Walks

Whitby to Robin Hood's Bay

By Jon Cosson · Updated 6 October 2026

The big coastal walk out of Whitby: about 7 miles one way, south on the Cleveland Way from the abbey headland along a fine stretch of cliff, finishing down the steep street of Bay Town. Come back by bus, or walk the level Cinder Track home.

Robin Hood's Bay, its red roofs tumbling down the cliff to the sea

Bay Town at the end of the cliff path, the reward for seven miles.

The walk at a glance

Distance: 7 miles; About 7 miles one way
Ascent: No published ascent figure. National Trails publishes distances for the Cleveland Way but no ascent figures for its sections, and its nearest published section is Sandsend to Robin Hood's Bay at 10 miles (16.3 km)
Time: 3 to 4 hours for the seven miles, per Visit North Yorkshire
Difficulty: A fine stretch of cliff on the way south, with steep sections above the sea; the Cinder Track return is level, shaded and easy underfoot
Start & parking: Marina Back car park, Langbourne Road, Whitby (North Yorkshire Council), near the station and the Cinder Track start; The abbey headland, Whitby; 9am to 6pm: 2 hours £4.90, 4 hours £8.10, 6 hours £10.20, 24 hours £13.10; 358 spaces; nearest postcode YO21 1YN
Waymarking: Follows the Cleveland Way south from the abbey headland
Dogs: Keep them on a lead near livestock and on the steep sections above the sea. The Cinder Track return is shaded and easy underfoot.
Toilets: At the Marina car park, including Changing Places, RADAR key
Public transport: Return by bus from Robin Hood's Bay on Arriva X93/X94, or walk back level along the Cinder Track. Check times before you travel.
Hazards: Steep sections above the sea on the cliff path

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About this route

Route compiled from Ordnance Survey mapping and the published sources below. Parking, grid reference and transport details checked on 6 October 2026. If you walk it and find a change, use the contact page.

Visit North Yorkshire
National Trails
https://www.northyorks.gov.uk/roads-parking-and-travel/car-park-directory/car-park-directory/marina-back-car-park-whitby
https://www.northyorks.gov.uk/roads-parking-and-travel/car-park-directory/car-park-directory/bank-top-car-park-robin-hoods-bay

Distance notes: About 7 miles one way.

Ascent: No published ascent figure. National Trails publishes distances for the Cleveland Way but no ascent figures for its sections, and its nearest published section is Sandsend to Robin Hood's Bay at 10 miles (16.3 km).

Area map

Whitby area; the route starts on the abbey headland. This map shows the area, not a verified route line.

The route in outline

From the abbey headland above Whitby, head south on the Cleveland Way. The path runs along a fine stretch of cliff for about 7 miles and drops into Bay Town at the end. Carry the OS sheet and start early enough that the light is not against you.

Getting back

It is a one-way walk, so plan the return before you set off. There is a bus, or you can walk back along the Cinder Track, the old railway line between the two, which is level, shaded and easy underfoot. The Cinder Track is also the best local ride in our cycling guide, so a bike at one end is another way of doing it.

Walking it with a dog

Keep dogs on a lead near livestock and on the steep sections above the sea. The Cinder Track return is the gentler half by some distance: shaded and easy underfoot. More in our dog-friendly guide.

A shorter alternative

Seven miles one way is a proper day. If that is more than you want, the walk west to Sandsend is about 6 miles there and back and flat the whole way.