RAMBLER: Whitby & Ruswarp via the Cinder Track and River Esk 08/08/2026

Walk: Whitby and the Ruswarp via the Cinder Track and the River Esk

Difficulty: Moderate

Length: 8.2m

Elevation: 135m

Approximate Completion Time: 2 hours and 30 minutes

Rambler Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5

Packed with historic sites, coastal and riverside scenery, and interesting spots for refreshments, this trail offers a great day out with a mix of nature and history Starting in Whitby, the home of Dracula and where Captain Cook first set sail, the trail winds through the town, along the Cinder Track, a disused railway line that closed in the 1960s, over Larpool Viaduct and down Glen Esk Road to Ruswarp. Here, you can enjoy some refreshments before winding beside the railway line and the River Esk back to Whitby, making a loop past the old abbey and St Mary's Church, and taking the 199 Steps down to Church Street. The trail then returns to the start via Marine Parade and Captain Cook's Statue. The trail includes narrow roads and lanes where care is needed around vehicles as there aren't always pavements.