Staithes, the Dinosaur Coast & Oakridge Wood - 7 miles

This walk will only take place if sufficient numbers book a place.

NEW WALK !! Another trip to the East Coast and another walk that has been ‘twisted’ around to give us a more appealing start/finish point!

From Bank Top car park, we wind our way down the narrow street into the harbourside area of Staithes before taking an equally steep road/country track out of the village and up onto the Cleveland Way. Various vista’s satisfy our senses as we make our way along the Dinosaur Coast, so called because of the proliferation of fossils as well as mining relics. After a short, steep climb up a grassy hill, we make for the village of Port Mulgrave where from above, we can look down on what was once a busy harbour for shipping out ironstone. Ultimately the cliff path brings us out into Runswick village from where we make our way to another village called Hinderwell. From here, its field paths & crossings towards Oakridge Wood, where we will consume our packed lunches before passing some ‘interesting features’ as we make our return to the car park.

The challenging bits: steep descent by road down into Staithes and a steep ascent from the harbour up onto the Cleveland Way. Shortly afterwards, there is a steep grassy hill to climb and later a flight of steps to descend on the cliff path quickly followed by a flight of steps to ascend. Next there is a climb up more steps on a woodland trail before a fairly gentle descent on another woodland trail precedes a short, steep road climb towards the end.

Directions: on reaching Staithes (on the A174), take a turn down Staithes Lane sp to the Harbour & the car park. The road only goes as far as the car park, since public vehicle access to the old harbour village is not permitted.

Start point/Facilities: Bank Top car park, Staithes Lane, Staithes, TS13 5AD. Car park fee is £5 for six hours so would suggest car sharing to reduce the cost. Public toilets available but the attached café has ‘haphazard’ opening times. However, Coastal Kitchen across the road opens 10am-4pm on weekends, sometimes earlier.

Meeting Point: We will meet on the little green next to the children’s play area close to the car park entrance.

Alternative parking: with the exception of Staithes Lane, some of the sideroads on both sides of the A174 have free roadside parking. If parking on the far side of the A174, allow ten minutes to walk to our start point along Staithes Lane.

Walk fee: £3. No dogs please. Bring packed lunch/drink/snacks with you.

The walk will be led at a steady pace: not too fast, not too slow. Please be ready to start walking at the advertised time.

After-walk refreshment: pub & cafe options close to the car park, rather than going back down the hill into 'proper' Staithes.

I have no formal walk leader or first-aid qualifications and the Group does not have insurance. When you RSVP for any walk, you accept that you remain responsible for your own safety at all times. You are required to respect the walk leader and be mindful of the safety of others. Please keep to the pace of the group and don’t go off ahead even if you think you know the route.