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Main Boards => General Walking Discussion => Topic started by: WhitstableDave on 15:30:09, 25/04/20

Title: Walking the Cleveland Way (virtually!)
Post by: WhitstableDave on 15:30:09, 25/04/20
I've just completed the first of what will probably be eleven stages of the Cleveland Way national trail... by treadmill. As with my recent Pembrokeshire Coast Path walk, I plot the route on my PC, then watch the way unfold before me using Google Street View on the treadmill.

The Cleveland Way is about 110 miles in length and I've decided to do it in 10 mile sections. Today, I started in Helmsley and ended somewhere to the east of Boltby. Perhaps, like me, you had no idea where these places are (or even where the trail is located), so I'd better explain that the Cleveland Way does a sort of horseshoe route around the outside of the North York Moors National Park with the second half (when going clockwise as I am) heading south along the coast between Saltburn-by-the-Sea to just past Scarborough.

(http://www.cruisingmates.co.uk/coppermine/albums/userpics/10054/CWay1.jpg)

It took me a while to find the stone sculpture by the car park in Helmsley that marks the start/finish of the Cleveland Way:

(http://www.cruisingmates.co.uk/coppermine/albums/userpics/10054/CWay2.jpg)

I know it's early days yet, but I was a bit underwhelmed by today's section - there being little difference between this and any of a million other walks in the English countryside. If I'd arrived home after this walk and my wife had asked if I'd enjoyed it, I'd probably have said, "It was okay, thanks."

There were three distinct parts. Early on, the path went around field boundaries and through narrow sections of woodland...

(http://www.cruisingmates.co.uk/coppermine/albums/userpics/10054/CWay3.jpg)

...then it spent a good two or three miles on tarmac - pleasant enough, but nothing special - and I went through just the one village, Cold Kirby.

(http://www.cruisingmates.co.uk/coppermine/albums/userpics/10054/CWay4.jpg)

The best part of the walk was the last bit, where the views opened up towards the west. From Helmsley, the path gained height steadily, though never steeply, and the views were the reward! The area where I took the photo below is in the Sutton Bank National Park Centre where there's a big car park and there were a lot of people around admiring the views.

(http://www.cruisingmates.co.uk/coppermine/albums/userpics/10054/CWay5.jpg)

Tomorrow's walk will take me north to just beyond Osmotherley...  :)
Title: Re: Walking the Cleveland Way (virtually!)
Post by: Bhod on 20:27:37, 25/04/20
Yeah the first part is pretty boring to say the least, Osmotherley onward is quite nice with some good views once you get onto the 'high' moors.

Does your treadmill actually compensate for gradients?  You'll need a stairmaster in places  O0
Title: Re: Walking the Cleveland Way (virtually!)
Post by: tonyk on 22:04:38, 25/04/20
 
Quote
I know it's early days yet, but I was a bit underwhelmed by today's section - there being little difference between this and any of a million other walks in the English countryside. If I'd arrived home after this walk and my wife had asked if I'd enjoyed it, I'd probably have said, "It was okay, thanks."

 Must have done the entire route at least ten times.I usually take around a week but have done it in three days when pushed for time. Its a good backpacking route as there are plenty of places to wild camp.
Title: Re: Walking the Cleveland Way (virtually!)
Post by: WhitstableDave on 13:12:42, 26/04/20
Yeah the first part is pretty boring to say the least, Osmotherley onward is quite nice with some good views once you get onto the 'high' moors.

Does your treadmill actually compensate for gradients?  You'll need a stairmaster in places  O0

I'll be writing up today's section shortly, so for now I'll just say that it's been very pleasant and I liked Osmotherley.  :)

The treadmill only elevates to a maximum of 12%, but I compensate for steeper climbs by never dropping below 4 mph.
Title: Re: Walking the Cleveland Way (virtually!)
Post by: Toxicbunny on 13:44:34, 26/04/20
I walk parts of this regular far better non virtual though. The best part for me is osmotherley to flyingdales area.
Title: Re: Walking the Cleveland Way (virtually!)
Post by: WhitstableDave on 14:42:00, 26/04/20
I walk parts of this regular far better non virtual though. The best part for me is osmotherley to flyingdales area.
I think that most walks are probably far better in real life.  ;)
Title: Re: Walking the Cleveland Way (virtually!)
Post by: WhitstableDave on 14:42:34, 26/04/20
Day 2 of my treadmill trek along the Cleveland Way was from somewhere near Boltby to about a mile past Osmotherley.

My apologies for the rotated map, but I wanted to save space...

(http://www.cruisingmates.co.uk/coppermine/albums/userpics/10054/CWay6.jpg)

The walk continued along the ridge from where I ended yesterday for a couple of miles and the views to the west were again quite excellent. After three miles I arrived at the heather-covered moors and at last the scenery was what I'd come to see. The weather was better today as well; yesterday was mostly wintertime whereas today was definitely late summer!  :)

Nice as this landscape is, the basic view was unchanged for more than five miles: Left-to-right - dry stone wall, heather, path, heather.  :)

(http://www.cruisingmates.co.uk/coppermine/albums/userpics/10054/CWay7.jpg)

Eventually, the path descended to go past a small conifer plantation...

(http://www.cruisingmates.co.uk/coppermine/albums/userpics/10054/CWay8.jpg)

...then across a bit more moorland, some very pleasant farmland, and into the delightful village of Osmotherley:

(http://www.cruisingmates.co.uk/coppermine/albums/userpics/10054/CWay9.jpg)

I stopped for today about a mile past Osmotherley with the path seemingly heading back up to the moors.
Title: Re: Walking the Cleveland Way (virtually!)
Post by: rural roamer on 15:26:36, 26/04/20
Gosh the heather comes out early there!  ;D
We had planned on possibly stopping our first night at High Paradise Farm which is on the route near Boltby. Did you see it? That’s as far as we got with the planning before the lockdown! Looking at your reports with interest.
Title: Re: Walking the Cleveland Way (virtually!)
Post by: richardh1905 on 16:09:22, 26/04/20
A nice part of the world. My aunt lived for many years in Over Silton, just to the west of the route.


The pubs are good too  ;)
Title: Re: Walking the Cleveland Way (virtually!)
Post by: WhitstableDave on 17:56:39, 26/04/20
Gosh the heather comes out early there!  ;D
We had planned on possibly stopping our first night at High Paradise Farm which is on the route near Boltby. Did you see it? That’s as far as we got with the planning before the lockdown! Looking at your reports with interest.

Funny you should mention High Paradise Farm. I went through it and thought that it looked very nice!  :)

(http://www.cruisingmates.co.uk/coppermine/albums/userpics/10054/CWay1a.jpg)
Title: Re: Walking the Cleveland Way (virtually!)
Post by: Bhod on 21:06:34, 26/04/20
So that's what Osmotherley looks like in the daylight,  been so long since I've been there in the full light of day. ;D , my last three visits have been at around midnight'ish to start the Lyke Wake Walk  O0   
Title: Re: Walking the Cleveland Way (virtually!)
Post by: Mel on 22:33:33, 26/04/20
Awwww heather!  Loverrrrlllly  :smitten:   I'm glad the heather's in bloom for you.  If you sniff a jar of honey as you walk it you can get the full effect of it's wonderful purpliefied loveliness  :D


I'm going to enjoy armchair ambling along this LDP  :)
Title: Re: Walking the Cleveland Way (virtually!)
Post by: WhitstableDave on 14:29:30, 27/04/20
Day 3 of my treadmill travels along the Cleveland Way and it just gets better and better - and tougher too! Today's walk was the most strenuous I've done yet on the treadmill.

(http://www.cruisingmates.co.uk/coppermine/albums/userpics/10054/CWay10.jpg)

From Osmotherley, the path immediately climbed steeply through farmland and woodland up to the moors; there was no easing into the walk today! 

(http://www.cruisingmates.co.uk/coppermine/albums/userpics/10054/CWay11.jpg)

There were occasional dips down into woods and farmland for a while, but before long the trail stayed on the heather-clad high ground... ground which rose and fell, but the trend was always up!:

(http://www.cruisingmates.co.uk/coppermine/albums/userpics/10054/CWay12.jpg)

A viewpoint with a truly spectacular view from Cringle Moor:

(http://www.cruisingmates.co.uk/coppermine/albums/userpics/10054/CWay13.jpg)

An imposing rocky crag called the Wainstones:

(http://www.cruisingmates.co.uk/coppermine/albums/userpics/10054/CWay14.jpg)

I ended today's walk by a road where the elevation is relatively low. I've just discovered that on the next leg of the walk, I'll immediately be heading up to Urra Moor, which I understand is the highest point in the North York Moors. I'm beginning to look forward to the coastal section!  :)
Title: Re: Walking the Cleveland Way (virtually!)
Post by: Mel on 18:52:27, 27/04/20
Ahhh, some familiar views now  :)


Glad you're finding it not as easy as you expected  :D
Title: Re: Walking the Cleveland Way (virtually!)
Post by: April on 21:12:12, 27/04/20
Just spotted this thread  :)  looks like a nice walk Dave, enjoy  O0  Love the heather, it is early flowering this year but things are all upside down this year.
Title: Re: Walking the Cleveland Way (virtually!)
Post by: Toxicbunny on 21:55:15, 28/04/20
I walk cringle moor to flyingdales area regular. Not recommended on a windy day though.
The starting stone for the Lyke wake is by cod beck reservoir opposite a small car park ( known locally as the sheepwash) in Osmotherley.  The farm on the route is full of cows I usually have to run. They say dont run in a field of cows but you have no option.  Also theres another field of cows belted galloways on the climb up clay bank again another run for it. I probably have to leg it as I have my dog.  Its beautiful when the Heather's out. You also pass a lot of unusual megalithic stones on route. The trouble is many are just marked as a boundary stone when they are not. The part of the cleveland way carr hill ridge I think it's called is an old pannier way so remains of old stone crosses and the likes are there. You can often spot birds of prey too.
Title: Re: Walking the Cleveland Way (virtually!)
Post by: WhitstableDave on 14:01:08, 29/04/20
Day 4 of my treadmill travels along the Cleveland Way is a day late I'm afraid. The reason for that is yesterday's rain, which resulted in me ending my three week run of not going out when I went for a real walk from home. But I've been back on the virtual road this morning... 

To be honest, today's 10.25 mile section was pretty boring, although it started and ended quite well.  :)

(http://www.cruisingmates.co.uk/coppermine/albums/userpics/10054/CWay15.jpg)

The moment I set off, the treadmill raised itself to the maximum incline and stayed that way for over a mile when the uphill slope finally began to ease off. At around two miles into the walk, I passed what I assume is the trig point marking the highest spot on the North York Moors. It was a little way off, but it can just be made out in the middle of the image:

(http://www.cruisingmates.co.uk/coppermine/albums/userpics/10054/CWay16.jpg)

Seasons can change quickly in virtual worlds and the lush purple heather of two days ago was now brown, which meant that the moors had a drab washed-out look about them. At somewhere around the four mile point, I passed a pair of monoliths. The OS map marks this spot as Burton Howe, which I believe is the site of a round barrow:

(http://www.cruisingmates.co.uk/coppermine/albums/userpics/10054/CWay17.jpg)

The track continued in an almost straight line for a few miles before views of the lowlands began to appear. Somewhere along this barely changing stretch, the rough track became a tarmacked track and then a narrow road. So the second half of the walk was entirely on tarmac.

(http://www.cruisingmates.co.uk/coppermine/albums/userpics/10054/CWay18.jpg)

Having spent about two hours looking at thousands of very similar images on my treadmill screen, it was something of a relief to begin the descent to the picturesque village of Kildale - enjoying the scenery and looking at the nice houses!

(http://www.cruisingmates.co.uk/coppermine/albums/userpics/10054/CWay19.jpg)

I can see from the map that shortly after setting off tomorrow I'll be passing Captain Cook's Monument. Sounds good...  :)
Title: Re: Walking the Cleveland Way (virtually!)
Post by: Florence Lamb on 14:22:12, 29/04/20
Having walked the Cleveland Way x 4, camping all the way, this is bringing back great memories of a mostly enjoyable walk.  Thank you.
Title: Re: Walking the Cleveland Way (virtually!)
Post by: pdstsp on 14:54:14, 29/04/20
I enjoyed that section on the C2C last year - wonderful walking under big blue skies.  Stayed in Great Broughton, near your start point, and the hotel owner came in early, made us sausage and bacon butties for our early start. 
Title: Re: Walking the Cleveland Way (virtually!)
Post by: vghikers on 15:42:01, 29/04/20
Quote
I think that most walks are probably far better in real life.

Coming soon: the treadmill VR version complete with body sensors: experience the gales, lashing rain and clag as well.  :)
Title: Re: Walking the Cleveland Way (virtually!)
Post by: WhitstableDave on 15:50:52, 29/04/20
Coming soon: the treadmill VR version complete with body sensors: experience the gales, lashing rain and clag as well.  :)

When I did my first outdoor walk for 3 weeks yesterday, the first half was straight into a brisk wind and heavy rain. I'd forgotten what it was like to have to battle against something stronger than the gentle breeze from the treadmill's fan.   :)
Title: Re: Walking the Cleveland Way (virtually!)
Post by: Toxicbunny on 18:14:13, 29/04/20
Anyone walked this route will have seen this stone.


(https://i.postimg.cc/p9dhD07t/20200429-180947.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/p9dhD07t)


It's known as the face stone on route to the Lion Inn blakey ridge. I tend to do walks looking for the old narrows and remains .
Title: Re: Walking the Cleveland Way (virtually!)
Post by: Deolman on 08:45:24, 30/04/20
Planning to walk the Cleveland Way in September, just hoping things may be back to a resemblance of normal by then.
Title: Re: Walking the Cleveland Way (virtually!)
Post by: WhitstableDave on 13:06:24, 30/04/20
Day 5 of my treadmill trek along the Cleveland Way had four distinct parts: more moors, pine plantations, wonderful woods, and familiar farmland.  :)

(http://www.cruisingmates.co.uk/coppermine/albums/userpics/10054/CWay20.jpg)

I began today just past Kildale and after a mile of pleasant uphill woodland walking I arrived on the moors near Captain Cook's Monument. Apparently, the young James Cook attended school in nearby Great Ayton:

(http://www.cruisingmates.co.uk/coppermine/albums/userpics/10054/CWay21.jpg)

A little further on I passed a cute hill with a cute name: Roseberry Topping.  :)

(http://www.cruisingmates.co.uk/coppermine/albums/userpics/10054/CWay22.jpg)

And then it was back to otherwise featureless heather-clad moorland, which, to be honest, had started to get a tad tedious. Still, that was the final stretch before the long descent... 

(http://www.cruisingmates.co.uk/coppermine/albums/userpics/10054/CWay23.jpg)

...firstly through a pine plantation...

(http://www.cruisingmates.co.uk/coppermine/albums/userpics/10054/CWay24.jpg)

...and later the path spent a most pleasant period passing through delightful deciduous woodland...

(http://www.cruisingmates.co.uk/coppermine/albums/userpics/10054/CWay25.jpg)

...finally emerging onto familiar farmland and a nice muddy path. It felt a bit like home!

(http://www.cruisingmates.co.uk/coppermine/albums/userpics/10054/CWay26.jpg)

I've now done a little over 50 miles of the Cleveland Way, which leaves about 60 miles to go. I think I'll up the daily distance to around 12 miles so as to complete the trail in another 5 days.
Title: Re: Walking the Cleveland Way (virtually!)
Post by: Toxicbunny on 16:03:06, 30/04/20
Roseberry Topping aka The Cleveland matterhorn. I believe you climb it as part of the Cleveland way. If you climb Roseberry topping you can see Aireyholm farm this is the farm Captain Cook lived on before Great Ayton. Captain cooks monument was erected there due to him walking up there from the farm. Thought I'd drop a bit of history there. If I walk that way I always buy my eggs on the way home from the farm there is a ROW through it.
Title: Re: Walking the Cleveland Way (virtually!)
Post by: WhitstableDave on 16:08:18, 30/04/20
Roseberry Topping aka The Cleveland matterhorn. I believe you climb it as part of the Cleveland way. If you climb Roseberry topping you can see Aireyholm farm this is the farm Captain Cook lived on before Great Ayton. Captain cooks monument was erected there due to him walking up there from the farm. Thought I'd drop a bit of history there. If I walk that way I always buy my eggs on the way home from the farm there is a ROW through it.

Interesting, thanks for that.  O0

I discovered afterwards that there's a there-and-back spur to Roseberry Topping from the Cleveland Way that I missed when I plotted the route, so I didn't climb it. However... this being a virtual walk means I can do just that short section later on today.  8)
Title: Re: Walking the Cleveland Way (virtually!)
Post by: Toxicbunny on 17:58:48, 30/04/20
Interesting, thanks for that.  O0

I discovered afterwards that there's a there-and-back spur to Roseberry Topping from the Cleveland Way that I missed when I plotted the route, so I didn't climb it. However... this being a virtual walk means I can do just that short section later on today.  8)
The history on it is pretty interesting.  Back in the day a druid lived in a cave on the top and there was a sacred well. On modern day maps this spring is still marked on there even though its dried up. Artifacts relating to the druid were sent to some museum.  It is also known as Odins Hill as it was also a Viking lookout. Once your at the top you can see why. There is a quarry nearby and when it was mined back in the early 1900s the top of Roseberry Topping collapsed and the cave.  If you look virtually you will see the big boulders at the bottom. I'm a bit of a history nerd  ;D
Title: Re: Walking the Cleveland Way (virtually!)
Post by: Bhod on 18:48:40, 30/04/20
There's a nice circular walk taking in the Cleveland 3 peaks of  Roseberry Topping, Hichcliffe Nab and Easby Moor (Cook's Monument), don't know how much of it is 'virtually' walkable but if restrictions are lifted I'll certainly be willing to carry one of DG's cameras to do it.
Title: Re: Walking the Cleveland Way (virtually!)
Post by: Toxicbunny on 18:59:56, 30/04/20
There's a nice circular walk taking in the Cleveland 3 peaks of  Roseberry Topping, Hichcliffe Nab and Easby Moor (Cook's Monument), don't know how much of it is 'virtually' walkable but if restrictions are lifted I'll certainly be willing to carry one of DG's cameras to do it.
I thinks around 10 miles or just less.  Highcliffe Nabb got my legs on that walk  O0  once restrictions are lifted I will be up there with a drone. My husband bought a decent one then came lockdown.  Hasnt had chance to fly it yet.
Title: Re: Walking the Cleveland Way (virtually!)
Post by: WhitstableDave on 20:23:04, 30/04/20
... this being a virtual walk means I can do just that short section later on today.  8)
As promised, I did the Roseberry Topping spur. It was just over a mile there and back from the main Cleveland Way trail. Interestingly (I thought), was that it looked a lot bigger from a distance than it is - the 'summit' is a fair bit lower than the main CW path.
Title: Re: Walking the Cleveland Way (virtually!)
Post by: Toxicbunny on 20:47:20, 30/04/20
As promised, I did the Roseberry Topping spur. It was just over a mile there and back from the main Cleveland Way trail. Interestingly (I thought), was that it looked a lot bigger from a distance than it is - the 'summit' is a fair bit lower than the main CW path.
Its 320 meters high but once at the top you can see great views of Cleveland around.
Title: Re: Walking the Cleveland Way (virtually!)
Post by: Mel on 22:00:24, 30/04/20
I enjoyed this leg of your walk.  Roseberry Topping is a smashing little hill and I did a nav practice forum meet around Captain Cooks Monument.


Glad to see the heather's in bloom again  ;D   The seasons turn quickly in on the NYM.







Title: Re: Walking the Cleveland Way (virtually!)
Post by: WhitstableDave on 15:00:18, 01/05/20
I began Day 6 of my treadmill virtual hike along the Cleveland Way in Skelton Green, about 3 miles from the coast at Saltburn-by-the-Sea. From there, the route was straightforward - follow the coast in a south-easterly direction.  :) 

(http://www.cruisingmates.co.uk/coppermine/albums/userpics/10054/CWay27.jpg)

Sadly, for about a mile of the walk into Saltburn-by-the-Sea I had very few images on my screen. This wasn't a surprise because when I plotted the route I could see that the Street View cameraperson didn't seem to follow the Cleveland Way paths all the way to the sea - they probably used roads for some of the time. So I had a choice: I could go by roads and always have images or go by the CW and only occasionally have images. I chose the latter.  :)

Arriving at the sea. Saltburn looked very nice and the beach looked good too. I could see that the coast path would be going along high clifftops - exactly what I like!

(http://www.cruisingmates.co.uk/coppermine/albums/userpics/10054/CWay28.jpg)

And here we are on the clifftop path. It's a bit like the Pembrokeshire Coast Path but flatter and without the rockiness... and fewer ups and downs!

(http://www.cruisingmates.co.uk/coppermine/albums/userpics/10054/CWay29.jpg)

A single track railway ran alongside the path for a while, necessitating a safety barrier by the cliff edge:

(http://www.cruisingmates.co.uk/coppermine/albums/userpics/10054/CWay30.jpg)

I went down and past Skinningrove, but the village was a little way inland so I didn't see much of it. Then it was back up onto the cliffs with what I think is the highest point of today's walk in the distance. I'm not sure of the name of the hill, but it has a trig point at 213m.

(http://www.cruisingmates.co.uk/coppermine/albums/userpics/10054/CWay31.jpg)

Near the end of the stage, I went though Staithes. I'd not seen this seaside village before and I thought it was absolutely fantastic - narrow, winding streets, full of character and like somewhere from a bygone age.  :)

(http://www.cruisingmates.co.uk/coppermine/albums/userpics/10054/CWay32.jpg)

I'm hoping tomorrow's walk will take me as far as Whitby...
Title: Re: Walking the Cleveland Way (virtually!)
Post by: Bhod on 15:10:01, 01/05/20
You didn't miss much at Skinningrove believe me, you're right, Staithes is indeed a lovely village.  You're now getting onto one of my favourite sections of the path.  Just make sure the tide is out at Runswick Bay  ;D , there is a workaround it but then you won't really have followed the Cleveland way  O0
Edited because I got my R's mixed up.

 
Title: Re: Walking the Cleveland Way (virtually!)
Post by: Toxicbunny on 15:12:56, 01/05/20
If you do do the walk in real life after all this has passed. The Ship pub in Saltburn i recommend on route which can be seen when you zoom in its a great walkers and dog  friendly pub. The path above is a little risky always has landslides. I would not walk it on a windy day.
Title: Re: Walking the Cleveland Way (virtually!)
Post by: rural roamer on 18:20:32, 01/05/20
This is great for getting ideas of where to stop when we actually get around to walking it!
Title: Re: Walking the Cleveland Way (virtually!)
Post by: Toxicbunny on 18:33:38, 01/05/20
This is great for getting ideas of where to stop when we actually get around to walking it!
If you do walk it starting from osmotherley that has 3 decent pubs. Over cringle moor way you pass the Lordstones another cafe / pub. I walk the area regular . The buck inn is a good pub at chopgate. Ironically I would be probably be on that route now. They are all dog friendly I normally sit outside with mine. Buts its handy to know where you can use a toilet and grab a drink.
Title: Re: Walking the Cleveland Way (virtually!)
Post by: strawy on 21:41:44, 01/05/20
The "Hill" is Warsett Hill,tougher than it looks,and that path beside the railway gets scary,narrow,eroding and vertigo can kick in with a sheer drop  :-\
Title: Re: Walking the Cleveland Way (virtually!)
Post by: Toxicbunny on 22:05:40, 01/05/20
The "Hill" is Warsett Hill,tougher than it looks,and that path beside the railway gets scary,narrow,eroding and vertigo can kick in with a sheer drop  :-\
I must admit I dont like that path. The views out to sea are beautiful but many have died falling off those cliffs.
Title: Re: Walking the Cleveland Way (virtually!)
Post by: Dovegirl on 23:07:59, 01/05/20
Staithes is indeed a picturesque village.  I went there some years ago    :)
Title: Re: Walking the Cleveland Way (virtually!)
Post by: strawy on 23:30:59, 01/05/20
You didn't miss much at Skinningrove believe me, you're right, Staithes is indeed a lovely village.  You're now getting onto one of my favourite sections of the path.  Just make sure the tide is out at Ravenscar  ;D , there is a workaround it but then you won't really have followed the Cleveland way  O0
Do you mean Runswick Bay?? I got caught out there,tried wading but gave up,elf n safety  :-[
Title: Re: Walking the Cleveland Way (virtually!)
Post by: Bhod on 00:04:39, 02/05/20
Do you mean Runswick Bay?? I got caught out there,tried wading but gave up,elf n safety  :-[
Sorry I did indeed mean Runswick Bay.
Title: Re: Walking the Cleveland Way (virtually!)
Post by: WhitstableDave on 13:41:43, 02/05/20
Day 7 of my treadmill trek along the Cleveland Way took me from just after Staithes to about a mile past Whitby, which means I've completed about 76 of the 110 miles.  :)

Today's walk was again mostly along the clifftops with sea to the left and farmland to the right, but occasionally the route went down along a beach or through a seaside town. There was an inland section before Whitby where the CW went along a straight and uninteresting road for about a mile before turning back towards the coast. I discovered later that the diversion is caused by a golf course.

(http://www.cruisingmates.co.uk/coppermine/albums/userpics/10054/CWay33.jpg)

This is the wide, sandy beach at Runswick Bay. It looks wonderful!

(http://www.cruisingmates.co.uk/coppermine/albums/userpics/10054/CWay34.jpg)

There was a very smart track, presumably a cycle path, for quite a distance on the way to Sandsend and the views out to sea were often very scenic:

(http://www.cruisingmates.co.uk/coppermine/albums/userpics/10054/CWay35.jpg)

The weather was rather drab in Whitby so I don't think I saw it at its best. Even so, it looks like a fascinating old town and I'd love to explore it properly one day. I noticed Endeavour is moored up the Esk...

(http://www.cruisingmates.co.uk/coppermine/albums/userpics/10054/CWay36.jpg)

So, three more days to go...  :)
Title: Re: Walking the Cleveland Way (virtually!)
Post by: strawy on 15:38:43, 02/05/20
Ah good old Whitby,one of my favourite places,remember a childhood holiday there,it was 1970,the football world cup was on in Mexico & Esso were giving away world cup coins "Dad go fill the car up" a Hillman Minx,Pele & a brilliant Brazil team,ah memories,they can cheer you up & sadden you at the same time  :)
Ive visited at least once a year since,I now live only 50 miles away but at the moment it feels like the other side of the world,i just hope i can make it this year  O0
Title: Re: Walking the Cleveland Way (virtually!)
Post by: Bhod on 16:08:16, 02/05/20
At low tide you can wlk along the beach instead of the road past the golf course.  The cycle track into Sandsend is actually remnants of an old railway track bed of the Whitby, Redcar and Middlesborough Union railway line.  A pity you didn't get into Whitby 'Proper', forego the fish n chips and head to the Humble Pie N Mash shop instead  O0
Title: Re: Walking the Cleveland Way (virtually!)
Post by: strawy on 16:27:04, 02/05/20
At low tide you can wlk along the beach instead of the road past the golf course.  The cycle track into Sandsend is actually remnants of an old railway track bed of the Whitby, Redcar and Middlesborough Union railway line.  A pity you didn't get into Whitby 'Proper', forego the fish n chips and head to the Humble Pie N Mash shop instead  O0
I wonder how long the queue at the Magpie would be with social distancing in force...2 miles ??  ::)
Title: Re: Walking the Cleveland Way (virtually!)
Post by: WhitstableDave on 14:21:00, 03/05/20
Ah good old Whitby,one of my favourite places,remember a childhood holiday there,it was 1970,the football world cup was on in Mexico & Esso were giving away world cup coins "Dad go fill the car up" a Hillman Minx,Pele & a brilliant Brazil team,ah memories,they can cheer you up & sadden you at the same time  :)
Ive visited at least once a year since,I now live only 50 miles away but at the moment it feels like the other side of the world,i just hope i can make it this year  O0

I think this is 1971, not 1970, but it's close enough. Anyway, that's me (nearest the camera) with a couple of friends and the clapped-out Hillman Minx my dad gave me. Memories indeed!  :)

(http://www.cruisingmates.co.uk/coppermine/albums/userpics/10054/YXT708s.jpg)

I loved those jeans!  8)
Title: Re: Walking the Cleveland Way (virtually!)
Post by: WhitstableDave on 14:53:02, 03/05/20
At low tide you can wlk along the beach instead of the road past the golf course.  The cycle track into Sandsend is actually remnants of an old railway track bed of the Whitby, Redcar and Middlesborough Union railway line.  A pity you didn't get into Whitby 'Proper', forego the fish n chips and head to the Humble Pie N Mash shop instead  O0
Thanks for the info about the cycle track.  O0
Title: Re: Walking the Cleveland Way (virtually!)
Post by: WhitstableDave on 14:53:22, 03/05/20
Day 8 of my virtual hike along the Cleveland Way by treadmill began a mile east of Whitby. I passed through Robin Hood's Bay and ended today's walk about 3 miles south of Ravenscar. As on recent days, most of the path was along the cliff edge, with the occasional descent to a seaside town or village.

(http://www.cruisingmates.co.uk/coppermine/albums/userpics/10054/CWay37.jpg)

A couple of miles outside Whitby I passed Whitby Light Self-Catering Cottages. Before the lockdown, we'd almost settled on North Yorkshire for this year's summer walking holiday. I quite fancy staying in a lighthouse...

(http://www.cruisingmates.co.uk/coppermine/albums/userpics/10054/CWay38.jpg)

I had a good feeling about Robin Hood's Bay (it must be the name) and I wasn't disappointed. It looks like an amazing place, with loads of character and old-world charm:

(http://www.cruisingmates.co.uk/coppermine/albums/userpics/10054/CWay39.jpg)

I had a wander around some ruins I'd spotted on the satellite view while I was planning today's walk. I thought it might be Roman remains, but it was the remains of an alum works. Even so, the site is a few hundred years old and has a fascinating story; apparently, the Old Alum Works at Ravenscar has a claim to being the birthplace of Britain's chemical industry.

(http://www.cruisingmates.co.uk/coppermine/albums/userpics/10054/CWay40.jpg)

And a little way beyond Ravenscar, I passed the remains of a WW2 radar station:

(http://www.cruisingmates.co.uk/coppermine/albums/userpics/10054/CWay41.jpg)

That's 88 miles of the Cleveland Way done and only about 22 to go!
Title: Re: Walking the Cleveland Way (virtually!)
Post by: Toxicbunny on 16:27:56, 03/05/20
Just along from Robin hoods bay is Boggle Hole it has YHA accommodation and it on the route of the Cleveland way.
Its also got a great cafe. When I'm walking that route I often pop in. Any excuse for tea and cake.


Title: Re: Walking the Cleveland Way (virtually!)
Post by: WhitstableDave on 16:43:22, 04/05/20
Day 9 of my treadmill trek along the Cleveland Way took me from somewhere near Staintondale to somewhere near Osgodby, passing through Scarborough on the way. With today's route being almost due south, I've rotated the map again to save space:

(http://www.cruisingmates.co.uk/coppermine/albums/userpics/10054/CWay42.jpg)

To be honest, there weren't many remarkable scenes to report on today. The path was like it appears on the image below for the first 6 miles - mostly fields to my right, the cliff edge to my left, and a few woody bits to add some much needed variety...

(http://www.cruisingmates.co.uk/coppermine/albums/userpics/10054/CWay43.jpg)

...but eventually I arrived at Scalby Ness and the scenery changed. From here, the Cleveland Way goes along a promenade for about 2 miles. I'm sure that in real life it's a fascinating walk with the castle and all, but in Street View there's little to see except the way ahead and it only got interesting when I went around the headland sticking out in the distance (Castle Cliff?)...

(http://www.cruisingmates.co.uk/coppermine/albums/userpics/10054/CWay44.jpg)

...and came to what I guess was once a toll gate, just before the harbour. With the path hugging the coast, I saw little of Scarborough, but I got the impression it's not unlike Margate or Southend - lots of amusement arcades, rides and ice cream!

(http://www.cruisingmates.co.uk/coppermine/albums/userpics/10054/CWay45.jpg)

I think maybe the best scenery was near the end. Leaving busy Scarborough behind, the path crossed fields and meadows and went through some very nice woodland:

(http://www.cruisingmates.co.uk/coppermine/albums/userpics/10054/CWay46.jpg)

There are only 6 miles to go before I reach the end of the trail. I did think of finishing it this afternoon, but instead I chose to do the final part of my ascent of Mount Fuji (what a rubbish mountain!) and some interval training (on a wonderful mountain!) near Lake Tahoe in California.  :)
Title: Re: Walking the Cleveland Way (virtually!)
Post by: Mel on 19:39:44, 04/05/20
Just catching up on where you've got to - you're nearly finished  :o   ... and now doing the bits I've done a few times being only an hour or so's drive away for me.


It's a pity the sun isn't out for you as it transforms the clifftop walking.

Title: Re: Walking the Cleveland Way (virtually!)
Post by: WhitstableDave on 22:24:53, 04/05/20
Just catching up on where you've got to - you're nearly finished  :o   ... and now doing the bits I've done a few times being only an hour or so's drive away for me.


It's a pity the sun isn't out for you as it transforms the clifftop walking.

I was conscious of the overcast weather and I wondered if there was a limited time slot for the trail to be Street Viewed - given that the camera gear is loaned to trail staff - so perhaps there was no choice but to record on dull days. Also, much of the Cleveland Way seems to have been covered during winter months, which doesn't show the trail at its best.
Title: Re: Walking the Cleveland Way (virtually!)
Post by: WhitstableDave on 12:43:09, 05/05/20
Day 10 and a short 6 mile walk to complete the Cleveland Way national trail by treadmill!  :)

When I was plotting today's route I had some difficulty in locating the actual finish point - or what my American virtual friends call a trailhead. I couldn't work out whether the Cleveland Way ends at Filey Brigg (the long sticking-out bit on the right of the map) or in Filey itself. So I played it safe by going through a country park and into town.

(http://www.cruisingmates.co.uk/coppermine/albums/userpics/10054/CWay47.jpg)

As I arrived at Filey Brigg, I spotted a sculpture that looked identical to the one in Helmsley where I started the trail. So now I know - the trailhead is on the corner right by the 5 mile mark on the route map.  :)  Filey Brigg itself is in the left of the photo:

(http://www.cruisingmates.co.uk/coppermine/albums/userpics/10054/CWay48.jpg)

And this is where my 10 day treadmill trek ended - a mile further on in Filey with a nice view of Filey Brigg:

(http://www.cruisingmates.co.uk/coppermine/albums/userpics/10054/CWay49.jpg)

I enjoyed my lockdown look at the Cleveland Way and, although experiencing it in Street View on a treadmill is far from walking it for real, I've a pretty fair idea of what the trail would be like in real life - the landscape, the ascents, the towns and the views. I was left with the impression that the Cleveland Way is like having two trails in one with the first section being along the edge of high heather-clad moors with amazing distant views, and the second section being a coast path along high cliffs with the way punctuated by visits to seaside towns and picturesque harbours. Excellent!   O0
Title: Re: Walking the Cleveland Way (virtually!)
Post by: Bhod on 12:51:08, 05/05/20
A great VT report, can I ask which make/model of treadmill you are using?
Title: Re: Walking the Cleveland Way (virtually!)
Post by: WhitstableDave on 12:54:27, 05/05/20
A great VT report, can I ask which make/model of treadmill you are using?

Thank you.  :) The treadmill is a NordicTrack T8.5S.
Title: Re: Walking the Cleveland Way (virtually!)
Post by: Johnny Thunder on 16:58:40, 05/05/20
That was a fantastic read Dave. I've thoroughly enjoyed it.
It gives me some idea of what to expect when I tackle various parts of it this year.
Title: Re: Walking the Cleveland Way (virtually!)
Post by: strawy on 00:47:13, 06/05/20
I think this is 1971, not 1970, but it's close enough. Anyway, that's me (nearest the camera) with a couple of friends and the clapped-out Hillman Minx my dad gave me. Memories indeed!  :)

(http://www.cruisingmates.co.uk/coppermine/albums/userpics/10054/YXT708s.jpg)

I loved those jeans!  8)
Proper jeans & hair,was that an LP cover  O0
Title: Re: Walking the Cleveland Way (virtually!)
Post by: Mel on 18:53:46, 06/05/20
Hey! Well done on completing your V-CW.  If you ever do it for real you'll have to scour the beach at Whitby for some jet  O0
Title: Re: Walking the Cleveland Way (virtually!)
Post by: Toxicbunny on 19:13:02, 06/05/20
Hey! Well done on completing your V-CW.  If you ever do it for real you'll have to scour the beach at Whitby for some jet  O0
I've never found any Jet there but I have further down the coast.
Title: Re: Walking the Cleveland Way (virtually!)
Post by: pdstsp on 19:20:59, 06/05/20
Good stuff WDave, this one is on my list, maybe September with a bit of luck.
Title: Re: Walking the Cleveland Way (virtually!)
Post by: andybr on 20:48:21, 10/05/20
"From here, the Cleveland Way goes along a promenade for about 2 miles. I'm sure that in real life it's a fascinating walk with the castle and all, but in Street View there's little to see except the way ahead and it only got interesting when I went around the headland sticking out in the distance (Castle Cliff?)..."

We walked around that promenade yesterday in brilliant sunshine. The resident Peregrines were on the cliff, there was a bull grey seal just below the sea wall and a mother and calf Bottlenose Dolphin were just a bit further out to sea. I don't suppose you get that on street view.
Title: Re: Walking the Cleveland Way (virtually!)
Post by: WhitstableDave on 22:10:28, 10/05/20
"From here, the Cleveland Way goes along a promenade for about 2 miles. I'm sure that in real life it's a fascinating walk with the castle and all, but in Street View there's little to see except the way ahead and it only got interesting when I went around the headland sticking out in the distance (Castle Cliff?)..."

We walked around that promenade yesterday in brilliant sunshine. The resident Peregrines were on the cliff, there was a bull grey seal just below the sea wall and a mother and calf Bottlenose Dolphin were just a bit further out to sea. I don't suppose you get that on street view.

No, Street View certainly has its limitations. But nothing like the limitations of a lockdown.