10.6 miles.

Explorer Map OL27, - North York Moors (East)

A delightful walk that can be undertaken at any time of the year. However, for maximum enjoyment of the walk, choose a clear and sunny day for some highly rewarding views.
There is some woodland walking which would also be enhanced by sunlight, - even though pleasant enough on a dull day.
At the start of the walk there is a steep ascent of Whitby's 199 steps, and there are one or two steepish climbs along the Cleveland Way footpath, - but nothing too demanding.
The only note of caution is that on a damp day, the stone flags that line Monk's Walk, - the footpath North of Sneaton, are highly slippery. This footpath is about a mile long, and walking on the wet and slippery flags really does need care.
Although navigation is basically straightforward, there was a section on the footpath between Ruswarp and Whitby where it IS possible to take a wrong turn and add a bit of mileage to the walk. Nothing serious, but slightly annoying if you do it!

For a Memory Map overlay of the walk described, please select the above link.
(Overlay made with Version 4 of Memory Map)

Start from the long stay car park in Whitby, by the marina (NZ89953 10567).
Head for the Swing Bridge over the River Esk (NZ899 110), and head up the street past the Old Market towards the 199 Steps (NZ900 113).
Ascend the 199 Steps and then up past St. Mary's Church. Continue along the road past the farm buildings, until you see the Cleveland Way footpath sign on your left directing you off the road and down a footpath.
Follow the footpath along the cliff tops. Go past the fog horn station and the old lighthouse. Continue until you come to the path that leads off the Cleveland Way to Gnipe Howe Farm (NZ936 086). There is a bench in memory of a local farmer, with a small garden, just before this footpath.
Take the way marked footpath from Gnipe Howe Farm to High Hawsker.
Turn right along the street in High Hawsker until you come to the busy A171. Cross the main road, and take the minor road West / South West through Low Hawsker past the Hwasker Cross on your right.
Where the road bends sharply to the left at NZ921 074, there is a footpath that takes you West to Asp House. This footpath may be slightly hidden by vegetation, and you need to look out for it.
At Asp House, turn left along the minor road for a short distance, then right down the minor road to The Riggs and Long Rigg.
Just before the ford over the Rigg Mill Beck there is a footpath, which you need to look out for.
Follow the footpath beside the Rigg Mill Beck (KEEP to the Beck) until you come to a footbridge. At this point, turn left and follow the footpath and then minor road to Sneaton village.
In Sneaton, take the signposted Monk's Lane to Ruswarp.
In Ruswarp, a short distance past the Church and on your right, there is a signposted pathway to Whitby (part of the Esk Valley Walk).
However, although following this path will bring you to Whitby, however you go, a junction of paths at NZ892 098 will give you a shorter and more direct route if you take the RIGHT HAND path. Continuing along the main path appears to be the obvious choice, but is somewhat less direct than if you take this right hand branch.