The Grey Panthers

The first part of the walk, from Whitby to Hawsker, is fairly straightforward with respect to navigation. There are some ascents and descents along the cliff-top path (the Cleveland Way), though there are steps cut into the path to assist the walker and preserve the pathway. There are also a couple of stiles.
However, this part of the walk affords some superb coastal views, as well as views of Whitby town itself, and is thoroughly enjoyable.
From Hawsker the return walk via Stainsacre and the Larpool Viaduct proved to be slightly problematical.
The footpath from Hawsker to Stainsacre doesn't follow the 1:25K OS map, in that the map shows the footpath following a hedge-line on the left whereas the actual path is on the other side of the hedge. This caused us some confusion. You may find it easier to simply follow the old railway trackbed from Hawsker to Stainsacre and not follow the footpath.
From the Larpool Viaduct to Ruswarp, the walk along the road is extremely hazardous and great care is needed. As the road is narrow and full of bends, you need to keep WELL into the side of the road.

For a Memory Map overlay of the walk described, please select the above link.
(Overlay made with Version 5 of Memory Map)

Some new mapping software is now available which you may want to try, - QUO mapping. You can download the software for free from the link below, complete with demonstration maps. Having installed QUO, you can import and export Memory Map overlays. Thus YOU DON'T NEED Memory Map to use any of the overlays provided on the Grey Panthers web site, - just use QUO!!

Start from Whitby's bus station.
To get to the bus station, a convenient way is to use the Park-and-Ride facility, where regular buses operate from the Park-and Ride located to the West of Whitby. This runs between Easter and October, so that outside this time you will have to park in one of the town's main car parks.
Walk to the Swing Bridge and cross the River Esk. Then head Northwards up Church Street to the 199 Steps that take you to St. Mary's Church.
It is worth walking through the churchyard, as this provides excellent views of Whitby and the coast Southwards.
Leave the churchyard and ollow the Cleveland Way footpath, cleary signposted.
Continue South along the cliff-top footpath for about 2 1/2 miles.
To the East of Gnipe How Farm, the footpath leaves the Cleveland Way and heads Westwards to Hawsker. (NZ936086).
In Hawsker, follow the street in a North Westerly direction until you come to the road junction with the A171 road.
Here cross the A171 (CARE : this road can be very busy).
You may either follow the footpath beside the A171 Northwards until you come to the old railway trackbed, then follow this to the Larpool Viaduct.
Alternatively, head Westwards down the street on Low Hawsker to find the footpath at Hawsker Hall Farm.
This footpath rakes you to Stainsacre. However, on the OS map the footpath is shown as being on the right hand side of a hedge. This is incorrect, as the path is on the OTHER side of the hedge.
In Stainsacre, head Northwards to find the railway trackbed walkway and follow this to the Larpool Viaduct.
Just before the viaduct some steps are marked "To Ruswarp".
Descend these steps then follow the road to Ruswarp.
GREAT CARE is needed walking along this road, as it is narrow and has several bends. You need to keep WELL IN at the side of the road and watch out for traffic.
Cross the River Esk at Ruswarp. Just before the railway station the footpath back to Whitby is entered by a gate.