Nestled on the rugged coastline of North Yorkshire, Whitby is a charming seaside town that attracts visitors from far and wide. With its cobbled streets, picturesque harbor, and famous abbey ruins, it’s no wonder that Whitby is a popular destination for those seeking a taste of English history and culture.

However, for those who enjoy a more active approach to sightseeing, Whitby offers an abundance of stunning circular walks that allow you to explore the town and its surroundings on foot. From cliff-top hikes with panoramic sea views to peaceful woodland trails, there’s a circular walk in Whitby to suit every taste and ability level. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at some of the best circular walks in Whitby, so that you can make the most of your visit to this beautiful part of Yorkshire.

Be sure to check out our guide to the best walks in the Lincolnshire Wolds, too!

5 Best Whitby Circular Walks 2023

1. Whitby Abbey, Lighthouse and Saltwick Bay 

1. Start your walk at the Whitby Abbey car park, located on the East Cliff near the Abbey ruins.
2. Follow the path that leads towards the Abbey and take some time to explore the ruins.
3. After you’ve finished exploring the Abbey, head towards the coast and follow the Cleveland Way footpath towards the lighthouse.
4. The footpath will lead you along the cliff-top with stunning views of the coastline and the North Sea.
5. After about 1.5 miles of walking, you’ll reach the Whitby Lighthouse. Take some time to admire the views and the lighthouse itself.
6. From the lighthouse, follow the footpath that leads down the steep hill towards Saltwick Bay. Be careful as the path can be slippery.
7. When you reach the bottom of the hill, turn left and follow the footpath along the beach towards the bay.
8. Take some time to explore the beach and the rock pools before continuing your walk.
9. When you’re ready, follow the footpath that leads up the hill on the other side of the bay.
10. The footpath will take you through some woodland before joining a road that leads back towards the Abbey.
11. Follow the road for about half a mile before turning left onto a footpath that leads through a field towards the Abbey car park.
12. The footpath will take you back to the car park where you started your walk.

This circular walk in Whitby is approximately 4 miles long and should take about 2-3 hours to complete, depending on your pace and how much time you spend exploring the sights along the way.

2. Whitby Cleveland Way Viaduct Loop

1. Start your walk at the Whitby Marina car park, located on the West Cliff near the Whitby Swing Bridge.
2. From the car park, head towards the Swing Bridge and cross over to the other side of the River Esk.
3. Once you’re on the other side of the river, turn left and follow the footpath that leads along the River Esk towards the Whitby Pavilion.
4. From the Whitby Pavilion, follow the footpath that leads towards the cliff-top and the Cleveland Way footpath.
5. When you reach the Cleveland Way footpath, turn left and follow it along the cliff-top with stunning views of the coastline and the North Sea.
6. After about 1.5 miles of walking, you’ll reach the iconic Whitby Viaduct. Take some time to admire the views and the viaduct itself.
7. Continue on the Cleveland Way footpath past the viaduct, following it as it curves around towards the east.
8. After a short distance, you’ll come to a footpath that leads down towards the beach. Take this footpath and follow it down to the beach.
9. Once you’re on the beach, turn left and follow it for about half a mile towards the River Esk.
10. When you reach the River Esk, turn left and follow the footpath that leads back towards the Swing Bridge and the car park.
11. Cross over the Swing Bridge and return to the car park where you started your walk.

This Whitby circular walk is approximately 5 miles long and should take about 2-3 hours to complete, depending on your pace and how much time you spend exploring the sights along the way.

3. Robin Hood’s Bay to Ravenscar Loop 

1. Start your walk in the charming village of Robin Hood’s Bay, located on the coast of North Yorkshire.
2. From the village, head towards the beach and follow the footpath that leads along the coastline towards Boggle Hole.
3. Follow the footpath along the coastline, enjoying the stunning sea views and the rugged cliffs.
4. After about 2 miles of walking, you’ll reach the small village of Boggle Hole. Take some time to explore the village and the beach before continuing your walk.
5. From Boggle Hole, continue along the Cleveland Way footpath towards Ravenscar.
6. The footpath will take you along the cliff-top with stunning views of the coastline and the North Sea.
7. After about 4.5 miles of walking, you’ll reach the village of Ravenscar. Take some time to explore the village and the nearby Raven Hall before continuing your walk.
8. From Ravenscar, follow the footpath that leads inland towards the Peak Alum Works.
9. When you reach the Peak Alum Works, take some time to explore the ruins and learn about the history of the alum industry in the area.
10. From the Peak Alum Works, follow the footpath that leads through the woodland towards Robin Hood’s Bay.
11. The footpath will take you through some beautiful woodland and countryside before joining a road that leads back towards Robin Hood’s Bay.
12. Follow the road for about half a mile before turning right onto a footpath that leads back towards the village.
13. The footpath will take you back to the village where you started your walk.

This circular Whitby walk is approximately 11 miles long and should take about 4-5 hours to complete, depending on your pace and how much time you spend exploring the sights along the way.

4. Whitby to Ruswarp

1. Start your walk at the Whitby Marina car park, located on the West Cliff near the Whitby Swing Bridge.
2. From the car park, head towards the Swing Bridge and cross over to the other side of the River Esk.
3. Once you’re on the other side of the river, turn right and follow the footpath that leads along the River Esk towards Ruswarp.
4. Follow the footpath along the river, enjoying the peaceful surroundings and the wildlife that lives along the riverbanks.
5. After about 2.5 miles of walking, you’ll reach the village of Ruswarp. Take some time to explore the village and perhaps stop for a drink or a snack at one of the local pubs or cafes.
6. From Ruswarp, follow the footpath that leads through the countryside towards Whitby.
7. The footpath will take you through some beautiful woodland and fields before joining a road that leads back towards Whitby.
8. Follow the road for about 1.5 miles before turning left onto a footpath that leads towards the Whitby Abbey.
9. Follow the footpath towards the Abbey, enjoying the views of the ruins and the surrounding countryside.
10. After visiting the Abbey, continue along the footpath that leads towards the cliff-top and the Cleveland Way footpath.
11. When you reach the Cleveland Way footpath, turn left and follow it along the cliff-top with stunning views of the coastline and the North Sea.
12. After about 1.5 miles of walking, you’ll reach the iconic Whitby Viaduct. Take some time to admire the views and the viaduct itself.
13. Continue on the Cleveland Way footpath past the viaduct, following it as it curves around towards the east.
14. After a short distance, you’ll come to a footpath that leads down towards the beach. Take this footpath and follow it down to the beach.
15. Once you’re on the beach, turn left and follow it for about half a mile towards the River Esk.
16. When you reach the River Esk, turn left and follow the footpath that leads back towards the Swing Bridge and the car park.
17. Cross over the Swing Bridge and return to the car park where you started your walk.

This circular walk in Whitby is approximately 9.5 miles long and should take about 3-4 hours to complete, depending on your pace and how much time you spend exploring the sights along the way.

5. Whitby Abbey and The Dracula Trail

1. Start your walk at the Whitby Abbey car park, located near the Abbey.
2. From the car park, follow the footpath that leads up to the Abbey. Take some time to explore the Abbey ruins and enjoy the stunning views of the town and the coastline.
3. From the Abbey, follow the footpath that leads down towards the town centre.
4. When you reach the bottom of the footpath, turn right and follow the road towards the harbour.
5. Once you reach the harbour, turn left and follow the footpath that leads along the quayside.
6. After a short distance, you’ll come to a statue of Captain Cook. Turn left here and follow the footpath that leads up the 199 steps towards St Mary’s Church.
7. Once you reach St Mary’s Church, take some time to explore the churchyard and admire the views of the town and the coastline.
8. From St Mary’s Church, follow the footpath that leads towards the Whalebone Arch.
9. Once you reach the Whalebone Arch, turn left and follow the footpath that leads towards the West Cliff.
10. After a short distance, you’ll come to the start of The Dracula Trail. Follow the footpath that leads along the cliff-top towards the North Sea.
11. The footpath will take you past some of the key locations from Bram Stoker’s novel “Dracula”, including the site where the ship Demeter ran aground and the churchyard where Lucy was buried.
12. After about 2 miles of walking, you’ll reach the North Promenade. Turn left here and follow the footpath that leads along the promenade towards the town centre.
13. Once you reach the town centre, take some time to explore the shops, cafes, and restaurants before returning to the car park.

This Whitby circular walk is approximately 4.5 miles long and should take about 2-3 hours to complete, depending on your pace and how much time you spend exploring the sights along the way.

Whitby is a town that offers some of the most breathtaking and scenic walks in the UK. With its stunning coastline, rolling hills, and historic landmarks, there’s a walk to suit everyone. From the Whitby Abbey and The Dracula Trail, to the Robin Hood’s Bay to Ravenscar Loop, the Whitby to Ruswarp Circular Walk, and the Whitby Cleveland Way Viaduct Loop, each of these circular walks offers something unique and special. They range in length and difficulty, providing options for those who prefer shorter, easier walks, and for those who enjoy longer, more challenging treks.

One of the best things about these circular walks in Whitby is the opportunity to take in the stunning scenery and history of the area. Whether you’re a history buff, a nature lover, or just looking for a peaceful stroll, Whitby has it all. These Whitby circular walks allow you to explore the town and its surroundings, taking in the beautiful views, charming villages, and historical landmarks that make Whitby so special.

So, if you’re looking for a fantastic day out in Whitby, exploring the town’s beautiful surroundings, then these circular walks are the perfect way to do so. Each of these circular Whitby walks offers a unique experience, providing a wonderful opportunity to immerse yourself in the natural beauty and history of this incredible town. So, lace up your walking boots, grab your camera, and head out to discover the best circular walks in Whitby.