Scarborough to Hayburn Wyke Walk

6.8 miles (11 km)

This walk takes you along a section of the Cleveland Way from Scarborough to Hayburn Wyke Nature Reserve on the Yorkshire coast. The route runs for just under 7 miles, starting from the striking ruins of Scarborough Castle and following the waymarked trail north past Scarborough Sea Cut and Scalby Beck before coming to Hayburn Wyke.
The trail begins on the promontory of the North Bay promenade before transitioning onto the undulating dirt and stone paths of the coastal cliffs.... Walkers will cross the concrete footbridge at Scalby Beck, where the Scarborough Sea Cut drains into the ocean. The terrain features several sustained ascents and descents as it tracks the coastline, culminating in a steep, wooded descent into the valley at Hayburn Wyke. Here, a double waterfall flows directly across a boulder-strewn beach.
The route passes through a variety of distinct ecosystems, including marine shorelines, coastal grasslands, and ancient deciduous woodland. The cliffs provide nesting territory for seabird colonies, including kittiwakes, fulmars, and herring gulls. Near the water’s edge at Scalby Beck, grey herons and kingfishers can frequently be observed hunting for small fish. Upon entering the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust reserve at Hayburn Wyke, the dense canopy of oak, ash, and hazel trees provides habitat for woodland birds such as pied flycatchers, redstarts, and treecreepers.