Whitby to Ruswarp Circular Walk

This pleasant circular trail explores the area to the south of Whitby. On the way there's lovely views of the Esk Estuary and the heritage steam trains running along the Esk Valley Railway.
Walk Report October 11th 2026 By Mark Percy:
We left Whitby railway station and followed the Esk Valley Walk south, soon leaving the busiest streets behind.... The path passes Fishburn Park and Boghall, with glimpses of the River Esk and the railway line along the way. We were fortunate to see a heritage train making its way through the valley on the Esk Valley Railway, a reminder that this is still a working railway as well as a popular route for exploring the countryside. The weather was grey but dry, and the views across the estuary were still impressive.
Arriving in Ruswarp, we found a village with a character quite different from the bustle of Whitby. The River Esk runs through the heart of it, and the road bridge, railway crossing and riverside paths make the village feel closely connected to the water. We wandered along the main street, passing the old station and St Bartholomew's Church, whose tower stands out above the rooftops. Ruswarp is a good place to pause, with a village shop and the Bridge Inn close to the river. In warmer weather, you can also hire a rowing boat or canoe and explore the calmer stretch of the Esk.
The real highlight was Larpool Viaduct, the enormous brick structure that rises above the river valley just beyond the village.

Built to carry the former railway between Scarborough and Whitby, it stands around 120 feet high and has thirteen arches. It is hard not to stop and admire the scale of the engineering, especially when you consider that the line closed in 1965. The viaduct now carries the Cinder Track, a walking and cycling trail towards Robin Hood's Bay. From up on the structure, we enjoyed wide views across the green valley and back towards Whitby, with the abbey visible in the distance.
We followed the route across the viaduct and took in the landscape from the elevated path before returning towards Ruswarp by the country lanes. Seeing the structure from different angles made it even more impressive; from below, its height and long row of arches are particularly striking. The area around the river is also worth watching for wildlife, and we took our time beside the water before continuing back towards the village.
From Ruswarp, we retraced our steps along the Esk Valley Walk towards Whitby. The return gave us another look at the railway and the broad sweep of the estuary, with the town gradually drawing closer. It was a satisfying outing, combining a peaceful riverside approach, a friendly village and one of the area's most distinctive pieces of railway heritage. The railway also links this coastal area with the countryside towards Middlesbrough.
This walk is ideal if you want to see a quieter side of Whitby without heading far into the moors. Ruswarp makes a worthwhile stop in its own right, while Larpool Viaduct offers a memorable combination of industrial history and elevated views. Back in Whitby, you can finish with a stroll around the harbour or explore more of the town before heading home.
Pubs and More Info
On the route you could stop off for some refreshments at The Bridge Inn in Ruswarp. The pub has a lovely garden area by the river where you can sit and watch the trains go by. It's a splendid place to relax with a drink on warmer days. They also do very good food and have a fine selection of ales. You can find them on the High Street at a postcode of YO21 1NJ for your sat navs.
To extend the walk you can continue along the Esk Valley Walk to the nearby village of Sleights. See the Sleights to Whitby Walk for more details. In Whitby you can visit the historic abbey and pick up the epic Cleveland Way. The waymarked trail will take you along the North York Moors coast visiting several of the local highlights.
For more walking ideas in the area see the North York Moors Walks page.

Ordnance Survey Map OpenStreetMap OS Map (Mobile GPS) OpenStreetMap (Mobile GPS)

Interactive Map

Ordnance Survey Map Full Screen>>

OS Map (Mobile GPS)

Route Video

Nearby Routes

Whitby Esk Valley Walk Whitby to Robin Hoods Bay on the Cinder Track Whitby to Robin's Hood Bay Whitby to Runswick Bay Walk Whitby to Sandsend Walk Whitby to Scarborough Whitby to Staithes Larpool Viaduct Sleights to Whitby Walk Middlesbrough

Photos

River Esk near Whitby Taken from the railway bridge - now a footpath and cycle track- interesting view of a ramshackle boat yard.

Footpath to Ruswarp. This paved way must be an ancient route between Ruswarp and Whitby. Here looking back to Ruswarp with St. Bartholomew's tower rising above the village.

River Esk and Ruswarp Bridge. The village of Ruswarp is on the far bank with the tower of St. Bartholomew's church prominent.

Railway by the River Esk. The railway engineers used the gentle gradients of the river to overcome the hilliness of the local terrain. This image from high up near the A171 road bridge is rich in detail. Many yachts are still out of the water prior to summer outings. Pantile rooftops are typical in this area. The ruined abbey stands on the skyline.

View south along High Street, Ruswarp, North Yorkshire. The Post Office is on the left and the tower of St Bartholomew's parish church is ahead.

Ruswarp Station. The station house and ticket office are now private residences.

Rowing boats, River Esk near Ruswarp

Download GPX

Whitby to Ruswarp Circular Walk.gpx