Best Walks Near Scarborough: Coastal Paths, Cliff Tops and Countryside Routes
Scarborough sits at the meeting point of three landscapes: the North Sea coast, the North York Moors, and the farmland and woodland valleys between. Within 30 minutes of the town, the walking is as varied as anywhere in England.
The Cleveland Way runs along the cliffs directly above the North Bay. Inland, the Forge Valley and Raincliffe Woods offer sheltered woodland walks. And the North York Moors — one of the largest expanses of open heather moorland in the country — start just behind the coast.
This guide covers the best walks accessible from Scarborough and the surrounding area, with practical details for each: distance, difficulty, parking, and what to expect.
Coastal Walks — The Cleveland Way and Beyond
The Cleveland Way is a 110-mile National Trail running from Helmsley to Filey, passing directly through Scarborough. The coastal sections north of Scarborough are among the most dramatic stretches of the entire trail — high cliffs, hidden coves, and views that stretch to Whitby on a clear day.
Scarborough to Hayburn Wyke (Moderate, ~4 miles one way)
This is the walk most locals would recommend first. From Scalby Mills (the northern end of Scarborough's North Bay), the Cleveland Way climbs onto the cliffs and follows the coast north through Beast Cliff — one of the largest coastal landslips in Europe — before dropping down to Hayburn Wyke, a hidden waterfall that tumbles through woodland onto a rocky beach.
The outward walk takes roughly 2 hours. The path is well-maintained but includes some steep sections and steps. The waterfall at Hayburn Wyke is the reward — particularly impressive after rain.
Getting back: You can return the same way, making it an 8-mile round trip. Alternatively, the inland path through Cloughton offers a slightly easier return route, creating a loop of roughly 7 miles.
Parking: Scalby Mills car park (pay and display). Alternatively, Cloughton village has limited roadside parking if you're starting from the northern end.
Best time: Spring for bluebells in the woodland. Autumn for the colour on the cliff tops. Winter is dramatic but exposed — dress for wind.
Scalby Mills to Cloughton (Easy to Moderate, ~3 miles one way)
A shorter coastal walk that follows the same Cleveland Way path northward but stops at Cloughton rather than continuing to Hayburn Wyke. This suits a morning walk — you can be there and back in under 2.5 hours at a comfortable pace.
The cliff-top views are the same dramatic coastline, and the path passes through sections of wildflower meadow in summer. The turn at Cloughton puts you above Cloughton Wyke, a quiet rocky bay.
Parking: Scalby Mills car park.
Note: The path from Scalby Mills climbs steeply at the start. Once on the cliff top, the walking levels out.
Scarborough Castle to Ravenscar (Challenging, ~10 miles one way)
The full coastal stretch south-to-north: starting at Scarborough's castle headland, following the Cleveland Way through the North Bay, past Scalby Mills, along Beast Cliff and Hayburn Wyke, and continuing to Ravenscar — the old alum works village perched on the cliff edge.
This is a full-day walk. The terrain is varied — cliff paths, steps, wooded sections, and exposed headlands. The views are outstanding throughout, but the distance and the elevation changes make it a serious walk.
Transport: Ravenscar is 10 miles north. Unless you've arranged a pickup, the return is by bus (the Coastliner service runs along the A171) or taxi.
Parking: Scarborough town centre or North Bay car parks.
Countryside and Woodland Walks
Not every good walk near Scarborough involves cliffs and sea wind. The valleys and woodlands inland offer sheltered, quieter routes — ideal when the coast is blowing a gale or you fancy something gentler.
Raincliffe Woods Circuit (Easy to Moderate, ~3-4 miles)
Raincliffe Woods sits between Scarborough and the A171, a few minutes' drive from the town centre. The woods are ancient — the oak, birch, and rowan have been here for centuries — and the paths wind through the trees alongside streams and small waterfalls.
The circuit from the Forge Valley car park takes roughly 1.5 to 2 hours. The terrain is mostly flat with some gentle inclines. It's a good walk after rain (the woods shelter you from the worst of it) and beautiful in autumn when the canopy turns.
Parking: Forge Valley Nature Reserve car park (free, limited spaces).
Wildlife: Listen for woodpeckers and look for roe deer in the early morning. The woods are a designated nature reserve.
Forge Valley Walk (Easy, ~2.5 miles one way)
Forge Valley is a narrow wooded gorge carved by the River Derwent, running from East Ayton to the edge of Hackness. The path follows the river through the valley floor — flat, sheltered, and green. It's one of the most accessible walks near Scarborough and suitable for most fitness levels.
The full valley walk takes roughly an hour each way. In spring, the valley floor is carpeted with wild garlic and bluebells.
Parking: East Ayton or the Forge Valley car park.
Combine with: The Raincliffe Woods circuit connects to Forge Valley, making a longer combined walk of 5-6 miles.
North York Moors Walks Within 30 Minutes
The North York Moors National Park begins just inland from Scarborough. Within a 30-minute drive, the landscape opens into heather moorland, stone-walled dales, and some of the most remote terrain in northern England.
Dalby Forest (Easy to Moderate, multiple trails)
Dalby Forest sits 20 minutes west of Scarborough and offers waymarked trails ranging from 1-mile family walks to a challenging 9-mile loop. The forest includes mixed woodland, open clearings, and the Bridestones — a set of dramatic natural rock formations eroded into mushroom shapes.
The Bridestones Trail (approximately 2 miles, moderate) is the highlight — a walk through moorland and scattered boulders with panoramic views across the Tabular Hills.
Parking: Dalby Forest Visitor Centre (£12 per car, all day).
Hole of Horcum (Moderate, ~4 miles circuit)
One of the most recognisable landmarks on the North York Moors: a natural amphitheatre carved into the moorland between Pickering and Whitby. The circuit walk drops from the rim down into the Hole, crosses the valley floor, and climbs back out via Levisham.
The walk takes roughly 2 to 3 hours. The descent and ascent are steep in places. In August and September, the surrounding moors are covered in purple heather — the most photographed landscape in North Yorkshire.
Parking: Hole of Horcum lay-by on the A169 (free, busy on summer weekends — arrive early).
Falling Foss and May Beck (Easy, ~2 miles)
A short woodland walk to a 30-foot waterfall hidden in the trees between Whitby and Scarborough, just off the B1416. The path follows May Beck through old oak woodland to the falls, passing a rock-carved hermit's cave called the Hermitage.
This is a morning walk — 45 minutes to an hour — but the waterfall and the atmosphere of the woodland make it feel longer. It's one of the quieter spots near the coast.
Parking: Falling Foss car park (small, limited spaces, free).
Practical Tips
Footwear. The coastal paths require proper walking shoes or boots — the terrain is uneven, often muddy after rain, and the cliff-top sections can be slippery. Woodland walks are manageable in sturdy trainers during dry weather.
Weather. The Yorkshire Coast is exposed. Wind on the cliff tops can be fierce even on sunny days. Layers and a waterproof jacket are essential year-round. Check the forecast before setting out, but expect it to change.
Tides. Hayburn Wyke and some of the cove walks are tide-dependent. The beach at Hayburn Wyke is only accessible at lower tides. Check tide times before planning walks that finish at beach level.
Dogs. Most walks in this guide are dog-friendly, with some restrictions in nature reserves during nesting season (spring). Keep dogs on leads near cliff edges and livestock.
Seasons. Spring: bluebells and wild garlic in the woods. Summer: long days on the cliff tops, wildflowers. Autumn: the moors in heather, the woodland canopy turning. Winter: dramatic coast, empty paths, short days — start early.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are adults-only hotels more expensive?
Not necessarily. Many adults-only hotels include dinner and breakfast in the rate, which means the total cost of stay (including meals) can be comparable to or better than a room-only family hotel plus restaurant meals. The value is in what's included, not just the room rate.
Do adults-only hotels feel boring or stuffy?
Not at all. They feel calm, which is different from boring. The atmosphere is warm and relaxed — guests are there because they want to be, and the absence of noise makes conversation, reading, and simply being present more enjoyable.
Is there a minimum age?
This varies by hotel. Some admit guests aged 16+, others 18+. Check when booking.
Are adults-only hotels only for couples?
No. While couples are the most common guests, solo travellers and groups of friends are welcome at most adults-only hotels. The policy is about age, not relationship status.
Why do some hotels choose adults-only?
Because it allows them to maintain standards that are impossible when catering to all ages. The dining, the atmosphere, the service detail, and the peace are all better when the hotel serves one audience well rather than trying to please everyone.
Where to Stay for a Walking Break
The best walking near Scarborough spans coast, woodland, and moorland — so a central base that's close to all three makes sense.
Wrea Head Hall sits in Scalby, on the northern edge of Scarborough, at the point where the Cleveland Way meets the countryside. The hotel's own grounds border woodland, and the cliff-top path at Scalby Mills is a short walk or drive away.
Dinner, bed and breakfast for two means you can walk all day, return to a three-course à la carte dinner prepared by our chef and kitchen team, and sleep in a room overlooking acres of private grounds and woodland. Breakfast the next morning is a full English, cooked to order — the right start to another day on the trails.
The hotel is adults-only, pet-free, and free from weddings or functions. After a day in the wind and rain, the calm of the dining room is exactly what you want.
Or call 01723 371190 to book directly.