From the Moors to the Sea

The Cleveland Way: Helmsley to Whitby

Every step of the journey has been carefully planned to help you make the most of your walking adventure. Click on the blue tabs below for more information.

Tour Details

This itinerary is offered by Celtic Trails Walking Holidays, who specialise in self-guided walking holidays in the UK and Europe. As one of the longest established providers in the UK, Celtic Trails are experts in the field, but remain small enough to ensure that every customer receives an individual and personalised service.

Celtic Trails arrange all accommodation, path pick-ups and drop offs and luggage transfers and provide a detailed walk package which includes a guide book, OS mapping, accommodation directions, packed lunch and dinner options, the daily arrangements and useful information.

To find out more about this itinerary and make an enquiry or a booking, click on the Enquire Now button at the top of the page. The Save to My Rucksack button allows you to save itineraries to view later, or to download them as a PDF.

Itinerary

Starting in Helmsley, this tour seamlessly blends walking and sight-seeing to make the most of your time in Yorkshire. Explore historic Helmsley and Rievaulx Abbey before heading out onto the moors to walk one of the most scenic sections of the trail and then following the coastal path from Saltburn to Whitby.

Day 1 - Arrive in Helmsley

Check into your comfortable accommodation at the Feathers Hotel and explore Helmsley Castle before heading to the Helmsley Brewery Company to see how they make local cask ale and sample a few glasses of the official Cleveland Way ale ‘Striding the Riding’. Overnight in the village.

Day 2 - Helmsley Circular Walk

Investigate the independent shops of Helmsley and get your first views of the Rye Valley. Experience the incredible ruins of Rievaulx Abbey and have the ‘Walkers Lunch’ at its café. The route heads back to Helmsley where there is so much more to explore. En route, call in at the National Trust’s Rievaulx Terrace to admire the incredible views across the valley and look down on to the Abbey. 11.3 km / 7 miles

Day 3 - Osmotherley to Clay Bank Top

After a taxi transfer to Osmotherley walk an outstanding section of the Cleveland Way across the North York Moors, visiting the natural wonder of the rocky outcrop of the Wainstones and stopping for lunch at the popular Lordstones Café. See red grouse, heather moors and fantastic views from the edge of the North York Moors Escarpment. Your accommodation hosts will collect you from Clay Bank Top car park and will drive you to your accommodation in Great Broughton. 11 miles/17.5km

Day 4 - Saltburn to Staithes

Transfer to the charming Victorian town of Saltburn with a vibrant, contemporary spirit, making a new name for itself as an arts, culture, food and surfing destination. Admire big seascapes from the highest point on the east coast of England and head down a mine at the Cleveland Ironstone Mining Museum. See England’s most northerly surviving pier and the world’s oldest water-powered Cliff Tramway. Stop off for refreshments at the Guns Bar micro pub and Taste Tea and Coffee House. Overnight at the Captain Cook Inn at Staithes – a traditional fishing village with a rich artistic heritage. 14.1 km / 8.8 miles

Day 5 - Staithes to Whitby

Experience the Staithes Illusion Trail (eight trompe l’oeil works) hidden around the snickets, the Lifeboat Station and the art galleries of Staithes; squeeze down tiny Dog Loup – one of the narrowest streets in Britain at just 45cm wide. Go beachcombing at Runswick Bay – one of the best beaches in England for beautiful shells, ammonite fossils or even shiny pieces of Whitby Jet. Continue east along the coast, to the famous seaside town of Whitby and then to your guest house. 19.3 km / 12 miles

Day 6 - Whitby

Whitby prospered through the years from whaling, shipbuilding (Captain Cook’s ships were built here) and the jet trade, but today tourism is one of the main industries. Whitby is renowned as the setting for Bram Stoker’s ‘Dracula’. Try counting the 199 steps up to the Church of St Mary – it’s rare for two people to agree on the actual number! The classic outline of the ruins of Whitby Abbey soon comes into view. Enjoy fish and chips on the Prom – the definitive Whitby experience.

Accommodation

Celtic Trails accommodates walkers in good standard accommodation at a mixture of guesthouses, farmhouses, local inns and B&B’s with ensuite or private facilities wherever possible. Breakfast is included. For this itinerary, walkers stay at the Feathers Hotel in Helmsley and The Captain Cook Inn at Staithes – both noted for their traditional cask ales. In addition there is an overnight stay in Great Broughton and the historic seaside town of Whitby.

Travel

Ferry / Bus

P&O Ferry terminal Hull

Then take the bus 70 from terminal to Hull centre leaves at 8.15 and 9.00 (weekdays) 8.00, 9.00 and 9.45 (Sat, Sun and BH). Train from Hull to York leaves at 9.40 (change at Garforth) Take bus 31X. http://getdown.org.uk/bus/bus/31x.shtml

DFDS terminal Newcastle to Helmsley

DFDS bus to Newcastle station takes 30 mins. Train to York takes about 1 hr. Bus 31X from York

Air

Manchester airport to Helmsley

Train to York (approx. 2 hours). Bus 31X to Helmsley (1hr 20 mins)

Leeds Bradford Airport to Helmsley

Bus 757 to Leeds station (35 mins). Train to York (25 mins). Bus 31X to Helmsley (1 hr 20 mins)

Newcastle Airport to Helmsley

Train to Newcastle (25 mins), York (57 mins). Bus 31X to Helmsley (1hr 20 mins)

Rail

London Kings Cross to Helmsley

Train to York (2 hrs). Bus 31X to Helmsley (1hr 20mins)

Advice

This route is rated moderate and offers a contrast between moorland and coastal walking. The walk can be completed at any time of year, but winter usually brings snow, ice and freezing temperatures so we recommend visiting in spring or summer for warm temperatures and longer daylight hours. Celtic Trails recommend the route is walked from mid-March to mid-October.

Food & Drink

You’ll be spoiled for choice with so much great local food and drink on offer. Start with local ales at the Helmsley Brewery the night before you start walking, then feast on the region’s ever-changing culinary delights as you walk. There’s an almost endless stream of pubs, cafes, tea rooms and farm shops along the way, plus the chance to visit some excellent eateries. Make sure you buy some local snacks to carry with you too, because there are great picnic spots along the Cleveland Way.