Discovering Staithes: A Historic Coastal Village on the Yorkshire Coast
- Michael Palmer
- Nov 20, 2024
- 8 min read
Updated: Aug 7
Staithes Circular Walk – 4.93 Moderate Miles on the Yorkshire Coast
Staithes might be one of Yorkshire's best-known coastal villages, but getting out onto the surrounding footpaths gives us a very different experience from simply wandering around the harbour.
Our 4.93-mile Staithes Circular Walk combines the historic fishing village with dramatic coastal scenery, countryside and sections of the Cleveland Way.
Lyn and I personally walked, photographed and GPS recorded this route for The White Shire.
We rate the walk as moderate.
When we walked it, some sections were very muddy, and that definitely added to the difficulty. Conditions will obviously vary depending on recent weather, but we'd recommend proper walking footwear rather than treating this as an easy seaside stroll.
For us, though, the muddy boots were worth it.
Staithes and the surrounding coastline make this one of those Yorkshire walks where the scenery, history and landscape all come together.
Staithes Circular Walk at a Glance
Distance: 4.93 miles
Route type: Circular
Difficulty: Moderate
Location: Staithes
County: North Yorkshire
Area: North York Moors National Park / Yorkshire Coast
Nearby: Whitby, Runswick Bay and Saltburn-by-the-Sea
Terrain: Coastal paths, countryside paths, tracks and village sections
Conditions when we walked it: Some very muddy sections
Highlights: Staithes, Yorkshire coastline, Cleveland Way, harbour and coastal views
Walked and photographed by: Michael and Lyn Palmer, The White Shire
Our 4.93-Mile Staithes Circular Walk
Lyn and I found this a really enjoyable walk, but we certainly wouldn't put it into our easy category.
At 4.93 miles, the distance itself isn't particularly intimidating.
It's the terrain and conditions that make the difference.
When we did the walk, there were some very muddy sections. That slows us down and makes otherwise straightforward paths require considerably more care.
That's why moderate feels like a much better description.
And it's a good example of why we base The White Shire difficulty ratings on actually walking the routes ourselves rather than simply looking at the mileage on a map.
Starting in Staithes
Staithes is a wonderful place to begin a walk.
The old village seems to tumble down towards the sea, with tightly packed cottages, narrow streets and the harbour sitting between towering cliffs.
It's difficult not to stop and explore before we've even started walking.
The village's position also tells us a lot about its history.
For generations, life here was intimately connected with the sea.
Fishing, particularly for herring, helped shape the community and its character.
Today tourism plays a much greater role, but Staithes still feels different from Yorkshire's larger seaside resorts.
Out onto the Yorkshire Coast
Leaving the village gives us a completely different perspective.
From higher ground, we can look back towards Staithes and appreciate just how dramatic its location really is.
The village is squeezed into the valley where Staithes Beck reaches the sea, surrounded by steep cliffs.
It's one of those places that becomes even more impressive when viewed from the surrounding countryside.
And that's one of the reasons we like combining village exploration with a circular walk.
We see much more of the landscape.
Walking the Cleveland Way
Part of what makes this coastline such an excellent walking area is the Cleveland Way.
The National Trail runs for 109 miles from Helmsley to Filey Brigg. After crossing the North York Moors, it reaches the coast at Saltburn-by-the-Sea and then follows the North Yorkshire coastline south towards Filey. (National Trail)
Staithes sits on that spectacular coastal section.
We're obviously only experiencing a small part of the full trail on our circular walk, but it gives us a taste of one of England's great long-distance routes.
And Then There Was the Mud
This is something worth emphasising because it's part of our actual experience of the walk.
Some sections were very muddy when Lyn and I did the route.
Not slightly dirty-boots muddy.
Proper countryside-walking muddy.
That inevitably makes progress slower and means we're paying more attention to where we're putting our feet.
We're not suggesting the route will always be like that. Conditions on natural paths can change enormously following dry or wet weather.
But if there's been plenty of rain before your visit, we'd go prepared.
The official Cleveland Way information makes a similar point, warning that coastal sections can become particularly muddy in winter. (National Trail)
Why We Rate Staithes Moderate
Our difficulty rating is based on the walk as Lyn and I experienced it.
We rate Staithes as moderate.
The 4.93-mile distance is manageable, but we're dealing with coastal and countryside terrain rather than a flat surfaced path.
Add muddy conditions into the equation and there's considerably more effort involved.
The Cleveland Way itself is described by National Trails as challenging in places, particularly along some coastal sections. (National Trail)
So we'd recommend decent walking boots and clothing appropriate for the weather.
Captain Cook and Staithes
One of the most famous names connected with Staithes is James Cook.
As a teenager, Cook came to Staithes to work as an apprentice for a local shopkeeper.
His time here didn't last particularly long, but the connection has become an important part of the village's story.
Cook subsequently moved to Whitby, where he began the maritime career that eventually took him around the world.
Knowing that adds another little layer to our walk.
We're exploring the same Yorkshire coastal community where one of Britain's most famous navigators spent part of his youth.
The Staithes Group of Artists
The landscape didn't only attract fishermen and sailors.
Around the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th centuries, Staithes became associated with an important group of artists.
The dramatic cliffs, fishing community, changing sea and unusual light provided plenty of inspiration.
It isn't difficult to understand why.
Even for Lyn and me with a camera rather than an easel, there seems to be something worth photographing around every corner.
The harbour, rooftops, cliffs and sea all change depending on where we're standing.
A Proper Working Fishing Village
Although Staithes attracts plenty of visitors today, its character was built around fishing.
At its peak it became one of the important fishing communities along this stretch of the North Yorkshire coast.
That history is still visible in the shape of the village.
The narrow streets and tightly packed houses weren't designed for modern tourism.
They developed around the needs of a community living and working beside the sea.
For us, that's part of Staithes' appeal.
It feels like a place with a story rather than somewhere built simply for visitors.
Coastal Walking Requires Respect
The coastline is beautiful, but it isn't a landscape to take casually.
Cliffs, steep ground, mud, wind and changing weather can all affect a walk.
We keep to the recognised paths and stay well back from cliff edges.
That's particularly important after prolonged wet weather, when erosion and slippery ground can make coastal paths more hazardous.
An up-to-date map or GPS mapping is also recommended by National Trails when walking the Cleveland Way. (National Trail)
Is the Staithes Circular Walk Suitable for Beginners?
We wouldn't choose this as someone's very first countryside walk if conditions were as muddy as when we did it.
It's not an extreme route, but moderate feels right.
Someone comfortable walking around five miles on natural paths should find it manageable with suitable footwear.
If it's been dry for a prolonged period, parts of the route may obviously feel easier.
If it's been raining heavily, expect a different experience.
That's one of the realities of walking in Yorkshire.
The same route can change considerably with the weather.
How Long is the Staithes Circular Walk?
Our GPS-recorded Staithes Circular Walk measures 4.93 miles.
I've checked that directly against the existing White Shire article, which shows the same 4.93-mile distance. (The White Shire)
How long you'll need depends on your pace and the conditions.
Mud definitely slowed us down in places.
And Staithes isn't somewhere we're particularly inclined to rush anyway.
We're stopping to take photographs, admire the coastal views and look back towards the village.
For us, that's part of the walk.
When is the Best Time to Walk Staithes?
This coastline has something to offer throughout much of the year.
Spring and summer give us longer daylight hours and generally better opportunities for enjoying the coastal views.
Autumn can be beautiful too.
Winter brings a completely different atmosphere, but potentially much more challenging ground conditions.
National Trails specifically notes that the coastal Cleveland Way can become very muddy in winter and suggests spring through autumn generally provides a better walking experience. (National Trail)
Whatever the season, we'd check the weather before setting out.
Make Time to Explore the Village
We wouldn't come to Staithes, complete the walk and immediately drive away.
The village deserves some time of its own.
Wandering through the narrow streets and down towards the harbour is part of the experience.
It's also worth occasionally turning around.
Some of the best views are back towards the jumble of cottages rising above the water.
And after nearly five miles of walking – particularly if we've spent part of it negotiating mud – we don't need much persuasion to stop for something to eat or drink.
More North Yorkshire Walks
Staithes adds a coastal route to our growing North Yorkshire collection.
That's important because we want The White Shire to show just how varied Yorkshire walking can be.
One weekend we might be beside the Selby Canal.
Another we're walking through Bishop Wood.
Then we're exploring the Yorkshire Dales.
And now we're following paths above the North Sea.
One county, completely different landscapes.
You can also browse our wider collection of walks across Yorkshire.
Discovering the Real Yorkshire
Staithes is better known than some of the places we've recently featured on The White Shire.
But we can still discover a different side of it.
We could simply arrive, photograph the harbour and leave.
Instead, we put our boots on and head into the surrounding landscape.
We see the village from the cliffs.
We walk part of the Cleveland Way.
We encounter the mud and weather that are part of this coastline.
And when we return to Staithes, we understand its location a little better.
That's what exploring Yorkshire on foot gives us.
The real Yorkshire isn't only about finding places nobody has heard of.
Sometimes it's about taking somewhere well known and discovering more of the landscape and history surrounding it.
About Michael and Lyn
Michael and Lyn Palmer explore Yorkshire together on foot, personally walking, photographing and GPS recording the routes featured on The White Shire.
We're not professional hikers.
We're simply a husband and wife who enjoy getting outside together, discovering interesting places and learning more about Yorkshire along the way.
Our difficulty ratings are based on how we personally experienced each route – including the mud.
Staithes Circular Walk – Our Verdict
Our Staithes Circular Walk measures 4.93 miles.
Lyn and I rate it as moderate.
For us, the muddy sections were one of the main reasons it deserved that rating rather than easy.
But we wouldn't let that put us off.
The combination of Staithes, the North Yorkshire coastline, countryside and sections of the Cleveland Way makes this a really enjoyable route.
There's fishing history, the connection with Captain Cook, the artists who were inspired by the village and some wonderful coastal scenery.
Just don't assume that because you're visiting a picturesque seaside village you're going for a gentle promenade.
Take proper footwear.
If conditions are anything like they were when Lyn and I walked it, you'll be glad you did.
Another memorable 4.93 miles of the real Yorkshire explored on foot.
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