Glaisdale to Robin Hood’s Bay
Distance: 20.5 miles
Height Gain: 2,500 feet
Highpoint: Sleights Moor (920 feet)
Walking time: Approx 6-8 hours
Part 1: Glaisdale to Fair Head Lane
Leave Glaisdale by the road beside the river and follow it down past the station and join the footpath through East Arnecliff Wood where you may find Bluebells if you are early enough in the season. You soon rejoin the road, which is followed almost all the way into Egton Bridge. Turn right past Egton Manor though, just before the railway and follow this wide track all the way into Grosmont. Take time to see if the steam trains are running, but gird yourself for a wickedly steep climb out of the village up the “big hill” for which it is named.
Part 2: Fair Head Lane to Sneaton Low Moor
Continue to climb along Fair Head Lane, past the heather-swamped Low and High Bride Stones, before cutting the corner across Sleights Moor and crossing the main road. The path on the other side bends before meeting the metalled road that will take you into Littlebeck. This charming little hamlet has no refreshment stop and you are soon back in woodland. Scarry Wood and later Great Wood hold a number of sights including the man-made cave at the Hermitage and Falling Foss waterfall. It also boasts the newly opened Falling Foss tea room at Midge Hall. Leave the wood and cut back on yourself, north, up the road and onto Sneaton Low Moor.
Part 3: Sneaton Low Moor to Robin Hood’s Bay
Cross the brief section of moor and join the road for a while, before turning off left across Graystone Hills, which can get very wet and very boggy after rain, especially the latter section across Stony Gate Slack. Drop down to the road and follow this into High Hawkser where a short diversion will find the pub in the village. Otherwise use the road to walk through the caravan park, through Hawkser Bottoms and onto the cliff path. The signposts of the Cleveland Way, which you have just rejoined, are not needed to find your way into Robin Hood’s Bay. Follow the steep, narrow streets downwards until you reach the Bay Hotel, where you can sign the Coast to Coast book in the bar – you will need to ask for it – and enjoy a well deserved drink. Don’t forget to dip your boots of course and release that pebble you’ve been carrying for almost 200 miles, back into the wild.