Scenic Winter Walks

With hills to climb and vast views to see, there’s an abundance of walks on the Yorkshire Coast. Here are some of our favourites.

Fraisthorpe Beach

Situated just south of Bridlington, Fraisthorpe is a beautiful, quieter sandy beach 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.

However, this beach isn’t just a peaceful destination to unwind; it also holds decades of history, as you can now spot debris from sea defences and World War II structures. Low cliffs also back the beach; as you head north up the coast, you will find some breathtaking views and cliff-top scenery.

Littlebeck and Falling Foss

One of the most favoured places to explore on the North Yorkshire Coast is the Falling Foss waterfall and the 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 stunning waterfall is soon reached, with a 30-foot drop that looks quite spectacular, especially after heavy rain in the winter. The walk continues to Littlebeck affording views of the surrounding countryside. 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.

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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 total distance from Filey to Hunmamby gap along the seafront, approximately 5km each way.

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 on the way, and, at low tide, you can walk as far as the white chalk cliffs at Speeton.

Kilnsea Wetlands

A stop-off at Withernsea’s Kilnsea Wetlands is a must for walkers and nature lovers. This wild and wonderful reserve is being developed to provide refuge for passage and wintering roosting waters, making it a great wildlife observation spot in the autumn and winter. Check the tides to coincide with your visit, as you’ll likely see more significant numbers with a high tide. Freshwater and saline pools with islands, spits and wetland grassland with seasonal scapes can also be seen in this area.

No two days are the same at Kilnsea, as the landscape is unique and ever-changing. If you’re feeling extra adventurous just south of Kilnsea, you’ll find Spurn National Nature Reserve, a similar wildlife haven.

Mappleton Beach

Located just 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. However, Mappleton is a petrologist’s dream as the beaches eroding cliffs reveal Jurassic and cretaceous rocks, including corals, molluscs, and ammonites. Mappleton is one of the best beaches in East Yorkshire, and without a doubt, it’s a hidden treasure.

Additionally, you can easily walk from Hornsea to Mappleton Beach without navigating busy roads or residential areas. Instead, you can stick to the sand and take in the stunning coastline during your walk.

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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 trackbed 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.