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Welcome to the Cleveland Way’s home page where you’ll find an introduction to the trail. You can access the trail’s main pages using the links above. Here you’ll find links to the Information & Map page, Trail Holidays page and the Add your information page.

If you’re thinking about planning a visit to the trail, please view the Interactive Map on the Trail Information & Map page. The map allows you to view the line of the trail alongside accommodation, things to do, services such as food and drink, transport, water points and more.

You can also find additional Cleveland Way pages by going to ‘The Trails’ dropdown menu at the top of the page, clicking on the trail name and browsing the pages in the Further Information column. Here you can access pages such as the trail’s Route Description page, Leaflets page, Circular and Linear Walks page and Events.

Introducing the Trail

Find useful facts and learn more about the Cleveland Way below.. Select the blue tabs below for more details.

About the Trail

  • Start: Helmsley, North Yorkshire
  • End: Filey Brigg, North Yorkshire
  • Length: 109 mile (175 km)

The Cleveland Way National Trail is a 109 mile (175 km) walking route through beautiful and ever-changing landscapes and scenery. Officially opened on 24th May 1969, it was the second recognised National Trail in England and Wales.

Starting from the attractive market town of Helmsley, the Cleveland Way heads across the inspirational, and breathtaking heather moorland of the North York Moors National Park, before reaching the coast at Saltburn-by-the-Sea. From here it’s a visual feast along the North Yorkshire coastline to Filey, passing old fishing villages and lively coastal towns.

The National Trail runs through the famous smuggler’s village of Robin Hood’s Bay and the popular seaside resorts of Scarborough and Whitby – one of England’s best coastal towns and home to Whitby Abbey, the inspiration for Bram Stoker’s Dracula.

There are Route Descriptions in the Further Information section of this website.

Anyone who is reasonably fit can walk the Cleveland Way. The route is challenging in places, especially on the Cleveland Hills and some of the coastal sections, but this adds to the overall experience. Whilst the route is well-signed throughout, an up-to-date map or GPS mapping is essential.

You can walk the Cleveland Way at any time of year but if you want to see the moorland heather in bloom, the best time to visit is late August and early September.

Most people walk the route in a clockwise direction from Helmsley to Filey as you are likely to have the wind behind you. But there is no right or wrong way and plenty of people enjoy walking the route in the opposite direction.

What is special about the Trail?

The Cleveland Way follows a horseshoe direction, encompassing great variety around much of the beautiful North York Moors National Park.

Running from the historic market town of Helmsley, across the North York Moors and along the dramatic North Yorkshire coastline to Filey, the Trail is considered a classic route because of the rich and varied landscape through which it passes.

There is a wealth of history and heritage to enjoy along the way including Helmsley Castle, Rievaulx Abbey, the White Horse of Kilburn, Mount Grace Priory House and Gardens, Gisborough Priory, Whitby Abbey and Scarborough Castle.

Holiday Inspiration

Visit our Walking Holidays Page for holiday inspiration for the Cleveland Way.

Latest News

Visit our News Page for the latest interesting and exciting news on the Cleveland Way.

Events

Take a look at our Events Calendar to find details of the enjoyable events that are taking place along the trail.  If you want, you can even add your own event.

The Cleveland Way

Click the play button to see the highlights of the Cleveland Way

DAYS

9

DISTANCE

175km

History, heritage and hidden gems

Discover something new to explore every step of the way, from natural icons and historic attractions to coastal towns and villages…

Try the trail

View short walks on the trail's interactive map or browse the list by clicking the button below.