(Pathfinder Guide NY Moors Walk#24 9 Miles - 4 Hours)
A very sunny Sunday morning found us leaving Barker Stakes Farm immediately after breakfast and driving across the North Yorkshire moors to the coast and Robin Hoods Bay.
We parked in a pay and display just up from the old railway station (now converted into very nice looking holiday accommodation). £5 all day, very busy, good job we got here reasonably early
The day was very warm and humid, about 25 deg at around 10:15 when we set off on the walk.
The route follows the track of the disused Whitby - Scarborough railway creating a circular walk that links Robin Hoods Bay to Ravenscar. The railway closed in 1965.
This first part is a flat and easy section with good vantage points across the bay at several points. It was a sunny Sunday, and was therefore very busy with families and hikers alike (more families than hikers!)
This section continues for about 5 miles before reaching the edge of Ravenscar and the National Trust Coastal Centre. Here the route turns back towards Robin Hoods Bay, this time hugging the cliff edge and providing long sweeping views of the bay for much of the way back.
The temperature by now had risen further up to around 27 deg, and high humidity, we were beginning to feel it!
Half way along this route back the going gets a little tougher, descending and rising again via large stepped paths and coming out onto a beach at Stoupe Beck.
Depending upon the tide it may be possible to walk along the beach to Boggle Hole and all the way back then to Robin Hoods Bay. Nice beach though, you have got to admit!
Unfortunately this did not look possible for us, so we took the track away from the beach, which is more steep, deep, large steps up and down through woodland to Boggle Hole, and then more of the same for a while before levelling out nearer to the final push to Robin Hood's Bay.
By now it was REALLY busy with family groups, often loud, bah humbug!
By the time we arrived we were hot, tired and ready for a cool ice cream. So after more steep walking through the village we found an excellent ice cream shop, stopped, and cooled down with what tasted like the best ice cream ever!
From there another load of steep steps to the car park and the sanctuary of an air conditioned car.
Despite the heat, a good walk with some fantastic coastal scenery.
However, choose a cooler day, preferably a week-day to avoid the crowds, and consider doing the route in reverse - the harder work at the beginning while the sun is lower and then the comfort of shade towards the end.
TopTips! Honest!
Our Walk Score: 7/10
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