A week-long holiday in the smuggler cove villages such as Robin Hood's Bay and Staithes is an excellent way to explore nature, go for long walks and hikes on the moorlands, or simply have a laid-back time. Not to mention the many pubs and eateries that can be found all around Whitby town centre!
It was a tough job to only add five of our favourite places to visit on the Whitby route, but here's a starting point, and you can find more information on our interactive map and seven-day guides.
Joining Route YC from the North
If you are heading south to start our Route YC adventure, you'll first come across Staithes, renowned for smugglers' tales and a bright Mediterranean feel. This is an ideal place for nature and art lovers and anyone keen to take in the spectacular scenes of the North Sea from The Cod and Lobster –perched on the shoreline.
Exploring Whitby
Clear the fog and fill your belly with a hike up the Donkey Path adjacent to the renowned 199 steps by Whitby Abbey and St Mary's Church. Indulge in the narrative of Dracula as you wander around or take a minute to scour through a decent book in one of the calming pubs and tea rooms. For traditional English Charm, ale, victuals, and an authentic Yorkshire welcome, visit The Board Inn; it's a local favourite. Some of the best fish and chips can be found in Whitby, just please don't ask us to pick a favourite!
The Cleveland Way
Experience the Cleveland Way your own way! Why not tick off this walk from your bucket list by joining the circuit in Whitby. Cycling or walking, you decide how much or little of it you want to do. This route is perfect for nature lovers, with brilliant wildlife-watching opportunities and amazing coastal sights. Remember to bring some essentials! Plan a stay at Robin Hood's Bay or Ravenscar before taking the bus back to Whitby and wherever the moorlands roads call you next.
North York Moors National Park
A visit to the National Park offers many different walking trails and a plethora of waterfalls, including the spectacular Falling Foss, which drops 30 feet down into the nearby brook. Taking photographs here is a must for any Route YC adventure! Then, after you've worked up an appetite while exploring, you can unwind with a beverage at the nearby cafe.
Be sure to make the short journey to nearby Sleights for a perfect rest stop for camper vans, boasting breathtaking views of the coast and countryside. Take care if you are towing, as Blue Bank is steep. As ever, drive responsibly in wet weather, and when the sun is out, head back down into Sleights - remember your lunch - and journey on to Ruswarp Lake, where you can hire a boat.
Goathland
If you're a Heartbeat or Harry Potter fan, you need to stop at Goathland. Then, catch the NYMR line, which will take you through Pickering and Whitby so you can really take in the stunning surroundings. Finally, you can hop off at Hogsmeade Station for some Rail Trail fun! And remember to head over to Mallyan Spout Waterfall - after that, why not just relax and see where the road takes you next!
There are plenty of things to do on the Whitby route; see our 7-day itinerary for more. From sightseeing to sports, there are plenty of ways to spend time in this stunning part of the Yorkshire Coast.
Travel Tips
Check hill gradients before travelling up routes like Blue Bank.
Explore more on foot, or you'll miss the beauty! So park up the car and explore on bike or foot, but save the bus timetable to get you back to your base.
As soon as you are outside of the main town of Whitby there are limited locations that offer electric vehicle charging points, so make sure you if you are exploring the moors you have enough charge to get you back to your base.
Take note of signage advising suitability of roads for high sided and/or vehicles with towing, some of the roads are narrow, winding and have limited passing places.