Boxing Day promised to be a fine day – perfect for a winter walk. I was up earlyish – unlike the rest of the family I’m not one for lying in. After breakfast I made up some butties, packed my rucksac and leaving the house, walked the short distance to the start of the Cinder track – the former railway line to Scarborough which has now been converted into a footpath/ cycle track. It was a bright and sunny with a blue sky, which meant it was cold and frosty with some ice underfoot, but I was well wrapped up and as I walked I soon warmed up.
The start of the path was up the steps on to the old railway line embankment
Scarborough was a bit far for my walk! but I’d planned a route walking on the track as far as the village of Hawkser where I’d cut across to the coastal path, along which I’d return to Whitby.
The view over Whitby towards the Abbey from the start of the Cinder Track
Going through a cutting
Before long I reached the viaduct over the Esk
Looking down on the River Esk with the railway line running beside it, heading towards the North Yorkshire Moors. The village of Ruswarp in the distance.
Looking over to the North Yorkshire moors
Railway carriages standing at the old station just before Hawkser. There’s an information centre her with a cafe (closed!) and where you can hire bikes. The carriages are holiday lets!
Reaching Hawkser, I crossed over the main road, rejoined the track for a short distance before leaving it to take a track through farmland heading towards the coast.
Reaching a farm, the path cut across fields towards the coast
I joined the coastal path an set off towards Whitby. The path is part of the Cleveland Way which crosses the moors and then follows the cpast to Scarborough and on to Filey
Looking back
It wasn’t all easy going. There were plenty of ups and downs and it was very muddy underfoot. I had to be careful not to slip and slide over the cliffs! I regreted leaving my walking poles behind (I had actually brought them with us but they were in the boot of the car)
Passing the lighthouse. It’s still operational and there’s two holiday cottages – one either side of the tower. Foghorn lodge a little further along the cliffs, has been converted into a family home (luckily the foghorn was taken out of operation in 1997
Foghorn lodge ahead
Continuing along the cliffs
Approaching Saltwick Bay
I diverted down on to the beach
No fossils to be found on the beach today
Back up on the coastal path
Getting closer to Whitby now
Looking down on the reamins of a shipwreck. There’s a couple of people down there as well. I hope they were keeping an eye on the tide that was starting to come in.
Passing the Abbey
St Mary’s church
Looking down on the harbour piers from the churchyard
Looking down towards Whitby
Heading down the 199 steps
Plenty of people on their way up on a fine day
At the bottom of the steps I made my way through the busy streets of the old town, crossed over the bridge and made my way back to our holiday home for a well earned brew!
Probably a longer walk than my hip would put up with these days, but otherwise within my reduced capacities. Nice weather, nice photos, nice experience. I’m envious.
I’m trying to make the most of being able to manage longer walks. I’m getting older and you never know how long you’re going to be in good health.
Pity about your hip
Down by the Dougie 
Probably a longer walk than my hip would put up with these days, but otherwise within my reduced capacities. Nice weather, nice photos, nice experience. I’m envious.
I’m trying to make the most of being able to manage longer walks. I’m getting older and you never know how long you’re going to be in good health.
Pity about your hip
I bet the rest of the family were quite envious of that walk on such a beautiful winter’s day. I certainly am.
They preferred the lie in. I’m the only walker in the family. Luckily I don’t mind being on my own 😉
A lovely walk on a beautiful morning with great views – it would be a shame to stay in bed and miss it all 🙂
Too true Eunice.
Great to read and to saw the pictures .
“Looking down towards Whitby” is my fav of all.
Thanks Neha 😀
I was thinking “my kind of walk” till you got to the mud and the potential for slipping over the edge! Gorgeous coastal scenery.
There’s always an element of danger 😬 in my walks 🤣🤣🤣
Daredevil!
😈
Cracking walk – a great combination of interest and scenery. No better way to spend a sunny Boxing Day
Absolutely!
We stayed at Hawsker in October and walked the other way to Robin Hood’s Bay. Hopefully if we stay there again we can walk your route. 🙂 Looks great.
It’s a good route with some variation. Best try it when it’s not so muddy on the coastal path!
Amazing views 😍. You were lucky with the weather. The weather in Cumbria was awful during Christmas break.
The weather is often different on the two sides of the country even though it’s not a long way as the crow flys