Ravenscar – Coastal Paths, Views and an Unusual History

Ravenscar lies on a 600-foot-high headland and combines far-reaching coastal views with an unusual local history. Anyone planning a trip involving activity, scenery and historical discoveries will find various paths and circular routes here to suit very different day plans. When choosing your accommodation, you can therefore consider whether you would prefer short walks, a longer hike, a cycle ride or historical sites to be the focus of your visit.

Paths with Different Focal Points

The Cinder Track runs through Ravenscar and is a 21-mile-long walking and cycling route. This makes it an important reference point for anyone wanting to include a longer route in their travel plans. The Cleveland Way gradually climbs to Ravenscar, adding a long-distance walking trail to the selection. For a shorter circuit, the Ravenscar easy walk is a good option: the circular route leads through Ravenscar, invites you to get to know the village and its history, and runs mostly across level ground, earth paths and fields.

There is also a clearly described option for a cycle ride. The Ravenscar easy cycle loop begins and ends at the Ravenscar Visitor Centre. Along this route, there is an opportunity to explore features of “the town that never was”. Anyone travelling with children can also consider the Ravenscar Countryside Trail. The route is designed for families, is 2 miles long and has 10 rubbing panels. In this way, it combines outdoor activity with small moments of discovery along the route.

Coast, Moors and Historical Traces

From Ravenscar, the views follow the coastline for many miles. The 11-mile Ravenscar to Robin Hood's Bay Walk passes through some of the most characteristic landscapes of the North York Moors. A shorter alternative is the 4-mile Howdale Moor and Brow Moor Walk, a circular route with views of the coast from Ravenscar. These different routes help you shape your days according to your preferred length and focus, without having to approach every experience in the same way.

Ravenscar is also defined by the well-preserved remains of the Peak Alum Works. The place is known as “The Town that never was” following the failure of a Victorian plan for an elegant seaside resort. The name refers to an unrealised development and makes the local history an independent part of the visit. South of the village of Ravenscar, directly on a cliff top, lies the Ravenscar Chain Home Low Radar Station. There is also the Roman signal station at Ravenscar, associated with a late dedication slab from the 4th century. The slab was found in 1774 and records the construction of a fort and a tower.

Planning Information for Your Trip

The Ravenscar Visitor Centre provides information about self-guided activities such as geocaching and wildlife watching. For travel to the area, East Yorkshire bus number 5 connects Scarborough and Ravenscar. It runs twice daily from Monday to Saturday. This connection is a specific factor that you can take into account when planning your accommodation and excursions. Depending on your preferred daily itinerary, a holiday apartment or holiday cottage in Ravenscar can therefore serve as a base for walks, cycle rides, coastal views and historical exploration.

If you are planning a longer day of walking, the Cinder Track and the route to Robin Hood's Bay provide two extended options. For shorter outings, the Ravenscar easy walk, the Countryside Trail and the easy cycle loop offer a different pace. This means Ravenscar can be discovered not only through its landscape, but also through the choice of the right route.

Discover More Destinations

For further travel planning, you can also view Bradley, Cray, Middleham, Otterburn, Harrogate, Threshfield, Sandsend and Oswaldkirk.

Return to the main travel overview: North Yorkshire.