Blown away

The sea of Cloughton Wyke was flecked with waves as far as the horizon. A sharp north wind was the culprit but the sun was out and it was lovely to be on part of the Cleveland Way on a dramatic, wild and beautiful stretch of coastline between Scarborough and Robin Hood's Bay.

Anyway you can cheat the cliff top winds on this route because the other half of the walk is on sheltered, abandoned railway line.

With this in mind I set off along the top, blown round Hundale Scar, Hundale Point, Creek Point and Long Nab. The only man-made structure, apart from steps in and out of gullies, is the small 1927 wooden kiosk of the Long Nab coastguard lookout, now used by ornithologists. A few gulls were riding the swirling updrafts, most were lined up on their nest ledges on the hundred-foot cliffs, a large flock were just hunkered down in a field, probably having a break from their fledglings.

You walk right by the edge, vertical drops for the vertigo-challenged, stepping round recent cliff slippages. The square shape of Scarborough Castle comes into view, and we turn inland.

Locals were nipping down to the rocky beach at Crook Ness, though the path down is closed because of erosion.

If you have been pining for Dales meadows brilliant with flowers the ones by the quiet lane are fair enough, yellow with buttercups, and the verges red with campions. And the view is good and long, of the sequence of points jutting out into the sea, the furthest being the white cliffs of Flamborough Head.

Next is the railway line trackbed, which was busier with strollers and cyclists (who should have bells if not in possession of musical voices).

There is a scrub line either side including willows. I'm not sure which willows, they are a taxonomist's nightmare, with hundreds of species which interbreed.

Arches of trees framed hand-in-hand couples in dappled sunlight.

The hinterland is pleasant, the proximity of cows was disconcerting.

A Scarborough Borough Council pick-up squeezed along, amber light flashing, the driver topped up the disinfectant mats.

Those at the Station Tea Rooms were probably taking a foot and mouth break, they will be open for you.

Fact file

Distance: Four miles.

Time: Two hours.

General location: Just north of Scarborough.

Start: Parking area at end of Newlands Lane, Cloughton, or end of Rocks Lane (from The Jolly Sailors pub), Burniston.

Right of way: The complete route is along public rights of way.

Date walked: June 2, 2001.

Road route: From York A64 to Scarborough then A171.

Car parking: Free parking areas.

Lavatories: None.

Refreshments: Tea rooms on route, open till 6pm (closed Fridays), pubs in Burniston and Cloughton.

Tourist and public transport information: Scarborough TIC 01723 373333.

Map: Based on OS OL 27, North York Moors eastern area.

Terrain: Cliff top and hinterland.

Points of interest: Breeding season of sea birds. Cliff top route and attendant disused railway line open from Scarborough to Hayburn-Wyke at time of writing.

Difficulty: Moderate/easy.

Dogs: Suitable but keep on leads. Sheer drops.

Weather Forecast: Evening Press and recorded forecast 0891 500 418.

Please observe the Country Code and park sensibly.

While every effort is made to provide accurate information, walkers set out at their own risk.

Directions

When in doubt look at the map. Check your position at each point. Keep straight on unless otherwise directed.

1. From car park, path downhill from bench, 100 yards, right to cliff-edge path (Cleveland Way), gap on left in scrub to cliff-edge path (waymark). Watch out for cliff slip areas.

2. Steps down through scrub to paths junction, right to concrete path, then tarmac road (path left down to bay was closed due to landslip).

3.Under railway bridge and immediately up bank and left to disused railway track. Cross road at old station and rejoin track.

4.Under railway bridge and immediately up bank and left to lane back to start.

Click here to view a map of the walk