A bracing walk along Yorkshire’s east coast and the Cleveland Way is the ideal tonic

Great British Life: Directional signpost on Cleveland Way (c) Rob Ford/Getty Images/iStockphotoDirectional signpost on Cleveland Way (c) Rob Ford/Getty Images/iStockphoto (Image: Rob Ford)

This North York Moors walk has superb views over Fylingdales Moor to the west and the coast around Robin Hood's Bay to the east. The walk starts in the countryside above Fylingthorpe, goes down to the coast, along the Cleveland Way coastal path, then back through the farmland around Hawsker and the moorland around Fylingthorpe.

Park in the car park at Brow Top at Ordnance Survey grid reference NZ930046 and take the path towards the house at the end of the track which leads south east from the car park. You'll want to linger here before you stride off to take in the views that stretch from here down to the coast. Double back on the path that dog-legs down to the road at Thornfields Farm and then cross the road and take the green lane that contours around behind Skerry Hall towards Raw. If in doubt, keep right at any track junctions and you will eventually come out on the minor road into the small and pretty vilage of Raw.

Turn right through Raw, past the telephone box, and when the road bends to the right take the footpath off, over the wall, to the left. This makes its way downhill following the Raw Beck valley. It passes between two cottages, where there is a footpath signpost to "RHB", and comes out again on the Shop Hill Road. Turn right on the road then, when the road bends to the right, go left on a track by the cottage. This leads down to Thorpe Green.

Turn left on Sled Gates/Thorpe Hill road then go right, past the old school on Thorpe Green Bank and right again on to Middlewood Lane. Take the first path off on the left which will take you onto the old railway track. Follow the old track to Robin Hood's Bay. Cross Thorpe Lane (going right for a while then off left) and along the road to the old station and car park and continue on to the main Station Road. Carry straight over on to Mount Pleasant North which has the Cleveland Way path starting at the end of it. Follow the path along the coast for three miles - a delightful stretch where there are great views to be had of the coast and Robin Hood's Bay - make sure to stop near the old rocket station for some of the best.

Take the path off at OS grid reference NE936086, just before a bench and memorial planting bed, and follow the path up to Gnipe Howe farm. Take the farm track back to the old railway line then go west on the track to the A171. Cross the main road and go south then west on roads through Low Hawsker. When Mill Lane turns to the left just past the water treatment plant, go off on the right and take the footpath towards Asp House on Stainsacre Lane. On the way you will cross a stream then continue at the side of a fence to the road.

Go left along Stainsacre Lane, right on Back Lane and left on the Hawsker Intake Road track. This track is not used at the southern end and can be very overgrown so go through the field to the left then cut back at the end just before the fence at OS grid reference NE921058. Go into the field at the end of the track then go right through one field, and in the next field pick up the footpath going south across the moorland. At the next gate, go through it then leave the path and take the track south east towards the A171. Cross straight over the main road and pick up the track that comes back to the parking place just off Thorpe lane. u

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COMPASS POINTS

Start/finish: Brow Top, Ordnance Survey grid reference NZ930046

Distance: 10 miles/16.3km

Ascent: 1320ft/400m

Terrain: Moderate

Time: Approx 4 hours

40 mins

Parking: Brow Top, Ordnance Survey grid reference NZ929046

Refreshment: Robin Hood's Bay has a variety of choices from pub lunches, fish and chips and cool cafes offering the perfect pit stop for a hot choc.

Map: Ordnance Survey Explorer OL27