Best winter walks along the Yorkshire coast

While the cold weather and dark days can be an excuse to curl up under a blanket, itinerary planner Route YC has scouted a selection of wonderful winter walks across the Yorkshire Coast that will have you leaving the sofa in no time.

Fraisthorpe Beach

Situated just south from Bridlington, Fraisthorpe is a beautiful, quieter sandy beach which is perfect for a peaceful winter stroll. You will find tons of soft sand as the tide drifts out a long way, making it great for dog walkers all year round.

The beach also holds decades of history as you are now able to spot debris from sea defences and World War Two structures.

The beach is also backed by low cliffs and as you head north up the beach, you will find some breathtaking views and cliff-top scenery.

Hunmanby Gap

Hunmamby Gap is a large expanse of sandy beach that is perfect if you are looking for a more unspoiled, and relaxing seaside walk.

When the tide is out, you can walk the full distance from Filey to Hunmanby gap along the seafront.

If you choose to walk in the opposite direction, you will reach the tidy, secluded beach at Reighton, where you’ll be able to take in even more awe-inspiring views.

At Reighton the descent can be steep and muddy, however this is a great place to take children for a spot of fossil-hunting along the way and, at low tide, you can walk as far as the white chalk cliffs at Speeton.

Mappleton Beach

Located 3.5 miles South of Hornsea, Mappleton Beach is quiet and more secluded than other Yorkshire beaches that can often get busy, even during the colder months.

Mappleton is a petrologist’s dream as the beaches and eroding cliffs reveal Jurassic and cretaceous rocks including corals, molluscs, and ammonites. Mappleton is one of the best beaches in East Yorkshire.

You can easily walk from Hornsea to Mappleton Beach without having to navigate busy roads or residential areas. You can stick to the sand and take in the stunning coastline during your walk.

Cloughton to Hayburn Wyke

One of the more challenging walks, this five-mile circular walk follows an exhilarating stretch of the Cleveland Way National Trail footpath above the cliffs to Hayburn Wyke, before returning along the track-bed of the old Scarborough to Whitby railway line.

Starting at Cloughton Station, northwest of Scarborough, you will explore the wooded valley of Hayburn Wyke, which reaches down to a magnificent rocky cove complete with a tumbling waterfall and spectacular giant boulders.

Littlebeck and Falling Foss

One of the most favoured places to explore on the North Yorkshire Coast is the Falling Foss waterfall and surrounding woodland area. It’s a perfect place to visit with family, as the walk is not too difficult for younger children.

Starting in the Forestry Commission car park near Falling Foss, the waterfall is soon reached.

The walk continues on to Littlebeck. From Littlebeck, the coast-to-coast path is followed back towards Falling Foss through Little Beck Wood Nature Reserve, passing the Hermitage at the top of the wooded gorge.