General Information The Cleveland Way is a horseshoe-shaped route around the edge of the North York Moors National Park. Beginning in the old market town of Helmsley, the trail follows the western escarpment of the North York Moors to meet the coast at Saltburn-by-the-Sea, and then takes in the whole of the North Yorkshire and Cleveland Heritage Coast to finish at the Victorian seaside town of Filey.
The first half of the Cleveland Way through the North York Moors from Helmsley to Saltburn-by-the-Sea passes through woodland, lush green dales and spectacular heather moorland. Around every corner lies something of interest; a ruined castle, an ancient abbey, the White Horse of Kilburn, an old drove ‘road’, a priory, ancient stone markers and crosses, rocky escarpments with far-reaching views, traces of alum, jet and ironstone mining, prehistoric burial mounds, or a grouse flying across the path.
The second half of the Cleveland Way from Saltburn-by-the-Sea to Filey, follows a rugged coast of high cliffs, wide sandy bays and wooded ‘wykes’. Picturesque fishing villages with steep, winding streets and tightly packed cottages; the old whaling port of Whitby, with its imposing abbey, Captain Cook Museum and St Mary’s Church whose interior was altered in 1612 to resemble the lower deck of a wooden sailing ship, add to the charm of this delightful walk.
Travel Information Total distance: 110 miles (176km) Duration: 8 nights, 7 days walking Minimum/maximum daily distances: 11 miles (17.5km)/21 ½ miles (34.5km) Starting point of holiday: Helmsley End of holiday: Filey Most convenient major city and International airports: (1) Leeds - Bradford Airport or (2) Teeside International Airport. (1) Leeds - Bradford Airport, then Airlink 757 bus to Leeds railway station. Train from Leeds to Malton (55 minutes), then bus (or taxi) to Helmsley. (2) Teeside International Airport, then bus (or taxi) to Darlington railway station. Train from Darlington to Malton (1 hour 10 minutes), then bus (or taxi) to Helmsley.
Outward journey from Hull (North Sea Ferries) to Malton: North Sea Ferries Bus 19 to Hull railway station. Train to Malton (2 hours), then bus (or taxi) to Helmsley. Return journey from Filey to Hull (North Sea Ferries): Train from Filey to Hull (1 hour 15 minutes), then bus to ferry terminal.
Outward journey from London to Malton: Train from London Euston to York, then change trains for Malton (2 ½ hours). Bus (or taxi) to Helmsley.
Return journey to London at the end of the holiday: There is a frequent train service from Filey to London King’s Cross. The journey takes about 3 ½ hours.
Travelling by car: There is a car park on the north side of Helmsley at the start of the Cleveland Way. Weekly parking tickets are available from Helmsley Tourist Information Centre. If you are leaving your car for more than a week, you should inform the Police in Helmsley (Tel: 01439 70310). You will be able to return to your car in Helmsley by catching a bus from Filey.
Season: March to October Waymarking: The trail is waymarked with National Trail acorn symbols and is very easy to follow.
Itinerary Day 1: Travel to Helmsley, where your first nights accommodation has been booked.
Day 2: Helmsley to Osmotherley. 21½ miles (34.5km).
Day 3: Osmotherley to Clay Bank Top. 11 miles (17.5km).
Day 4: Clay Bank Top to Roseberry Topping. 13½ miles (21.5km).
Day 5: Roseberry Topping to Staithes. 19¼ miles (31km).
Day 6: Staithes to Robin Hood’s Bay. 18½ miles (29.5km).
Day 7: Robin Hood’s Bay to Scarborough. 14¼ miles (23km).
Day 8: Scarborough to Filey. 12 miles (19km)
Day 9: Depart from Filey after breakfast
Accommodation & Meals 8 nights accommodation in en-suite rooms with private bathrooms (where available) in selected hotels, inns, guesthouses and farmhouse B&B’s. Full English breakfast.
What’s Included Door to door luggage transfer along the trail. A set of maps with the route marked on and a guidebook describing the trail. An information pack containing an itinerary, detailed instructions on how to find your accommodation each night, town plans, information about facilities and places of interest along the trail and a kit list. Detailed travel instructions on how to get to the start of your holiday and back from the end of it.
