Explore The Cinder Track

Do you love to walk, run or cycle when you are on holiday?

Then you will love The Cinder Track.

The Cinder Track

The Cinder Track was once the old railway line which ran from Whitby to Scarborough. The track spans 21.5 miles in total. 

All along The Cinder Track you will find remnants of the days when it was a functioning railway line. The odd section of track and sleepers, you will see old stations, platforms and bridges. There are stretches of woodland, moorland, sea views, fields and meadows. It is also possible to join The Cleveland Way whichever direction you decide to walk. You may just fancy combining the two on your adventure. 

You may be lucky enough to see a whole range of wildlife and vegetation depending on the time of year.

The Cinder Track is a reasonably accessible trail particularly from the Whitby and Scarborough access points. 

Click Here for a map and more information on the history of The Cinder Track. You can also download the Love Exploring App to find out more. 

Robin Hood’s Bay

Perched on the coast between the surrounding cliffs of Scarborough and Whitby sits  a beautiful Bay. The backdrop of the Bay is the old Yorkshire fishing village Robin Hood’s Bay. Built on a steep hill the old 17th Century lower village heads down to the Bay. Winding streets, steep steps and cobbled alleyways make up what was once called Baytown. A maze of a village it’s easy to get lost here in Robin Hood’s Bay. Just all part of the magic of what makes it so special.

The upper village of Robin Hood’s Bay is predominantly Victorian, boasting large Victorian terraced, detached and semi detached houses. Here is where you can start your journey  along The Cinder Track. 

Heading towards Whitby you can pick up The Cinder Track at the end of Mount Pleasant North.

Heading towards Ravenscar and Scarborough you can pick up The Cinder Track at Station car park. Here you can see the old Station buildings.

The Robin Hood's Bay to Fylinghall section of the track is about 1.5 miles long and makes for an idyllic stroll.

Signposted Along The Way

The Cinder Track is well sign posted throughout so you know the route you are following.  You will also find signposted along the way:

• Places to visit

• Points of interests

• Places to stay

• Food and drink stops 

• Distance 

• How to share with care 

Other facilities may also be signposted.

Hawsker & Stainsacre

Hawsker is the next village from Robin Hood’s Bay heading towards Whitby. You will be graced with some of the very same spectacular views as The Cleveland Way just without the heights. 

You have two options here for eating and drinking. 

Head in to High Hawsker for the Hare & Hounds. A traditional dog friendly country pub serving a whole range of dishes all homemade with local produce:

• Pub Classics

• A la carte dishes

• Daily specials board

• Traditional Sunday lunch

• Special events & themed nights

Coast is a licensed cafe bar situated close to The Cinder Track with spacious outdoor and indoor seating. Coast Cafe Bar serves a selection of:

• Breakfast & lunch dishes

• Full English breakfasts

• Lighter breakfasts

• Hot & cold sandwiches

• Selection of side orders

• Selection of mains dishes

• Hot & cold beverages

• Cake selection

Towards Stainsacre you will be graced with views towards Whitby including the very Gothic ruins of Whitby Abbey. 

Feeling peckish? Pop in to The Windmill Inn situated just off The Cinder Track. A dog friendly venue serving a range of home cooked lunch*, evening meals and Sunday lunch. The  Windmill also boasts a large beer garden.

*midweek lunch may be seasonal 

Whitby

Robin Hood's Bay sits about 6.5 miles from the entry point of the track in Whitby. 

If you choose to walk the track to or from Whitby you'll cross the Viaduct with arches that  tower spectacularly above the River Esk. You will be graced with views towards Whitby Abbey and also over the picturesque Esk Valley. 

Heading towards Whitby as you leave the track head straight down into Whitby Town. There is so much to discover here in Whitby. Once the home of Captain Cook, Inspiration for Lewis Carroll and Bram Stoker's Dracula. 

There is an abundance of places to eat and drink in Whitby. Our recommendation has to be the world famous Fish ‘n’ Chips and you can’t really go wrong with any of the Fish ‘n’ Chip shops or restaurants here. 

Feeling super fit? Have a head for heights? Pick up the The Cleveland Way National Trail from the top of the 199 Steps to Whitby Abbey and head back to Robin Hood’s Bay.

Ravenscar

Ravenscar is approximately a 4.5 mile walk from Robin Hood's Bay or 9 miles there and back. This isn’t a light stroll but is much kinder on the legs than The Cleveland Way. You will get some of the same spectacular views as The Cleveland Way. 

Once you reach Ravenscar you will be met with the most stunning view across the Bay. Robin Hood's Bay stacked up houses and red pantiled rooftops tumbling down towards the sea. A picture perfect view of your favourite Yorkshire Coast village.

Close by you have the old Alum Works. It is also possible to see colonies of Grey and Common Seals nearby. Explore the grounds of The Ravenhall Country House Hotel. And discover The Town That Never Was. 

Feeling peckish? Head to:

The Ravenhall Country House Hotel: 

There are lots of options here, Afternoon Tea, light lunches,  a la carte menu, Sunday carvery all while enjoying the view. 

The National Trust Ravenscar Visitor Center:

Light bites, snacks, hot and cold beverages.

Ravenscar Tea Rooms:

The dog friendly Tea Rooms serves a selection of hot and cold food and drink. Breakfasts, light lunches and a changing selection of cakes and traybakes. 

Hayburn Wyke & Cloughton

Hayburn Wyke is approximately 8 miles from Robin Hood’s Bay and 7 miles from Scarborough. Take time to explore this secluded spot and head down to the beach. By no means a sandy beach this spot more than makes up for what it does not have in sand in beauty. Don’t let the fact this beach is rocky put you off. There is a beautiful waterfall here and more often than not you’ll find this spot to be very quiet and peaceful.

Hayburn Wyke & Cloughton

Hayburn Wyke is approximately 8 miles from Robin Hood’s Bay and 7 miles from Scarborough. Take time to explore this secluded spot and head down to the beach. By no means a sandy beach this spot more than makes up for what it does not have in sand in beauty. Don’t let the fact this beach is rocky put you off. There is a beautiful waterfall here and more often than not you’ll find this spot to be very quiet and peaceful.

Worked up an appetite: 

The dog friendly Hayburn Wyke Pub serves traditional pub fare from light lunches to hearty pub meals.  There is also a large beer garden and children's play area. 

Cloughton is another 2 miles on and just 5 miles from Scarborough. 

It is possible to pick up The Cleveland Way from both Hayburn Wyke and Cloughton. 

Feeling Hungry:

The Bryherstones Country Inn at Cloughton is a must. Light bites through to hearty meals, daily specials and Sunday Lunch. All homemade with quality local produce. 

Burnsiton & Scalby

Burniston and Scalby are pretty little villages. Both sit in the Scarborough section of The Cinder Track. 

Just off The Cinder Track you will find: 

Burniston:

Three Jolly Sailors Pub & The Oakwheel Pub. Both serve a selection of traditional pub meals. 

Scalby:

Scalby Manor is a Stonehouse Pizza & Carvery serving a range of meals:

• Breakfast

• Traditional Pub Meals

• Stonebaked Pizzas

• Carvery

The Plough Inn: 

The Plough Inn serves a whole host of delicious meals:

• Tapas

• Small Plates 

• Big Plates

• Selection of Sides

• Saturday Lunches

• Sunday Dinner

• Evening Specials

Scarborough 

The access or exit point is close to Sainbury's and the Railway Station. Here you are not too far from the center of Scarborough. A traditional Victorian seaside town and a reasonably short walk away. Head down to the seafront and enjoy a stroll along the prom. Explore the old town and the harbour. Spend some pennies in the arcades. 

Worked up a huge appetite?

There are just too many places to choose from but we do have one recommendation. If you love ice cream then you have to visit The Harbour Bar. Ice-creams and Sundaes galore. Very retro and you will not be disappointed. 


Getting There & Back

Robin Hood’s Bay has its own Taxi service. Bay Taxis they will pick in both the lower and upper villages of Robin Hood’s Bay.

Contact: 

01947 880603

info-@bay-taxis.co.uk

The X93 Bus Service runs from Middlesbrough to Scarborough. Here are the main bus stops for accessing locations along The Cinder Track: 

Bus Station - Whitby

Fairfield Way - Whitby - Nearest stop to Stainsacre

Swan Farm - High Hawsker

Thorpe Lane - Robin Hood’s Bay

St Stephens Church - Fylingthorpe

The Falcon - Staintondale - Nearest stop to Ravenscar

The Red Lion - Cloughton

Three Jolly Sailors - Burniston

Barmoor Lane - Scalby 

Railway Station - Scarborough 

Cycle Hire 

The lower village of Robin Hood’s Bay doesn’t lend itself well to the storage and cleaning of bicycles. Although it isn’t impossible, properties with outside space are less common in the lower village. 

Bay Cycle Hire:

Bay Cycle Hire offers a pre book cycle hire service situated on Station Road in upper Robin Hood’s Bay.  

Bay Cycle Hire are happy to provide information on The Cinder Track and also The Moor To Sea cycle network.

Contact:

01947 880678

07729 479618

baycyclehirerhb@gmail.com

Share With Care

Along The Cinder Track you will see signposts on how you can Share With Care when using The Cinder Track. Here’s how you too can Share With Care:

Horse Riders:

• Be visible
• Give way to pedestrians
• Keep your pace slow in busy areas

Walkers & Runners:

• Keep dogs under close control
• Walk single file in busy areas
• Be alert for other approaching users

Cyclists:

• Give way to pedestrians and horse riders
• Signal your approach in good time
• Slow down when passing others
• Take extra care to control your speed on downhill sections

Respect:

• Be courteous
• Take care passing others
• Keep to the left where possible
• Park responsibly and do not block access gates
• Take your litter home
• Pick up dog mess
• Take care not to damage historical features, habitats and wildlife 

Enjoy:

• Take your time, soak up the views and enjoy the journey
• Download the Love Exploring App on your phone to discover more about The Cinder Track

Stay A While

So, why not stay for a while? Explore Robin Hood’s Bay and all 21.5 miles of The Cinder Track. 

Smaller properties are available from 2 nights and the larger properties from 3 nights. All dependent on the time of year. All of our cottages are priced accordingly throughout the year. All of our properties feature in size order. Largest to smallest as you scroll down the Accommodation Page.

For a quick look at our availability at any given time you can use our All Availability feature. Just click the green and yellow Check Availability button on the Home page of our website.

How will you explore The Cinder Track?