Scarborough to Filey, North Yorkshire UK

• 5-star hike
• 8 to 10 miles one way
• Moderate | Gain 290-350m (950-1,150ft)
• Filey & Scarborough, UK | North Yorkshire
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The image shows a scenic view of a coastal town with a beach, buildings, and a body of water. The town is situated along a curved bay with sandy shores. Prominent buildings with domed roofs are visible in the foreground, likely part of a historic or notable structure. The town extends along the coastline with a mix of residential and commercial buildings. A hill with a structure on top is visible in the background, adding to the picturesque landscape. The sky is partly cloudy, and the overall atmosphere is calm and serene.

Scarborough's South Bay and Spa Theater.

Popular as a seaside resort since the early seventeenth century, Scarborough still thrives today, with visitors flocking to the North Yorkshire town for its beaches, parks, history and many attractions. Things to see include Scarborough Castle, North Bay's Peasholm Park and miniature railway, South Bay's beach and harbour, combined with a well-regarded theater and a couple of museums. This coastal hike connects Scarborough with the smaller resort town of Filey, which also marks the start of the 109 mile Cleveland Way path.

We chose to begin our walking journey from the center of Filey, picking up the start of the Cleveland Way by Filey Brigg and walking north in the direction of Scarborough. Tackling the route in the opposite direction is likely to be just as rewarding and involves around the same amount of elevation gain.

Trail Options Expand KML · Google Earth ·

⬤ 5★ Scarborough to Filey 8.0 mi one way, moderate, gain 310m (1,030ft) N-S, or 300m (980ft) S-N
AllTrails · GPX File · Directions

⬤ 5★ Station to Station 9.6 mi one way, moderate, gain 360m (1,170ft) N-S, or 380m (1,240ft) S-N
AllTrails · GPX File · Directions

A one-way hike of this route is easy thanks to public transit. We've included an extended version of this trail that connects the railway stations of Scarborough and Filey, though you can also use a public bus or a taxi service instead. Here's a link to the Rome2Rio website that describes the options available to you.

Surrounded by wildflowers and various seabirds, the narrow trail leads along cliff edges past panoramic North Sea views, beaches and diverse landscapes. A mid-way stop at Cayton Bay and its long sandy beach is a great way to catch your breath and enjoy a cup of tea from the cafe next to the trail. Watch out for the boxy concrete structures on the beach - these are the remains of several World War II defense structures, including pillboxes, gun emplacements and the remains of tank traps.

The image shows a person walking along a narrow, grassy path on a coastal cliff. The person is wearing a blue long-sleeve shirt and gray pants. The path is surrounded by lush green vegetation and wildflowers. In the background, there is a scenic view of the coastline with cliffs, the ocean, and a partly cloudy sky. The landscape is expansive, with fields and distant land visible across the water.

Cleveland Way coastal views.

We were tempted to rate this trail as easy because most of the walk is over relatively flat terrain, though there are several brief hilly sections to tackle, which may leave some folk out of breath. Just north of Cayton Bay we've shown a diversionary route in blue that avoid one of these short hill climbs, but it does mean you'll be walking on a paved footpath adjacent to a road, instead of trail.

Free car parking can be found in residential neighborhoods of Filey and Scarborough and paid parking is also available at both resorts. Our driving directions above link to free Scarborough roadside parking, and a paid lot by Filey Brigg. Blue dots on our map show several parking opportunities close to the trail.

The image shows a historic stone church with a clock on its tower, surrounded by a graveyard with numerous headstones and grave markers. The church has a rectangular tower with battlements and arched windows. The graveyard is overgrown with grass, and some of the headstones are tilted or leaning. The sky is partly cloudy, and there is a bird flying above the church.

Saint Oswalt's Church, close to Filey.

The image shows a scenic coastal landscape with a view of a long, curving shoreline bordered by cliffs and grassy areas. The water is a vibrant blue-green, and the sky is mostly clear with some scattered clouds. The coastline extends into the distance, with a town or settlement visible on the far side of the bay.

The coastal walk, with Scarborough in the distance.

Tangents:
• Official: Cleveland Way
• Public Map at AllTrails: Scarborough to Filey
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