Start with a stroll along the Victorian holiday resort’s grand promenade down to the restored pier, where the old fishing village straddles the mouth of Skelton Beck. From here, head inland out of the relentless on-shore winds into the shelter of Saltburn Valley Gardens, with its beautifully preserved Italian Gardens, burnished beech leaves and oak woodland. Then take either the Cleveland Way along the steep-sided valley wall or follow the more varied riverside trail, past the impressive Rushpool Hall and up a series of small waterfalls.

Under the shadow of a railway bridge’s towering arches, cross over the river and follow the Cleveland Way through wooded glades and a field into the housing estates of Skelton. Continue up the steep steps behind the high street – looking back for fine views of Saltburn – until you meet a crossroads with a public bridleway among cattle fields. Turn left and left again along Trout Lane, a route that ends among the workers’ cottages and ramshackle farm buildings of Trout Hall.

Pick up the waymarked Cleveland Street footpath from here and follow it through ploughed fields and the mining village of North Skelton, before leaving it via a hole in the hedge near Crags Hall, and a footpath that takes you over the A174 into the cul-de-sacs of Brotton. Head up Ings Lane to Hunley Hall Golf Club and take the tree-lined track beyond the clubhouse, through the fairways and out on to Warsett Hill, where the North Sea winds are waiting to batter you once more.

This, the highest point on Hunt Cliff, was once a site of a Roman signal station and enjoys spectacular views seaward and inland to the distant North York Moors. Head west over the headland to drop back down into Saltburn and a pint at The Ship Inn, at the foot of the cliff.

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The details
From restored pier to rugged cliffs

Start
Saltburn railway station (NZ684215), OS Explorer OL 26 or Landranger 94

Length of walk
9.5 miles

Walkers’ pitstop
The Ship Inn, Saltburn-by-the-Sea

Website
www.saltburnbysea.com

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