Rupert Parker Explores Biking And Hiking Route YC in North Yorkshire
A new tourism initiative, Route YC, branding itself as “Yorkshire’s Ultimate road trip” allows you to create your own way of exploring 100 miles of glorious coastline. As well as clifftop footpaths, they’ve just launched a network of 12 new cycling routes. Specially designed for all ages and abilities, these range from nine to 260 miles long. And, even better, you can hire e-bikes to let the chain take the strain.
I decide to give it a go and arrive in Whitby in North Yorkshire on a rainy summer’s day. It’s hard to miss the iconic ruin of the Abbey, the 11th century Benedictine monastery, which dominates the skyline above the port. Indeed Bram Stoker was so impressed that he started writing his Dracula novel here back in 1890.
Down below, the town’s cobbled streets and charming alleys are lined with buildings that tell stories of its seafaring past. The house where explorer James Cook apprenticed is now a museum detailing his early life and voyages. And the harbour is still working, with the swing bridge allowing access for tall ships, fishing vessels and yachts.
Walk: Cleveland Way – Staithes to Whitby
Whitby is the last stop on the Cleveland Way before it ends up at Robin Hood’s Bay. I’ve walked this stretch before so I decide to take the bus north to the tiny fishing village of Staithes and hike all the way back. Fortunately the rain has stopped and narrow cobbled lanes lead down to the seafront. It’s an attractive spot, houses huddled around the tiny harbour filled with small boats.
There’s no time to linger so I start with a steep climb up to the clifftops. The reward for my exertions is stunning views back to the village, and then it’s fairly level. The remains of Port Mulgrave, once used to transport quarried ironstone to the Tyneside blast furnaces, lie at the foot of Rosedale cliffs. From here it’s a gradual descent to the wide expanse of Runswick Bay.
The trail runs along the sandy beach before turning upwards into Claymoor Beck, now after the rain, a rushing torrent. The stones are slippery but fortunately a handrail provides much needed support. Back on the clifftops, wide fields of corn dominate around Kettleness then there’s a steep descent through the woods into Overdale. Here the trackway of the old Saltburn and Whitby railway provides easy walking to Sandsend.
True to its name, the wide sandy beach stretches all the way to Whitby with the abbey dominating the horizon. Fortunately the tide is out so I’m able to follow the shore all the way to my destination. People are trying to make the best of the English summer and I pass swimmers shivering in the North Sea. Soon I’m at the West Pier lighthouse and make my way past the swing bridge to the town centre.
Bike: Route YC Adventure Weekender
This cycling route is designed to pack everything unique about the Yorkshire Coast into one long weekend. In total it’s 91 miles so Markus Stitz, the brains behind the routes, designs me a shorter version. He even lends me his own e-bike, a Tern Orox S12, so I can handle the tougher climbs.
I leave Whitby railway station and climb uphill before turning off onto the Cinder Track. This follows the route of the old railway, closed in 1965, and crosses the Esk Valley on the Larpool Viaduct. I then turn off to follow the river as it meanders through the countryside passing Ruswarp and then Sleights. From here there’s a steep climb, first on road which becomes a narrow gravel track to Aislaby.
Now it’s relatively flat, with great views into the Esk Valley and the moors further beyond. I could carry on but Markus has recommended I make a diversion to Grosmont Station. I lose all the height I’ve gained and cross the river and arrive at the station, built around 1846. The platform is crowded as it’s the junction where the heritage North Yorkshire Moors Railway links to national rail.
The station is locked in time, restored and painted as it was in the 1950’s. It’s also where the locomotives are maintained and the sheds are located just beyond a brick tunnel built by George Stevenson in 1835. Within a few minutes I’m lucky to see a couple of steam trains meet, heading in opposite directions.
I leave the station and follow the Esk to Egton Bridge where there’s another steep climb up to Egton. Back on the tops, the wind is unrelenting, making it tough going as I work a loop over the moors. After a short stretch on the busy A171, I’m soon back on quiet roads through Ugthorpe, then Newholm and back to Whitby. It’s taken me four hours to do around 35 miles, and this is a great taster for the longer route.
Hiking and biking is a wonderful way of getting to know this beautiful part of the country. Other cycling day trips set out from the Scarborough, Filey, Bridlington, Hornsea and Withernsea. And footpaths run down the length of the coast, all the way to Hull. And, if you don’t think it’s worth it, there’s a reward for all this effort – some of the best fish and chips in the world.
Tell Me More About This Guide To Biking And Hiking Route YC in Yorkshire
Route YC has information about planning your adventure Biking And Hiking Route YC around the Yorkshire Coast.
Cleveland Way has details about this long distance path.
The Stables Whitby, just outside the town, makes a comfortable base for exploring and has excellent food.
