The Grey Panthers

Explorer Map OL27, - North York Moors (Eastern Area)

The basic walk involves an outward leg from Staithes to Runswick Bay along the Cleveland Way footpath, with a loop down into Runswick Bay using the dismantled railway trackbed. The return to Staithes essentially the way one came out.

The basic walk is an all seasons walk, which is fairly straightforward. There are NO navigational problems, and the only difficulty might be found in the steep descent down to Runswick Bay via Hob Holes. From Runswick Bay there is a stiff climb back up to Runswick Bank Top.

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 the public car park in Staithes (NZ78150 18560).
(Out of season, - November through February, this is no charge for using this car park.)
Exit the car park by the footpath down into Staithes. Descend into Staithes by following the road itself, which takes you to the harbour.
From Staithes harbour, take the signposted Cleveland Way footpath to Port Mulgrave and Runswick Bay.
The footpath is VERY well marked and is extremely straightforward to follow.
At the top of the bank out of Staithes, at Cliff Farm, the Cleveland Way turns left to take you to the cliff-top footpath. This particular section provides some stunning views down into Staithes itself.
It is possible to take the "old" Cleveland Way footpath from Cliff Farm which follows a line straight ahead from Cliff Farm. It is recommended, though, to leave this route for the return journey.
Where the Cleveland Way footpath meets Runswick Bank Top, continue almost straight ahead down the Ellerby Road.
AT NZ803 156, the dismantled railway trackbed meets the road on your left. The "entrance" to the trackbed is somewhat overgrown, but there are some steps there which help you recognise it.
Follow the track bed South Eastwards for about 2 miles, until you come to a gate at NZ820 152 which leads you down to the Cleveland Way footpath.
Return to Runswick Bay along this path.
There is a steep drop down to Runswick Bay itself, though steps cut into the valley side help the walker.
Walk along the beach to Runswick Bay.
Here you can either return to Runswick Bank Top by taking the footpath through the houses in the village, or walk up the road past the car park. The former route is the more scenic.
Return to Staithes the way you came out.
In Staithes, there is a footpath back to the car park which can be found up some steps on the left just past the "Cod and Lobster".