Whitby to Robin Hood’s Bay
North Yorkshire
The clifftop walk from Whitby to Robin Hood's Bay follows 11.3 km of the Cleveland Way along the North Yorkshire coast, with 390 metres of total climbing as the path rises and falls across a series of headlands and hidden coves. The route leaves Whitby's harbour past the Abbey ruins on the East Cliff, then strikes south across open farmland and clifftop grass with the North Sea stretching to the horizon on the left. The coastline here is raw and dramatic — dark shale cliffs, eroded boulder clay and occasional fossil-rich exposures where the Jurassic geology breaks through. Robin Hood's Bay itself, with its tumbling cottages and narrow streets dropping to the shore, provides one of the finest finishes to any coastal walk in England. The return can be made by bus or as an out-and-back.
This dog friendly walk offers moderate off-lead potential on the open clifftop sections, though leads are needed through farmland where livestock graze — sheep are common on the fields adjoining the coast path. The cliff edges require careful management, particularly where erosion has narrowed the path. The salt wind carries strongly along the entire route, and the changing coastal scent — seaweed, shale, wild thyme on the cliff grass — keeps dogs alert and engaged. Several coves along the route provide beach access at low tide for dogs wanting to reach the sea. Both Whitby and Robin Hood's Bay have excellent dog-friendly pubs and cafes. The 390 metres of climbing demands reasonable fitness, as the repeated descents and ascents across the headlands are more tiring than the overall distance suggests.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 11.3 km (7.0 miles)
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Duration
- 3 hr 30 min
- Walk Type
- Coastal
- Route Type
- Point to Point
- Off Lead Potential
- Moderate
- Livestock Risk
- Moderate
- Facilities
- Wide range of pubs and cafés in both Whitby and Robin Hood's Bay; free winter parking at Robin Hood's Bay
- Parking
- Marina Front Car Park, Whitby (YO22 4JT); pay and display; return bus available from Robin Hood's Bay
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Whitby to Robin Hood's Bay dog friendly?
This route scores 7 out of 10 for dog friendliness, and it's a genuinely rewarding walk for dogs , open clifftop paths, sea air, and the chance to reach the beach at several coves along the way. Both Whitby and Robin Hood's Bay have good options for dogs and their owners, with dog-friendly pubs and cafes in each village to round off the walk.
Can dogs be off lead at Whitby to Robin Hood's Bay?
There's decent off-lead potential on the open clifftop sections of the Cleveland Way, where dogs can stretch their legs with big views over the North Sea. That said, leads are essential through the farmland sections where sheep graze in the fields adjoining the coast path, and you'll want to keep close control near the cliff edges too, particularly where erosion has narrowed the path.
What should I know before visiting Whitby to Robin Hood's Bay with my dog?
The 11.3 km route involves 390 metres of climbing across a series of headlands, which is more tiring than the distance alone suggests , a reasonable level of fitness is needed for both you and your dog. This is a point-to-point walk, so you'll need to plan your return either by bus from Robin Hood's Bay or by retracing your steps. Livestock on the clifftop fields are a regular consideration, and the exposed cliff edges require careful management throughout.
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