- On trail 17.7 mi 28.5 km
- Walking time 8–9 h
- Ascent 640 m 2,100 ft
- Descent 680 m 2,250 ft
- Difficulty Moderate
England's highest east-coast cliff, and the fishing villages beyond it.
Section 6: Saltburn-by-the-Sea to Sandsend map
Example stay Estbek House Hotel (opens in a new tab)
Cross-check: National Trails route description . Opened 29 October 2026. The distance at the top of this page is measured between these ends. The route page's miles stay in the answers below.
The walk
From Saltburn the path climbs straight onto the cliffs, with farmland on one side and the sea on the other. It drops hard into Skinningrove. Then a long rise leads to Boulby, at 203 m the highest cliff on England's east coast. Staithes and Runswick Bay sit in their bays below, and Kettleness, near the end, slipped into the sea in 1829.
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Start of section
Saltburn-by-the-Sea
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Boulby Cliff
The highest cliff on England's east coast, 203 m (666 ft). Boulby Potash, below it, is the deepest mine in Europe.
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Lunch
Staithes
A fishing village packed into its cove below the cliffs, with pubs, cafés and tea shops. A good place for lunch, or for the night.
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Runswick Bay
The next bay south, with food, drink and beds by the shore. The night on the 9-day and the 6-day.
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End of section
Sandsend
Section 6: Saltburn-by-the-Sea to Sandsend overview
The ground
- Cliff path
- Steep drops
- Fishing villages
The longest official section, and the climbs are sharper than the map suggests. The highest cliff on the coast is on this section. Robin Hood's Bay to Scarborough has more short drops; this one has the biggest single climb.
Stops
Refreshments
- Saltburn
- Skinningrove
- Staithes
- Runswick Bay
- Sandsend
Toilets
- The route page does not name a public toilet on this section
Before you go
Opposite direction
Sandsend to Saltburn-by-the-Sea
From Sandsend the bays at Runswick and Staithes are the early climbs. The long rise to Boulby fills the middle of the day. After the steep drop to Skinningrove, an easy cliff top runs to Saltburn and its pier.
End of section
Saltburn-by-the-Sea
Saltburn-by-the-Sea to Sandsend FAQ
How long is Saltburn to Sandsend?
The route page lists 17.5 miles (28 km). The distance at the top of this page is measured between these ends. No plan walks it as one day.
Which plans sleep at Staithes or Runswick Bay?
The 9-day and the 6-day sleep at Runswick Bay. The 5-, 7-, 8-, 10- and 11-day plans stop at Staithes.
Can I download a GPX for Saltburn-by-the-Sea to Sandsend?
Yes. Use the GPX button at the top of this page. It is this section's line, for Garmin, Komoot, or your phone. Open the planner if you want a file built around your overnight stops.
Walk this as a day
Day 6 of the 9-day ends at Runswick Bay, part way along. Open the planner on that preset, then export a full-trip or per-day GPX.
Open in planner Read the 9-day itinerary
Full-trip and per-day GPX files. Free, no account.
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