Saltburn to Skinningrove Walk

3.5 miles (5.7 km)

The walk from Saltburn-by-the-Sea to Skinningrove begins with a steady climb from the promenade up onto the towering heights of Hunt Cliff.
As you follow the Cleveland Way eastward, the path skirts the very edge of these dramatic shale and ironstone cliffs, which are among the highest on the East Coast of England.... Looking back, you get a sweeping view of Saltburn’s Victorian pier and the long curve of the bay, while ahead, the rugged coastline stretches out toward the horizon.
This area is a fantastic location for birdwatching, particularly during the spring and summer months when the sheer rock faces of Hunt Cliff become a bustling seabird colony. You can often see fulmars gliding on the updrafts and kittiwakes nesting on the narrow ledges, while the surrounding clifftop grasslands provide a home for skylarks whose songs often fill the air above the path. The grassy slopes are also a great place to spot roe deer or foxes in the early morning, and the coastal scrub provides shelter for various migratory songbirds.
As you continue the journey, the path leads you toward the summit of Warsett Hill, which is marked by a distinctive sculpture of a giant iron charm. This high point offers a panoramic 360-degree view that takes in the industrial heritage of Teesside to the west and the distant headland of Staithes to the east. The descent from the hill brings you down through a landscape shaped by former ironstone mining, eventually leading you into the quiet valley where the village of Skinningrove sits tucked between the cliffs. The walk concludes by dropping down to the sandy beach of Cattersty Sands, a peaceful spot known for its clear water and the remains of an old stone pier.