus X4 and then bus 5 from Staithes (Captain, Cooks Close, main A174) to Skinningrove. There will be a walk from the harbour to the bus stop in Staithes, so you could consider a taxi.
Facilities: There are toilets and cafes in Skinningrove and Staithes but nothing on the route. There are a number of benches on the route to stop and take a rest.
Accessibility: This route has a long climb for the first half of the route including steps, steep slopes, kissing gates and narrow dirt/grass footpaths. I have designated this moderate because of the long uphill climb and uneven terrain.
Visorando and this author cannot be held responsible in the case of accidents or problems occuring on this walk.
10.01km
+217m
-217m
3h30
Moderate
Starting point in Loftus - Redcar and Cleveland A walk that takes in some of the highest cliffs in the county
5.61km
+110m
-104m
1h55
Easy
Starting point in Saltburn' Marske and New Marske - Redcar and Cleveland This stretch of the England Coast Path connects the busy town of Saltburn-by-the-Sea with the quiet village of Skinningrove via some exposed cliff tops following the same route as the Cleveland Way. Along the way check out the sculptures and continue with the sculpture trail around Skinningrove.
6.03km
+163m
-162m
2h10
Moderate
Starting point in Loftus - Redcar and Cleveland This stretch of the England Coast Path passes through farmland and along the cliff tops. It links the pretty village of Runswick Bay with the holiday town of Staithes. The route passes the remains of Port Mulgrave which can be visited by a steep walk down to the beach here.
7.8km
+156m
-155m
2h40
Moderate
Starting point in Hinderwell - North Yorkshire Following the Cleveland Way, this section connects two pretty settlements along a stretch of coast in the North Yorkshire Moors National Park with breathtaking scenery. It begins with a walk along the beach and then a scramble up a ravine before climbing up to the cliif tops.
6.81km
+29m
-25m
2h00
Easy
Starting point in Redcar and Cleveland This rural section of the England Coast Path follows miles of sandy beaches and takes in the coastal towns of Redcar, Marske-by-the-Sea and Saltburn-by-the-Sea. The majority of the walk is along sand dunes and the top of cliffs with the final stretch being along the promenade at Saltburn.
6.76km
+4m
-3m
1h55
Easy
Starting point in Redcar and Cleveland This section of the England Coast Path takes in marshes, dunes and a seaside promenade and can be enjoyed as part of a day trip to the beach. From the first section of the walk you will be able to see the remnants of the Steel Works beyond the golf course which is now being closed down.
15.21km
+320m
-312m
5h15
Moderate
Starting point in Westerdale - North Yorkshire This North York Moors walk takes you around Baysdale which is remote and unspoiled. The route is generally easy to follow and it is best to chose a fine day so you can enjoy the views.
13.84km
+323m
-313m
4h55
Moderate
Starting point in Great Ayton - North Yorkshire An enjoyable circular walk taking in the good views from Roseberry Topping, The Hanging Stone and Highcliff Nab with a return across Great Ayton Moor. From Great Ayton drive past Gribdale Terrace and park at the col between Cpt' Cook's monument and Roseberry Topping.
For more walks, use our search engine.
The GPS track and description are the property of the author.
