The Yorkshire coast is one of the most precious and unique parts of Yorkshire. People flock to it all year round to take in its beauty, and us Yorkshire folk don’t know how lucky we are to have some of this gorgeous scenery right on our doorsteps. This time of year we love the coastal walks in Yorkshire on offer.
Walking along the cliffs with the sea breeze in your face is great any time of year. And just enjoy what is in front of you. The varying landscape has some great pebble beaches, gorgeously golden sands, and spectacular cliff views.
And to help you take advantage, we’ve rounded up the best coastal walks to try in Yorkshire this season.
1. Runswick Bay
Runswick Bay is a truly idyllic and picturesque spot, with cliffs that reach out into the sea. There’s actually a myth that their crocodile-like head opens its mouth late at night and gobbles up lost sailors (so be careful not to linger when the sun goes down!).
With its red-roofed cottage community, it’s one of the best and most isolated places for Yorkshire coast walks. It’s a stone’s throw from the popular seaside town of Whitby.
Despite its size, it has some fantastic pubs and cafes, which are perfect after a brisk walk along the sandy beaches and along the cliff tops. Runswick, a clifftop walk along Runswick Bay is on the Cleveland Way National Trail towards Staithes. You can make this walk longer or shorter, depending on your ability.
2. Robin Hood’s Bay
Robin Hood’s Bay is a fantastic place to explore all on its own. You can have a look around its beautiful streets before you even begin to set out on your walk along the coast. But if it’s the glorious views you’re visiting for, you can either start at Ravenscar or Robin Hoods Bay for an 11-mile walk.
Another picturesque fishing village holds a history of smugglers and gangs. Whilst you walk the streets you can think about it’s history and the people that may have walked its now quiet streets. The cove is another one of the Yorkshire coast walks that are a real special treat.
As you wanted along overlooked by the cliff sides, you can take the opportunity to search the rock pools and you may even be lucky enough to come across ancient fossils.
We tend to start at the Ravenscar National Trust Coastal Centre on the rugged cliffs of Ravenscar, and then head across Howdale Moor where there is some beautiful moorland. Then, drop down to the old Scarborough-to-Whitby railway line and finish at the renowned smugglers’ haunt of Robin Hood’s Bay. And keep your camera handy, too, because the sights are simply stunning.
You can also wander through its narrow, twisting cobbled streets and alleyways, and visit its old-fashioned traditional pubs where smugglers would frequent and tell tales of their finds along the Yorkshire Coast.
3. Fraisthorpe
This beautiful walk stretches out for miles. You can either walk along north towards Bridlington, which is around three miles (a great walk for all abilities), or head south to Hornsea, which is a longer venture out at 10 miles.
Over the years, this local’s secret beach offers some breathtaking views of the sea that seem to go on forever. The beach is made up of soft sand
Walk along the beaches and enjoy the soft sands or, if the tide is in take a walk along the cliffs where you can take in breathtaking views of the vast sea, being careful to stick to paths when you do.
Many visitors enjoy a dip in the North Sea while relaxing here in the summer, although, we have to warn, it’s usually pretty freezing. Growing up nearby it’s one of our most visited beaches in Yorkshire.
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4. Flamborough Head
The chalk cliffs of Flamborough are our favourite, and being East Yorkshire folk, we may be a little biased. When the weather is nice it’s great to walk down to the little beach surrounded by the chalk cliffs of North Landing along the Jurassic Coast. Whether you’re watching the sun rise or fall it’s a beautiful spot.
Start your walk on the peaceful cove beach at Flamborough and walk towards North Landing. You can follow the cliff edge, too, making it a pretty straightforward walk.
If the weather is nice it’s the perfect place for a picnic and a little paddle in the relaxing sea. And for keen photographers, this is a perfect spot to catch some great sunset snaps thanks to the famous Drinking Dinosaur.
The beach can be quite the sun trap between the cliffs. Atop the cliffs, you can look out to sea braving the cold sea to explore the fantastic arches of Flamborough’s chalky structures.
5. Bridlington South Beach
South Beach feels like it goes on forever! It’s beautifully flat and, you get a great view of the Bridlington coastline when walking around this side. It’s one of our favourite coastal walks in Yorkshire, which, after you’ve enjoyed a walk along the beach, has some great fish and chip restaurants for you to fill up on, with some fun attractions if you’re feeling a little nostalgic.
Bridlington south beach in East Yorkshire is by far the largest of the two beaches in Bridlington, although the north beach isn’t small by any means. Even at high tide, there are still plenty of beaches for you to stroll along – and have a paddle if you dare.
South Beach also has the best sand (in my opinion). It stretches for miles, although it is no longer Bridlington Beach once you reach Fraisthorpe. At the top of South Beach is Bridlington Spa an iconic location, which has a range of rides and amusements close by, which make it a family fun day out for all.
6. Scarborough To Filey
The last leg of the iconic Cleveland Way National Trail, the clifftop walk offers beautiful sea views along the Yorkshire Coast. Offering hidden coves, sandy beaches, and iconic surfer’s beach, Cayton Bay. When you reach Filey, you can enjoy some amazing fish & chips from one of the top 10 chippies in the area. You can then catch a bus back to Scarborough on the most scenic coastal walks in Yorkshire.
Filey Beach is known as one of the most popular beaches in the UK. The whole stretch of beach is incredible and a stark contrast to the bustling seaside town of Scarborough with rock pools and beautiful views of the North Sea from the cliff tops of the Yorkshire coast walk.
The location is a stark contrast from the busy family-friendly resorts like Scarborough and Bridlington, however, it’s a fantastic spot to get a breath of fresh sea air and a stretch of the legs, with rock pools at Filey Brigg, the Cleveland Way running across the cliff tops, and, of course, the North Sea peacefully lapping up the shore.
7. Mappleton Beach
A great dog-walking beach, and one of the quite Yorkshire coastal walks it is the perfect place to take your upper for a walk. With plenty of stunning views and dramatic cliff-edge scenes, it’s a perfect spot.
You can walk dogs all year round, making it the perfect place to take your pup for a summer stroll. The beach is perfect for locals thanks to the pebble and sand beach that deters sunbathers, and where it lacks in attractions, it gains in beauty.
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