Staithes and Port Mulgrave

A 4 mile (6.4 km) complete circular loop from Bank Top above Staithes, taking around 2 hours 30 minutes at a steady pace. Graded moderate: roughly 118 m of climbing, uneven clifftop and woodland sections, gates, steps and at least two stiles. This is not the longer Staithes to Runswick Bay walk, and not a flat coastal promenade.

You drop from the car park down the bank into the old village, with its tight lanes and working harbour, then climb steeply out to the cliff top. From there the route runs east along the Cleveland Way to Port Mulgrave, before turning inland across fields and through woodland via Dalehouse and returning up Staithes Lane to the start.

The payoff is the contrast: the tightly packed stone village and harbour, then open sea and clifftop views, then the remains of Port Mulgrave's nineteenth century ironstone harbour with its scatter of fishermen's huts. Staithes itself carries a long fishing and coble tradition, still visible in the shape of the village. The inland half is quieter and greener, a deliberate wind down rather than a highlight.

• About 1 km of asphalt and a short stretch of road, roughly 2.3 km of path, and around 1.6 km of rougher forest and wild trail.
• The steep climb from Staithes harbour to the cliff top is the hardest part and comes early.
• Expect steps and a descent then re-ascent in the woods, plus uneven ground on the field and woodland sections.
• The inland return passes through gates and at least two stiles.

The seaward cliff edge is unfenced with a steep drop, so keep well back along the Cleveland Way section. The route also includes two crossings of the busy A174, which need patience. Livestock may be present in some of the fields on the inland return.

Dogs are welcome. Keep them on a short lead near the cliff edge and anywhere livestock are present.

Start from Bank Top car park, 68 Staithes Lane, TS13 5AD. Do not drive down into the old village; there are car parks at the top of the bank and the route begins from the upper car park area. Toilets are available at the start and finish area. Refreshments can be found in Staithes and at Dalehouse, and there is a clifftop option at Port Mulgrave which keeps its own stated opening pattern, so treat it as a bonus rather than a plan.

The strongest subjects are the harbour and packed rooftops of Staithes seen from the bank and the cliff top, the open sea views along the Cleveland Way, and the old harbour remains and huts at Port Mulgrave. Allow extra time beyond the 2 hour 30 minute estimate if you intend to stop and shoot.