Walk 
What makes the Cleveland Way particularly striking is its dramatic contrast — no other National Trail in England transitions so seamlessly from heather moorland to rugged coastal cliffs. You begin immersed in the sweeping solitude of the North York Moors, where curlews call across the open hills and ancient stone crosses mark the way. Then, without warning, the trail tips you onto the edge of the sea, revealing some of Yorkshire’s most iconic coastal views. There’s an extraordinary sense of history underfoot too: from the haunting ruins of Rievaulx and Whitby Abbey to the storied smugglers’ coves that line the coast. Literary connections run deep here, with Bram Stoker drawing on Whitby’s gothic atmosphere to inspire Dracula. This route offers not just scenic grandeur, but a walk through centuries of culture, folklore and resilience. Whether you’re drawn by the wilderness or the waves, the Cleveland Way captures the spirit of northern England in all its rugged beauty.
10 to 11 nights
110 mls (km)
Northern England
Moderate to Challenging 
Mar to Oct
£1365
Coastal cliffs and heather moorland from Helmsley to Filey
- Enjoy wide views over North York Moors’ purple heather landscapes
- Follow the cliff-top path past Whitby, Robin Hood’s Bay and Filey
- Walk through historic Helmsley, Rievaulx Abbey and Saltburn
- Spot seabirds and seals along the dramatic Yorkshire coast
- Experience both moorland solitude and bustling seaside towns
Walking the Cleveland Way
The Cleveland Way offers remarkable variety, from the peaceful uplands of the North York Moors to the ever-changing skies and craggy coastline of Yorkshire. Beginning in the market town of Helmsley, the first half of the trail meanders through woodland, ancient abbeys and wide moorland ridges. The second half opens out onto the coast, where you follow clifftop paths above the North Sea, passing fishing villages, hidden bays and wide beaches. This is a route for walkers who appreciate contrast—quiet, expansive moors one day and the buzz of seaside towns the next. It’s a journey shaped by heritage and landscape, with plenty of rewarding overnight stops along the way.
Path Walkthrough
The Cleveland Way begins in the traditional market town of Helmsley, winding its way through the North York Moors National Park before reaching the dramatic North Sea coast at Saltburn. From here, it follows the coastline southwards, hugging towering cliffs and dipping into charming fishing villages such as Staithes, Robin Hood’s Bay and Runswick Bay, before finishing at the historic seaside resort of Filey. Along the route, walkers encounter a rich mix of wild moorland, heather-covered hills, and coastal headlands, punctuated with ancient sites. The terrain is varied but manageable, with well-maintained paths across undulating countryside and cliff-top trails offering sweeping sea views. Though some sections can be windswept and exposed, the walking is never overly strenuous, making this a satisfying yet accessible long-distance path. Whether crossing purple moor or descending into a bustling harbour, each stretch offers its own distinctive character and sense of place.
From Moors to the Sea
Our Cleveland Way Itineraries
Helmsley to Filey
Distance: 110 miles (177km)
- Good standard accommodation at a mixture of guesthouses, farmhouses, local inns and B&Bs with en-suite or private facilities wherever possible
- Breakfast
- Luggage transfers
- Personal transfer between accommodation and path that form a part of our standard package
- Route planning
- Walk pack including Trail Guide and mapping, itinerary, accommodation directions and route notes, lunch and dinner information, restaurant recommendations and holiday planning details
You choose which day you would like your holiday to start on. We will book your holiday in accordance with your requirements.
Our Cleveland Way holidays are available to walk March to October.
The path around the coast is liable to become quite muddy following wet weather, in any case it's better to be prepared with good, sturdy footwear and waterproofs for this hike. We suggest walking this route between March and October.
Nearest major airports are located in Manchester and Newcastle.
Railway stations are located in York, Scarborough and Filey.
www.nationalrail.co.uk
There is a bus from York to Helmsley.
If you prefer to arrive by car, we can advise on car parking arrangements.
Taxis can be organised - prices available upon request.
Looking for different mileages or a different number of nights? Please contact us to discuss how our itineraries can be adjusted to meet your specific needs. Call one of our helpful team on +44 (0)1291 689774 or e-mail us here.
📷Rievaulx Abbey, Helmsley to Sutton Bank
📷Gormire Lake, Sutton Bank
📷Whitby
📷Cringle Moor
📷Runswick Bay 
📷Yorkshire Moors
📷Whitby
📷Staithes to Runswick Bay
📷WhitbyCleveland Way Client Reviews
4.8/5 based on 39 reviews
Celtic trails are very professional and well organised
Mike s - September 2024
As a single walker I feel really safe and well looked after and I love the flexibility to book rest days. A walking holiday with no worries, I can just wake up and start walking to my next destination and arrive happy and you can be sure to stay in lovely accommodations. Thank you Celtic Trails.
Anon - July 2024
Perfect and very friendly and swift service.
Mr. Potters - June 2024
Celtic Trails are always a pleasure to deal with. The Cleveland Way is the longest walk I have done and was a true challenge for me which I am so pleased and proud to have risen to.
Rowan A - June 2024
Celtic Trails were reliable, supportive, good service. Good selection of walks. CT selects some fun places to stay, good adventure
Anon - June 2024
Another excellent holiday with Celtic Trails. Thank you.
Chris Parker - May 2024
Celtic Trails are an excellent company. They organised all the accommodations, which were upper end of the market, all luggage transfers and taxis to and from the trail. They gave us a brilliant folder with all the information needed about our accommodations each day and where to get food etc.
Hilary, Rugby - April 2024
Very good - extremely efficient, good attention to details. Overall excellent
Caroline R - March 2024
This was our fourth time (I think) that we have used your company and every time we have been very pleased with the initial website, the booking process and the documents that you supply. The follow up and support has been second to none. We have recommended Celtic Trails to a number of other hikers.
Neil & Teresa, Ashford - September 2023
This is the second time I?ve planned a walk with Celtic Trails and the details matter, so thanks for that. The walk pack, details, booking and luggage transfer were without error, this really matters when you are out on a hike and tired as you come into your accommodation. The accommodations were good, clean, warm and in the local character. I totally recommend it. I have done many various holiday trips, though I find getting out in the countryside, experiencing the views, the smells, the sounds, the activity and ?nature tranquillity? to be very therapeutic; great for the body, mind and soul. I really try to be present and in the moment on trips like this. ????
Mark Murray - May 2023
Celtic Trails are very efficient. Would recommend.
Isobel, Welwyn Garden City - September 2022
Cleveland Way was a walk of two halves. Awesome to visit the moors, and the contrast of sitting on a beach. Celtic Trails' Walk Pack are brilliant. All the hassle taken away. Excellent customer service.
Mr Darren Barrett - August 2022
Celtic Trails provided a first-class service with personal touch - perceived as more than just a booking reference. We enjoyed the variety of this trail - something for everyone. Well sign-posted and enough ascents / descents to challenge.
Cargill, Scotland - July 2022
I would say that Celtic Trails is very well organised and their customer service is excellent. I would like to thank Penny fore being absolutely wonderful when we hit a snag with our luggage being transferred. I was so impressed when she arranged for a cab to pick up and deliver all of our bags within an hour. My family was incredibly grateful! Penny is awesome!
Mark and Shelley - June 2022
Celtic Trails were very good; well organised, flexible service and good standard of accommodation. Thanks, Penny - we had a great time. And thank you for rolling over our holiday from pre-Covid times without penalty - much appreciated. This walk had an
Anon - May 2022
Celtic Trails makes the walk wonderful and planning for the trip easy. They take care of all the details, so we could focus on having fun and relaxing.
B. Richmond, K. Richmond - April 2022
Celtic Trails were efficient and professional, providing a good holiday. It was good to be able to enjoy such a holiday again after the pandemic. The Cleveland Way is a lovely part of the country, which we were not familiar with.
Anon - October 2021
Helpful staff. Excellent accommodation chosen. Good information supplied. Very reasonable price for the standard of accommodation. Great to be somewhere new. First holiday for 2 years owing to Covid and we were so lucky with the weather. This walk has a wonderful variety of scenery and was just the right amount of challenging.
M and S Cooper - September 2021
Really impressed. You are friendly and approachable and sorted a minor issue promptly. Thank you. Better than other companies. I have wanted to walk the Cleveland way for some years. I most enjoyed the variety of countryside, the incredible views and the wildlife. Walking is my greatest pleasure.
Anon - September 2021
A good mix of inland and coast walking. We felt a great sense of achievement. Celtic Trails were well organised.
Anon - September 2021
Walk Pack was better than other companies and standard of accommodation was higher, but I I'm uncomfortable walking on cliffs for extended periods.
Anon - September 2021
Quality advice. Trustworthy booking. Everything happens as promised. Always there if required. Good to deal with.
N. Bayne - July 2021
Celtic Trails were easy and efficient. It was good to get away after the pandemic.
Martin & Sarah Healey - June 2021
Overall, we had a great holiday - I'm pleased we went with Celtic Trails. I would describe them as very efficient. Excellent information, took all the 'admin' out of doing the walking, leaving us to enjoy it more. A lovely scenic walk.
Trevor, York - May 2021
Efficient, good accommodation bookings and details.
R. Barker - September 2019
Celtic Trails are very efficient and thorough; they are the easyway to do a long distance walk.
Anon - September 2019
Celtic Trails are much better than other companies - very easy to use, very good accommodations, excellent information. Cleveland Way is very well maintained and a thoughtfully planned walk.
D. Evans - September 2019
This holiday was great - very empowering. Most enjoyed the moors - even in rain/fog.
M. McClean - September 2019
We would recommend Celtic Trails to a friend; very good organisation and very good follow up.
Anon - June 2019
We enjoyed our holiday tremendously - particularly the variety of going from the moors to the coast. We have walked with you a few times before and you have met our expectations again
C&S Ungar - October 2018
Excellent walk - well marked and maintained. Good B&Bs. Where next …???
R&M - July 2018
We have used you before and we would use you again, as we like the standard of accommodation.
Ferris - July 2018
Celtic Trails are up there with the best - we would walk with you again, no problem. The accommodations were all very good and we most enjoyed the freedom and the variety.
J&M Orchard - July 2018
With great thanks for your thoughtful attention to our particular needs.
B&D Gwaltney - June 2018
"We have been happy with our walk, from initial contact to the end, it all went really well. I feel [other companies] are not paying attention to detail, we will use Celtic Trails again."
Williams - October 2017
"Supa! Keep up the good work. We enjoyed the beauty of the scenery, then a nice shower and a warm bed (as well as a good meal and a good beer)."
De Deken & Peetas - August 2016
"Great walking holiday! Particularly liked the combination of moorland and coastal walking. Have walked with another other company but several now with Celtic Trails - you would be our first preference!!"
Read & Raco - September 2015
"Dear Penny, we would like to thank you for a great holiday. We would happily stay at any of the accommodations again! All your organisation of the accommodation and luggage worked smoothly and we were free to just enjoy the walking. The Cleveland Trail is very well signed ~ we did actually complete the walk to Filey. Thanks again."
Bowles - May 2015
Celtic Trails sort out the practicalities so you can focus on and enjoy the walk and rest in between. Feel a great sense of achievement from this holiday. The contrast between the moors, woods and coastline was fabulous. We wish we'd scheduled a rest day.
Sally - Leeds -
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