Walks
Local Walk along the Ancient Pathways
5miles / 2hrs (or 3miles / 1¼hrs for a shorter version)
This walk takes in some of the ancient stone paths, or ‘monks trods’, that may be 800 years old. They were used by monks as a network of paths between the Abbeys.It goes through the traditional village of Sneaton, with its pub and the ice cream parlour.
The full walk goes through Rigg Mill Wood, a beautiful path that winds down alongside the river that has cut an impressive gorge with many pools and waterfalls. But you can shorten it.
Turn left out of Valley View and follow the road to the small hamlet of Golden Grove.
Just before the bridge, bear right in front of the green doors and turn left on the footpath at its end. Follow the path along the river until the footbridges, turn left, cross the river, and go up the steep hill.
Cross straight over the road and follow the path signed ‘Monk’s Walk to Sneaton ¾ mile’. Follow this path into the woods, over the stream and up past the campsite.
Turn left on the road past Beacon Farm Ice Cream and the Wilson Arms Pub.Follow the road down the hill. Take the path right through Betty Meads Wood.
For a shorter walk continue down to the river, across the bridge, up the (possibly very muddy) hill to the iron gate. Turn left back to Valley View.
Ot to explore the glacial valley of Ring Mill Wood, look for a footpath on your right, into fields, about 50 metres into the wood. Follow the fence line through the fields to Mortar Hall Farm.
Turn left on the public road. When you reach a bungalow turn left turn to Rigg Mill Wood, and through the woods to the stream. Turn left at the bottom (You will see a ‘No Motors’ sign on the trees) and with the stream on your right cross a bridge with a small waterfall on your left. At the second bridge, turn right and
Circular Walk to Robin Hood’s Bay
10½ miles / 4½ hrs
From Valley View this walk heads to the coast and then along the Cleveland Way cliff top path to the charming village of Robin Hood’s Bay. It returns along a disused railway line now named the ‘Cinder Track’.
The first half is longer with some hills and steps, but the second half is straightforward along the Cinder Track.
If this walk is a little long for you there are two options:
Get the bus back from Robin Hoods Bay. The X93 runs pretty regularly in high season. You catch it at the top of the Village, near the Post Office. You then can get off at Hawsker and walk back along the Cinder Track, picking up the instructions from there.
Or….start your walk on the Cinder Track….. Instead of going under the bridge go up the steps then turn right on the Cinder Track and walk to Hawsker. Cross the A171 then go up the steps and take the foot path on your left. You can drop down to the coast from there and pick up the marked walk
BUT The full walk is very rewarding with stunning views of the coastline
Turn right out of Valley View then quickly turn left into the little gulley in woods just past the car park (not marked as a footpath). Go down the hill and cross the bridge on your left at the bottom, then follow the stone path up the other side.
Walk under the stone tunnel, past the wildlife centre; bear left at the stile and follow the path until you reach the road. Turn right on the main road, then look out for a small but signed footpath on the left (across the road), just past the farm building.
Follow the path to a wooden gate, go through and follow the left edge of the field. Cross the stile, follow the path to the right, over the bridge and through the gate, then follow the path heading to the coast.
Look out for the Little John and Robin Hood stones on your left. The story is that they visited the Abbey and shot two arrows to these points.
When you hit the road, turn right. Then take the footpath on the left over the cattle grid. Keep straight on this road, past Whitby Laithes Farm. When it bears right, take the path on the left over the stile all the way to the coast.
Turn right along the coastal path and follow the cliff top all the way to Robin Hood’s Bay. This is part of the Cleveland Way
You will reach the top of the town. Turn left and explore.
When you wish to start for home, go back up the main road to the point your left the Cleveland Way. You will see signposts for the Cinder Track; turn right in the direction of Whitby.
The Cinder Track crosses the A171 then goes through Stainsacre. Pass the Windmill Pub on your right then leave at the wide exit on your left. Turn right towards Willow Wood Way then down into the woods. Pass the pumping station, then cross the bridge and follow the footpath up the slope to the track. Turn right on the road and you’ll find yourself back at Valley View.
Circular Walk to Whitby
7½ miles / 3¼ hrs
This walk takes you to Whitby along the clifftop path giving you sweeping views of the coast and Abbey ruins, then into the town and harbour via the famous 199 steps.
After exploring and refuelling in Whitby, the walk back takes you along the ‘Cinder Track’, part of the old Whitby–Scarborough railway line. This crosses the Larpool Viaduct, which towers 37 metres above the River Esk.
Turn right out of Valley View then quickly turn left into the little gulley in woods just past the car park (not marked as a footpath). Go down the hill and cross the bridge on your left at the bottom, then follow the stone path up the other side.
Walk under the stone tunnel, past the wildlife centre; bear left at the stile and follow the path until you reach the road. Turn right on the main road, then look out for a small but signed footpath on the left (across the road), just past the farm building.
Follow the path to a wooden gate, go through and follow the left edge of the field. Cross the stile, follow the path to the right, over the bridge and through the gate, then follow the path heading to the coast.
Look out for the Little John and Robin Hood stones on your left. The story is that they visited the Abbey and shot two arrows to these points.
Turn right briefly onto the road, then left down the signposted road over the cattle grid. Take the left turn in front of Whitby Laithes Farm and follow the path until it turns into a field, continue until you reach a gate by Ling Hill Farm. Turn right onto the road, down towards the lighthouse. At the gate to the lighthouse cottages, turn left along the wall. Go through the gate and left along the clifftop path (Cleveland Way). Follow the cliff path until you enter a holiday park. It this stage the path becomes a road, follow it through until it forks.
Take the right fork and go up the stairs to get back onto the footpath. Walk past the Abbey and down the 199 steps. Turn left down the narrow lane, enjoying the shops and buildings, and over the bridge into Whitby centre.
Once over the bridge, take the road as it bears left, along the harbour, then carry on up, keeping the train station to your left. Follow this road up the hill and straight over the roundabout. Up towards Beavers furniture store.
Look for a footpath on the left before the tunnel, This will take you up to the ‘Cinder Track’. Follow it away from the town. Cross the viaduct. Continue until you see camping pods on your left. Look out for the small stone bridge you went under at the start of the walk. Leave the Cinder Track, go under the bridge and down the stone steps, over the wooden bridge, up the hill and right on the road to get back to Valley View.
