Danby to Whitby
Distance:
14.9 miles, 24 km
Description:
This exhilarating outing gets off on a high note with a trip up to Danby Beacon. The steep pull uphill is easily repaid by the view of the moors and the sea from the top and the exciting off-road freewheel that comes next.
After that, the route winds its way slowly downhill to the sea, along quiet lanes except for one section on a bridleway. Beckoning you on are the delights of Whitby and perhaps even the chance of a dip in the sea!
TIME: 2-3 hours
DIRECTIONS: DANBY TO WHITBY
Start at The Moors Centre, a mile east of Danby village. (If continuing to Whitby after completing the Great Ayton to Danby leg of the Moor to Sea Cycle Network, take the road heading eastwards from the Duke of Wellington Inn, past the doctor's surgery on your R, and continue along the lane until you arrive at The Moors Centre.)
From the tree-lined road behind the Centre, take the turning to Danby Beacon. There is a cottage on one corner and a gamekeeper's store with big wooden doors and gravel forecourt on the other. Start up the lane. After the cattle grid, take a steep L turn signposted to the Beacon.
At the summit, where the road swings left, the cycle route continues straight on along an unmetalled road signposted to Lealholm. Linger awhile to savour the view (and rest your aching legs!). Then push on down the unmetalled road, bearing L at the only fork before meeting the road.
Turn L. Follow the winding road down into a wooded gill, across a beck and back up to where it levels out, with hedgerows on either side. Just after a farm take a narrow lane on the R, with a signpost to Egton. Go straight on down the lane with tremendous views over to Glaisdale. At the next junction turn L.
When you come to a crossroads, turn R and keep going into Egton. Take another R past Ye Horseshoe Inn and the Wheatsheaf Inn. Go L after about 30 metres along a road between buildings, signposted to Grosmont and Sleights.
After a further 150 metres, find a narrow turning on the L between tall hedges. Go along the lane to a T-junction and turn R. Follow this undulating single-track road until it widens and enters Aislaby.
A road joins from the L at a war memorial. Shortly afterwards, take a R turn through a gate opposite the public conveniences, signposted to Ruswarp. Track descends steeply – take care, loose surface.
Pass through an old footgate. The track becomes a tarmac driveway and descends through the grounds of St Oswald's Pastoral Centre. Eventually you arrive at the main road near a bridge over the Esk.
Go straight on and down a road lined with houses. Pass a miniature railway station and a boating lake. Enter Ruswarp. At the T-junction turn R.
On the other side of the iron bridge, take the first L and follow a narrow winding lane for a mile or so to a junction with the A171 on the outskirts of Whitby.
Cross the main road – please take care, traffic here can be very busy – and go straight on. Continue into town. Make a final crossing of the River Esk at the bridge and follow the road round to the L. The cycle route ends a little further on at the railway station.
DIRECTIONS: WHITBY TO DANBY
Start at Whitby railway station. At the big roundabout outside, take the exit furthest from the station, heading towards the estuary. Follow the road round and over the bridge to where it angles sharply R. Continue on this road for half a mile or so until you reach a junction with the A171.
Go straight over – take care, traffic can be very busy. The road climbs through a residential area, becoming a narrow lane which winds its way round the hillside for about a mile before arriving in Ruswarp.
Turn R over the iron bridge and take the first L on the other side of the river. Follow road past boating lake and miniature railway station to another road junction. Go straight over and up the driveway of St Oswald's Pastoral Centre. Climb through woods and past buildings to an old footgate where the tarmac drive gives way to a green lane.
Follow this lane uphill through a series of bends to a gate opposite the public conveniences in Aisalby. Go through the gate and turn L.
Take the L fork at the war memorial. The road narrows to a single track. Keep going past a series of farm turnings. After about 2 miles the road bends sharply to the L. Another ¾ mile further on, ignore a turning on the L. Continue for about 500 metres and take the next L turn.
Follow the lane to a T-junction and turn R. This turning takes you into Egton. Turn R onto the main village street and go past the Wheatsheaf Inn and Ye Horseshoe Inn. Ignore the first L turn. After the war memorial, take the L fork.
Continue to a crossroads. Turn L. After ¾ mile, turn R. Go on down a narrow lane which ends in a T-junction. Turn L. The road passes a farm, dips down into a wooded gill and crosses a beck, then climbs again to pass another two farms. As the fields on your R give way to moorland, ignore a R turn and continue for another 200 metres until you see an unmetalled track on your R. This leads across Lealholm Moor all the way up to Danby Beacon.
When you have enjoyed the view from the Beacon, join the road and turn L to descend into Eskdale. The road bends steeply round to the L and arrives at a T-junction. Turn R, go over a cattle grid, and freewheel down the hill to The Moors Centre, where the cycle route ends.
FACILITIES
Tearooms at The Moors Centre.
Pubs in Danby, Egton, Aislaby, and Ruswarp.
All facilities available in Whitby.
