About this section of the Cleveland Way
- Start : Saltburn
- Finish : Whitby
- Length :19 mile (31km) section
This 19 mile (31km) length of the route is a great introduction to North Yorkshire coastline. You will soon understand why most of it falls within the designations of both National Park and Heritage Coast.
This section can be easily explored over 2 days as a regular bus service covers the coastal settlements.
Saltburn
Saltburn is worth exploring. It rose in popularity with the Victorians, seeking seaside resorts. Its more covert history lies in smuggling and an exhibition "Saltburn Smugglers" can be visited to learn about its secretive past.
The Cleveland Way heads south out of Saltburn rising quickly onto the cliff top. You may be surprised to come across several art features along this stretch. The most distinctive of these metal sculptures is a circle, with ten metal objects, representative of the area hanging and clanking from it in the breeze!
Record breaking attractions
Beyond Skinningrove you will climb up to Boulby Cliff. This is the highest cliff on the eastern coast of England at 203 metres (666 feet). Another record is set nearby. You will see the Boulby Potash mine which is the deepest mine in Europe.
The sea air
Beyond Boulby you will drop down to Staithes, a most picturesque harbour village with narrow alleyways and a cluster of houses. There is accommodation, pubs and cafes here to enjoy.
Take in the sea air once more as you travel on to Whitby. Enjoy the beach at Runswick Bay before climbing the cliffs once more. Passing the village of Kettleness. The original village slipped into the sea in 1829, a reminder of the ever present nature of coastal erosion along the Cleveland Way. Your journey continues through Sandsend where there is a wealth of tea shops and pubs.
Whitby
This section finishes at Whitby, a famous sea side town which prospered through the years from whaling, shipbuilding (Captain Cooks ships were built here) and the jet trade. Today tourism is one of the main industries. Whitby is also renowned as the setting for Bram Stokers "Dracula".
