Filey to Cayton Bay walk.

Feb 3, 2023

7 min read

Updated: Aug 7

Filey to Cayton Bay Walk – A Moderate Yorkshire Coastal Walk

The walk from Filey to Cayton Bay gives us some wonderful Yorkshire coastal scenery, but this isn't one we'd describe as an easy seaside stroll.

Lyn and I walked the route one way from Filey to Cayton Bay and caught the bus back afterwards.

We rate it as moderate.

Much of the walk follows the coastal path, where there are sections that can be tricky underfoot, changes in level and places where we're walking relatively close to steep cliffs.

But that's also what makes the route so enjoyable.

We're leaving the traditional seaside town of Filey behind and following the North Yorkshire coastline towards the beautiful sweep of Cayton Bay, with the North Sea beside us for much of the journey.

Explore more North Yorkshire Walks on The White Shire

Filey to Cayton Bay Walk at a Glance

Route type: Linear – one way

Difficulty: Moderate – based on our experience

Start: Filey

Finish: Cayton Bay

Return journey: We caught the bus back

County: North Yorkshire

Area: Yorkshire Coast

Terrain: Coastal paths, cliff-top paths, climbs and descents

Highlights: Filey, Filey Brigg, Cleveland Way, North Sea views and Cayton Bay

Important: Some sections of the coastal path can be tricky

Walked and photographed by: Michael and Lyn Palmer, The White Shire

Our Filey to Cayton Bay Walk

This is exactly the sort of coastal walk Lyn and I enjoy.

Rather than creating a circular route simply for the sake of finishing where we started, we walked in one direction and used public transport to get back.

That opens up some really interesting possibilities for walking in Yorkshire.

We can cover a continuous stretch of coastline without retracing our steps, and every mile takes us somewhere new.

The bus journey back also makes the logistics relatively straightforward.

For us, that's all part of the day out rather than simply being a way of getting back to the car.

Starting in Filey

Filey is a lovely place to begin.

Compared with some of Yorkshire's larger seaside resorts, it still has a quieter, more traditional atmosphere.

The town developed significantly during the Victorian period. Filey's railway station opened in 1846, making the coast much easier to reach and helping the town develop as a seaside destination. (Filey)

But we're not staying in town for long.

Our destination is further north along the coast.

Following the Yorkshire Coast

Once we're onto the coastal section, the character of the walk changes completely.

We've got the North Sea beside us, open skies above and a coastline constantly changing ahead.

This is part of what makes Yorkshire coastal walking so enjoyable.

The landscape never feels static.

Headlands appear and disappear, bays open up below us and the cliffs continually change our perspective.

But coastal walking demands more attention than a promenade.

We're on natural paths rather than smooth surfaces, and that affects our moderate rating.

The Cleveland Way

Much of this stretch is associated with one of England's great long-distance walking routes – the Cleveland Way.

The Cleveland Way runs for 109 miles from Helmsley, crossing the North York Moors before reaching the coast at Saltburn-by-the-Sea and following it south to Filey Brigg. (GOV.UK)

The official route between Scarborough and Filey passes above Cayton Bay before continuing towards Filey Brigg. (National Trail)

We're only experiencing a small section, but it gives us a proper taste of what makes the coastal Cleveland Way so spectacular.

Explore the Cleveland Way National Trail

Why We Rate This Walk Moderate

Our White Shire difficulty ratings are based on how Lyn and I actually experienced each route.

We rate Filey to Cayton Bay as moderate.

It's not simply about distance.

The coastal path itself can be tricky in places.

There are changes in level, natural surfaces and sections where we need to pay more attention to where we're putting our feet.

Filey Tourism's own guide to the Filey–Cayton Bay route also grades it moderate, mentioning several steep descents and climbs and warning that the path passes close to steep cliff edges in places. (Filey Tourism & Trade Association)

That fits very closely with our experience.

Some Parts of the Coastal Path Can Be Tricky

This is something we'd want anybody finding the walk through The White Shire to know beforehand.

There are parts of the coastal path where we need to take care.

We're not suggesting it's an extreme hike, but we wouldn't describe it as an easy family promenade either.

The official Cleveland Way information describes some of its coastal sections as challenging and warns that they can become particularly muddy during winter. (National Trail)

Weather obviously makes a difference.

After heavy rain, we'd expect natural coastal paths to require considerably more care.

Proper walking footwear is definitely worthwhile.

Keep Away from the Cliff Edge

The cliffs give us the views, but they also need respecting.

Filey Tourism specifically warns walkers that the route passes close to steep cliff edges at times. (Filey Tourism & Trade Association)

We keep to the established path and don't go wandering towards the edge simply to get a better photograph.

Coastal erosion is a continuing process along this part of Yorkshire, so the landscape itself can change.

This isn't somewhere we'd take unnecessary risks.

The view is perfectly good from the path.

Looking Back Towards Filey

One of the advantages of walking a linear coastal route is watching our starting point gradually disappear behind us.

Filey looks completely different when viewed from the surrounding cliffs.

The broad sweep of Filey Bay becomes much easier to appreciate from higher ground.

We find ourselves stopping and looking backwards almost as often as we're looking ahead.

That's another reason we never worry too much about how quickly we're covering the miles.

Half the enjoyment is stopping to look.

Arriving at Cayton Bay

Cayton Bay gives us a fitting destination.

The broad sandy bay sits beneath the surrounding cliffs and feels considerably more open and natural than arriving in a busy town centre.

The official Cleveland Way route passes above Cayton Bay on its journey between Scarborough and Filey, highlighting it as one of the major landscapes on this final coastal section of the National Trail. (National Trail)

After following the cliffs from Filey, seeing the bay open out ahead of us gives the walk a proper sense of destination.

Getting the Bus Back

And this is an important part of our particular route.

We didn't walk back to Filey.

We caught the bus.

For linear walks like this, public transport can be incredibly useful.

Rather than doubling the mileage by retracing exactly the same route, we get to walk continuously in one direction and then let somebody else do the work on the return journey.

The current official Cleveland Way information confirms that regular public transport options operate along the Scarborough–Filey section of the trail. (GOV.UK)

We'd always check current bus times before setting off, as services can change.

Is Filey to Cayton Bay Suitable for Beginners?

That depends on the individual.

Someone already comfortable walking on natural countryside and coastal paths should find it manageable.

But if somebody's idea of an easy coastal walk is a flat promenade, this isn't the same thing.

Our moderate rating is there for a reason.

There are climbs and descents, cliff-top sections and places where the path can be tricky.

We'd rather somebody arrive properly prepared and find the route easier than expected than underestimate it because the words "coastal walk" sound gentle.

A Different Way to Explore Filey

We've now got more than one White Shire walk around Filey.

Our Filey Bay – Filey Loop is an easier 4.35-mile route exploring the town, bay and Filey Brigg.

This walk gives us something different.

Instead of circling back into Filey, we're heading north along the coastline towards Cayton Bay.

That's exactly how we want The White Shire walking collection to develop.

Different distances, difficulty levels and styles of walk mean people can find something that suits the day they want.

Browse The White Shire's Yorkshire Walks

Discovering the Real Yorkshire

This route sums up why we enjoy exploring Yorkshire on foot.

Filey is well known.

Cayton Bay is well known.

But walking between them gives us something completely different from simply driving from one to the other.

We experience the landscape connecting the two places.

We see the cliffs, the changing coastline and the North Sea.

We tackle the trickier sections of the path.

And eventually we arrive at Cayton Bay knowing we've travelled there on our own two feet.

Then we catch the bus back.

That's real walking for us.

It doesn't have to be an epic expedition.

Sometimes it's simply choosing two places on the Yorkshire coast and discovering what lies between them.

About Michael and Lyn

Michael and Lyn Palmer explore Yorkshire together on foot, personally walking and photographing 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 as we go.

Our difficulty ratings reflect how we personally experienced each route.

Filey to Cayton Bay Walk – Our Verdict

Lyn and I rate our Filey to Cayton Bay Walk as moderate.

It's a linear route rather than a circular, and we caught the bus back after reaching Cayton Bay.

For us, that's actually part of its appeal.

We can concentrate on exploring a continuous stretch of the North Yorkshire coastline without needing to retrace our steps.

The coastal path can be tricky in places, and there are climbs, descents and sections close to steep cliffs. That's why we wouldn't put this one into our easy category. The official guidance for both this particular stretch and the wider Cleveland Way supports taking extra care on the coastal sections. (National Trail)

But the reward is some fantastic Yorkshire coastal scenery.

Filey behind us.

Cayton Bay ahead.

The North Sea alongside us.

And a bus waiting to save our legs for the journey back.

Another part of the real Yorkshire explored on foot.