The Ruswarp Round Circular Route

 A circular route following the railway and riverside from Whitby to Ruswarp which takes around 1 hour to complete (approx 2 miles).

1. Start at the Whitby Marina car park with the River Esk estuary on your left hand side. Take either the right or left hand footpath past Coates Marine boat yard.

2 After the high level road bridge, continue along the path between the river and the railway line and under the brick built Viaduct arches

3. Follow the footpath to Ruswarp village with views over the River Esk. At the end of the footpath at Ruswarp railway station, go through the pedestrian gate adjacent to an iron bridge and turn right into Ruswarp village. Go over the level crossing.

4. Continue alongside the entrance to the Station with The Bridge Inn Public House on your left and carry on along Ruswarp High Street. Just after passing Jackson’s Butchers, look for the footpath sign pointing to the right marked: PUBLIC FOOTPATH, WHITBY 1 mile.

5. Follow the Monks’ Trod stoned paved footpath walk back to Whitby through two ‘kissing gates’. Shortly after the gates, look for a reed bed on the right - a sanctuary for wildlife

6. Continue up some stone steps, known locally as ‘Fitts Steps’ and just before a metal kissing gate take the right hand path signed WHITBY MARINA and CINDER TRACK. Continue the Ruswarp Round Walk, passing some allotments on your left. Descend steps to cross the disused Prospect Hill railway line and climb the steps on the opposite side of the track. Continue on the footpath and through a wooden gate. Cross the Scarborough – Whitby Cinder Track and follow the footpath in the direction of the signpost marked Whitby (with a Leaping Salmon icon) on the opposite side of the track. Note: there are panoramic views from the Victorian viaduct on the right.

7. Following the Whitby ‘Leaping Salmon’ signs go straight on, keeping the Caedmon School playing fields fence on your left. At the end of the football field bear right before a hedge and walk towards a pantile roof cottage. Go through the gap at the left hand side of the cottage and cross the school coach parking area. Proceed on to the main Whitby-Scarborough road. Cross the main road and turn right. After a short distance, facing the road bridge, look for the opening to the tarmac path on the left, signed Public Footpath. Follow the path down to the bottom of the hill where it meets Waterstead Lane. Turn right and shortly after some new cottages, take the track towards the railway level crossing

8. Cross the level crossing if safe to do so and return to the start.