{"id":6080,"date":"2025-05-13T20:43:51","date_gmt":"2025-05-13T20:43:51","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/phoenixwalks.xyz\/?p=6080"},"modified":"2025-05-13T20:49:24","modified_gmt":"2025-05-13T20:49:24","slug":"250429-whitby","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/phoenixwalks.xyz\/index.php\/2025\/05\/13\/250429-whitby\/","title":{"rendered":"250429 Whitby"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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29 – 04 – 25\u00a0 WHITBY<\/strong><\/h1>

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Distance 17.4 Km\u00a0 (10.8 miles)\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Ascent\u00a0 \u00a0396 m\u00a0 (1299 ft)\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Average moving speed\u00a0 4.33 Km\/hr\u00a0 (2.69 mph)\u00a0 \u00a0 Start\u00a0 10.37 am\u00a0 \u00a0Finish\u00a0 16.38 pm<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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Leaving the coaches at Hinderwell on a warm sunny day, seven of us headed SE down Runswick Lane.\u00a0 Although we were essentially aiming for Runswick Bay, I had planned a double loop around the north headland of the bay, anticipating some good photos.\u00a0 It was not to be, as by the time we were in a position where I anticipated a view of the bay and the village, all we could see were tree tops and then roof tops.\u00a0 So we continued on without a photo until we reached the road just above the beach.\u00a0 Well at least this was a good spot for our morning break with several seats in the sunshine overlooking the bay although we could have walked straight down the road to this spot but that would have been of no use to those concerned with the number of steps they make in a day\/week.<\/p>

After our stop, we made our way SE along the sands towards a gap in the cliffs.\u00a0 This was to be our big climb of the day as we entered the gap at Hob Holes.\u00a0 This ascent is mainly by rock steps although the path is narrow and with a stream running down the side is not the easiest climb.\u00a0 However it is attractive, with the stream, the steep sided valley and the colourful gorse on the valley sides.\u00a0 Slowly, (certainly in my case) we reached the top at High Cliff and we continued E along the Cleveland Way.\u00a0 We passed the disused railway line (now a good footpath) but I had elected to stay on the cliff tops hoping for good views & photos of Runswick Bay and the village.\u00a0 Sure enough, with the blue sky and the blue sea complimented by the yellow gorse, even I couldn’t fail.\u00a0 Seeing Kettleness in the distance, I advised the group that we would be stopping for lunch at the far side of the hamlet as there were some seats.\u00a0 Unfortunately as soon as we arrived we were surrounded by flies, most of them large and black.\u00a0 So we decided to walk on and look for another spot.\u00a0 We subsequently tried a couple of other places without success but decided at the second that we would just have to put up with the flies or we wouldn’t have lunch.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>

After lunch, continuing on the Cleveland Way, we passed the Kettleness headland and the path turned SSE.\u00a0 At this point it was becoming even warmer and Dorothy suggested finding a shady spot for a rest.\u00a0 Even though we were walking, the flies were still a nuisance and Dorothy\u00a0 had one black trouser leg, ie. absolutely covered in flies, while the other was clear apart from a couple of flies.\u00a0 As the covered leg was on the seaward side of the cliff top path, we assumed they were coming from the sea.\u00a0 Anyhow, we carried on walking and we descended into Over Dale.\u00a0 This descent involves a steep set of steps zig zagging down into a gorge – not easy with an arthritic knee but it did give us some shade.\u00a0 Anyhow, we reached the bottom with me bringing up the rear and saw the entrance to the tunnel which had been somewhere underneath us almost since Kettleness.\u00a0 Looking back, there was an excellent display of gorse on the cliff we had descended.\u00a0 From here, the walk was at a lower level while still about 250 ft above sea level.\u00a0 On our right was a succession of disused quarries while below us on the left were the spoils of the quarries.\u00a0 After just over 1 Km we descended again but this time on a much better set of steps and slope leading us into Sandsend.\u00a0 I had promised an afternoon stop in Sandsend with the possibility of an ice-cream but unfortunately the cafe was closed so people just had to make best use of any food and drink they had left.\u00a0<\/p>

After following the road around to cross the Sandsend Beck, we descended onto the beach.\u00a0 This provided easier walking than I remember from my last visit several years ago.\u00a0 \u00a0Anyhow, we continued on the beach which was fairly quiet despite the excellent weather and then after about 1.5 Km we climbed up onto the promenade as the tide was coming in and I doubted we would get much further on the beach.\u00a0 A short distance before the West Pier, we made our way up the slope to arrive at the whalebone structure.\u00a0 We then made our way south above the River Esk before descending to the riverside where the group broke up, some going to a cafe, some to the coaches and me (the non-drinker) to the pub.<\/p>

A good walk in excellent weather and with excellent scenery.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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\u00a0Click on any photo to view full screen.\u00a0 \u00a0 Move through the gallery using the\u00a0 \u00a0<\u00a0 >\u00a0 arrows.<\/p>