Robin Hoods Bay and Ravenscar - 14th May

Walk: Noon to 5pm - 8.8 miles - 960ft of ascent

Today was our first 'real' walk of our 5 days based in Scarborough. The main purpose of the break was to attend the rugby games at Scarborough Rugby Club on Saturday - Yorkshire v Lancashire in the county championship and a game between the yorkshirerugby.net team and a Yorkshire based international tea, but we chose to extend it to 5 days staying in The Sands apartment on the North Bay. 

Down near the sea in Robin Hoods Bay

Dave and Karen Trueman - our friends from back home in South Yorkshire also came up for the rugby and stayed over on Saturday night - so Saturday into Sunday included not just rugby, but over 12hrs of drinking and catching up with Dave and Karen as we hadn't seen them for a while. For someone like me who rarely drinks, you can imagine how much enjoyment my wife took watching me stagger back to the apartment in the early hours.

Looking back into the town as we rise up the Cleveland Way

So Sunday was a case of walking around Scarborough all day, always an enjoyable - plenty of walking during core hours, and then back out for another hour in the evening. Knowing the distances around the north and south bays, we would have walked around 7 miles during the day. Not quite hills and dales, but really enjoyable strolling up and down the sea-front with all the associated people watching, and detours into the nooks and crannies around the harbour. A really enjoyable day.

Looking back up the coast from the path

Well Monday came around, and our luck with the weather continues. We've not had a bad day for over 12 months now - more sun and clear skies, however out in the open the wind was rather bracing so it was one of those days when you couldn't decide whether to keep your jacket on or not. Every time you felt the need to cover up a little more as the chill wind was biting, then straight after putting your jacket on the sun would come back out so 5 minutes later you were 'running hot' - can't complain though, it could be raining!

It wasn't until 11:30am that we left the apartment, we'd not got out of bed until around 8am and then had a leisurely few hours - no change there then, our usual holiday routine. By noon however we were parked up in Robin Hoods Bay, togged up and ready to roll.

Further along the path, not too far from Ravenscar

We headed down the hill to through the narrow streets until we reached the sea, then posed as if we'd just completed the coast-to-coast - not forgetting to dip our feet in the North Sea. For anyone that hasn't been to Robin Hoods Bay it's well worth a visit. We then took the path back up towards the cliff-tops to depart the town along the Cleveland Way towards Ravenscar.

The first point of note was the inlet at Boggle Hole where the high sides dropping down to the small pebbled beach reveal a geological delight - layers of different rocks and soils telling stories of bygone times when the area had been under sea. There was also a small group of school children who were setting off on an adventure trail - great to see them with so much energy and enthusiasm for the outdoors. For the next hour and a half until we reached Ravenscar, the walk took in the delights of cliff path walking, with great views out to the sea. Plenty of 'ups and downs' as we crossed small inlets. We had our lunch along this stretch, sitting atop what appeared to be an old army look-out 'bunker'

Donna atop an old railway bridge with Robin Hoods Bay in the background

On reaching Ravenscar we spent 10 minutes in the visitor centre, spending almost £20 on bits - including both Lemon and Raspberry Curd....can't wait to get back home to try them! We had another 10 or so minutes sitting on a bench as we had a drink and a small bar of Green & Blacks chocolate each - well you do need the energy.

Robin Hoods Bay in the distance

The route back would take us inland a little as our return journey was along the Cinder Track - the 21 mile (I think) route along what used to be an old railway line from Scarborough to Whitby. It's now part of the national cycle network, and therefore relatively flat and great underfoot. The first section was amongst the beautiful Gorse bushes which covered the hillside - I couldn't resist firing away with the camera along this stretch, we were higher now than the Cleveland Way that we'd walked along earlier - almost in the clouds at 200m...lol

Gorse enclosed Cinder Track on the route back

Much of the second half of the walk back was under cover of foliage, so not a great deal to see other than a few cyclists meandering along the route, the odd trickle of water along small brooks, but still enjoyable. As our pace had increased with the good path underfoot we soon got back to the car and were ready to head to Whitby,

So why Whitby and not back to the apartment in Scarborough - Fish & Chips at the Magpie Cafe that's why, a must on a visit to the Yorkshire Coast. A little pricier than the norm, but well worth it - `lovely pure white fish and light crispy batter. Still time for an hour or so walking around the harbour before we set off back, we were surprised at how quiet it was - no complaints though as it drives me mad when it's busy and you're walking in and out of people all the time, having to watch where you walk. It reminds me of why I like walking in the countryside so much, far more relaxed. Now just the 30 minute drive back to Scarborough and a night in front of the TV...