Ravenscar Round and the Peak Alum Works
North Yorkshire
Ravenscar sits high above the sea between Scarborough and Whitby where dogs go on a lead past the grazing livestock in the clifftop fields, on a clifftop once earmarked for a Victorian resort that was never built. This 10.2km circuit on the Cleveland Way climbs and descends around 201 metres, following clifftop paths, an old railway trackbed and a loop down to the Peak Alum Works, where shale was quarried and processed for dyeing and tanning fixatives through the 19th century. A second loop passes an abandoned brickworks and a disused Victorian railway bridge before the path climbs back up through Bluebell Wood to Ravenscar. Underfoot is grass path, stony track and some tarmac, and the National Trust Coastal Centre marks the start and finish.
This is a dog friendly walk with sweeping views along the coast towards Robin Hood's Bay, and dogs on a short lead are welcome inside the visitor centre itself. Livestock graze the clifftop fields, so keep dogs on a lead around them and take extra care near the cliff edges, which drop steeply to the sea in places. There is little water on the route beyond the beck near the alum works, so bring some for a dog on a warm day. Hot drinks, light bites and ice creams are available at the Ravenscar Visitor Centre, with further options at the Raven Hall Hotel and toilets in the village.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 10.2 km (6.3 miles)
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Duration
- 3 hr
- Walk Type
- Coastal, Historic
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- Moderate
- Livestock Risk
- Moderate
- Facilities
- National Trust Coastal Centre (dogs on short lead), Ravenscar Tearooms and the Raven Hall Hotel; toilets in the village.
- Parking
- National Trust Coastal Centre car park, Ravenscar, pay and display (NT members free).
Dog Friendly Stays Nearby
Make a weekend of it. These are the closest dog friendly places to stay to Ravenscar Round and the Peak Alum Works, each one checked for its dog policy before we listed it.
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All dog friendly stays in North YorkshireFrequently Asked Questions
Is Ravenscar Round and the Peak Alum Works dog friendly?
Yes, this is a well-suited walk for dogs, earning a solid 8/10 on our dog friendly rating. Dogs on a short lead are even welcome inside the National Trust Coastal Centre at the start and finish of the route, and the sweeping clifftop paths give plenty of space to enjoy the coastal air together.
Can dogs be off lead at Ravenscar Round and the Peak Alum Works?
Dogs will need to be on a lead in the clifftop fields where livestock graze, and you should take extra care near the cliff edges, which drop steeply to the sea in places. There may be sections of the route away from grazing animals where more freedom is possible, but responsible lead use is the key message on this particular circuit.
What should I know before visiting Ravenscar Round and the Peak Alum Works with my dog?
The 10.2km route covers a mix of grass paths, stony track and some tarmac, with around 201 metres of ascent and descent, so it's a moderately active day out. There is very little water along the way beyond the beck near the alum works, so bring your own supply for your dog, especially in warmer weather. Parking is available at the National Trust Coastal Centre car park on a pay and display basis (free for NT members), and refreshments for you can be found at the visitor centre, the Ravenscar Tearooms and the Raven Hall Hotel.
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