England Coast Path - Whitby to High Hawsker
Starting at Whitby Abbey, this stretch of the England Coast Path gives some stunning views across the North Sea from its many vantage points. The route passes a lighthouse and foghorn station on the way. Be prepared for a few steep climbs and steps.
Technical sheet No. 19393992
Calculated time: 2h35[?] 
Distance : 6.95 km
Vertical gain : 195 m
Vertical drop : 121 m
Highest point : 128 m
Lowest point : 25 m 
Difficulty : Moderate
Back to starting point : No
Walking
Area :
North York Moors
Location : Whitby
Starting point : N 54.489152° / W 0.607568° 
Ending point : N 54.454928° / W 0.563479° 
Today's forecast :
Description
(D) From Whitby Abbey, cross Abbey Lane and pick up the Cleveland Way, follow this well-defined path behind the brewery and along the cliff tops.
(1) The Cleveland Way will pass Saltwick Nab promontory and then bears right and goes through the middle of the Whitby Holiday Park. At the end of the holiday park, go through the kissing gate clearly marked as the Cleveland Way. The footpath here is less well defined, hugging the fence around the cliff top.
(2) You will pass through several more gates and then down some wooden steps before reaching Hornblower Lodge. Continue until you reach the old lighthouse (now accommodation), turning right and then through the gate walking around the back of the holiday cottages taking the steps, still following the signs for the Cleveland Way.
(3) Continue walking along the cliff tops, take care here as there is no fence. The footpath here is narrow and climbs gradually including steps and a steep turn until you reach the top of the hill. The footpath will now be a gentle downward slope to a stone wall with a gate, go through the gate straight in front of you and up the steps.
(4) Continue crossing a stile, you should see a farm to your right. Beyond the stile is a seat if you wish to rest, continue down the steps into the wooded area, crossing another stile. Descend into the woodland, there are stone steps here which could be wet and slippery, then climb back up to the other side.
(5) You will come to some more stone steps leading down into a wooded area, again be careful if it is wet, You will come to a wooden bridge and wooden steps, climb these back to the open cliff tops.
(6) After a short distance you will come to a third wooded area, continue down the steps and through a gate onto a boardwalk over Oakham Beck. As you climb up from the beck, you will see a signpost. If you are continuing with the next stage of the walk, continue straight. If you are finishing the walk here for the day, turn right and follow the path up the steps towards the caravan park signposted Hawsker.
(7) The footpath will emerge onto an access road, follow this through the caravan park. Turning right onto Bottoms Lane passing the Coast Cafe Bar. Follow Bottoms Lane to Row Posture Bank where you will find a bus stop to take you back to Whitby (A).
Waypoints :
D : km 0 - alt. 53 m - Whitby Abbey
1 : km 1.32 - alt. 45 m - Whitby Holiday Park
2 : km 2.95 - alt. 39 m - Hornblower Lodge
3 : km 3.58 - alt. 63 m - Sharp Bend in the Path/Steps
4 : km 4.42 - alt. 63 m - Woodland
5 : km 5.2 - alt. 64 m - Second Woodland Area
6 : km 5.58 - alt. 60 m - Oakham Beck
7 : km 6.07 - alt. 110 m - Bottoms Lane/Coast Cafe Bar
A : km 6.95 - alt. 126 m - Hawsker Bottoms Bus Stop
Useful Information
- Transport: There is parking in Whitby and a large car park at the abbey. Arriva bus X93/X94, stops at the end of Bottoms Lane.
- Facilities: There is a public toilet at the Abbey Car Park. There are no facilities on the route, however you may find refreshments at Saltwick Bay Cafe at Whitby Holiday Park (1) and at the Coast Cafe Bar at Northcliffe Holiday Park (7) at the end of the walk.
- Accessibility: This walk has many uneven grassed surfaces, lots of steps, stiles and kissing gates. There are also a lot of steep inclines on the walk. I have graded this walk moderate as it includes lots of steps, inclines and uneven ground.
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
- At the beginning of the walk visit Whitby Abbey.
- Whitby Brewery
- Check out the old lighthouse and fog horn, now holiday accommodation.
- Throughout the walk there are stunning views out to see from the various high viewpoints.
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The GPS track and description are the property of the author.
