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Sleights to Whitby Walk

3.7 miles (6 km)

Ordnance Survey Map Open Streetmap This walk follows a section of the Esk Valley Walk from the village of Sleights to Whitby on the North Yorkshire coast. The route runs for a distance of about 4 miles along a waymarked trail. Along the way there's some nice countryside and views of the River Esk. The route runs along the Esk Valley Railway so look out for the heritage steam trains and old stations along the way.
The walk starts from Sleights train station on the Esk Valley Line. The station serves the village of Sleights, located behind the station, and the hamlet of Briggswath on the opposite side of the valley across the River Esk. From here you pick up trails on the southern side of the station and head east to Hagg House and Ruswarp where there is another station. Here you cross the river and continue into Whitby before finishing at the famous abbey on the coast. You can either return on the same paths or catch the lovely old train back to Sleights from Whitby Town or Whitby West Cliff.
If you'd like to continue your waterside walking in the Sleights area then you could pick up a nice footpath heading south along the Iburndale Beck. It's located just a little south of the train station. For a longer walk try the Grosmont to Whitby Walk which also uses the Esk Valley Walk.

Sleights to Whitby Walk OS Map Ordnance survey map - Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking

Sleights to Whitby Walk Open Street Map Open Streetmap - Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking

Further Information and Other Local Ideas

On the route you could stop off in Ruswarp and visit the Bridge Inn. The pub has a lovely garden area by the river where you can sit and watch the old steam trains go by. It's a splendid place to relax with a drink on warmer days. They are also dog friendly with a good menu and a fine selection of ales. You can find them on the High Street at a postcode of YO21 1NJ for your sat navs.

Cycle Routes and Walking Routes Nearby

Photos

Sleights station steam train

A steam train from Whitby to Grosmont operated by the North Yorkshire Moors Railway passes through Sleights Station

River Esk - geograph.org.uk - 199011

River Esk. Crossed many times by the Eskdale railway from Grosmont to Whitby.

River Esk - geograph.org.uk - 195006

River Esk

Ruswarp railway station MMB 06

The Esk Valley Line bridge over the River Esk at Ruswarp.

Whitby MMB 45 Larpool Viaduct

Whitby MMB 45 Larpool Viaduct

River Esk - geograph.org.uk - 195006

River Esk. Gently flowing in high summer due partially to the weir at Ruswarp.

Floating Drydock, Parkol Marine - geograph.org.uk - 1401263

Floating Drydock, Parkol Marine, Whitby

Whitby Abbey (geograph 5793812)

Whitby Abbey

GPS Files

GPX File

Sleights to Whitby Walk.gpx (On Desktop:Right Click>Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold>Download Linked File)

Memory Map Route

Sleights to Whitby Walk.mmo (On Desktop:Right Click>Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold >Download Linked File)