Z is for... Cleveland Way

Yes. I admit it. I'll be lucky to get a D- for this Z post because the link is nebulous to say the least! But I'm right in the middle of a series about Yorkshire and that's entirely Jenny's fault for putting Y before Z in the alphabet! 

So what is the link? The scenery on this walk is amaZing. The path sort of ZigZags its way down the coast and I could sit for hours and gaZe at the sea from the cliff tops.

If you can live with that... please enjoy the rest :)

The Cleveland Way is one of Britain's Long Distance footpaths. A total distance of 110 miles (177km), it was opened in 1969, becoming the second National Trail in England and Wales. There are currently fifteen such trails; the first being the rather more famous Pennine Way (1965).

Beginning from the market town of Helmsley in North Yorkshire, the Cleveland Way loops northwards in an arc, crossing the heather wilderness of the North Yorkshire Moors National Park until it reaches the coast at the Victorian town of Saltburn by the Sea. From here, it follows the coastline south to it's finishing point on Filey Brig, crossing the highest cliffs in England (Boulby cliffs 666' above sea level) and passing through a wealth of small fishing villages and towns (including Robin Hood's Bay), as well as the rather larger resort of Scarborough.

I've only walked the coastal section (20 years ago in it's entirity and parts of it since then), but the whole walk traverses dramatic and beautiful scenery and the halfway transition from moorland to coast means you get the best of both worlds!

I do remember that the coastal section involved a lot of ups and downs, but none of them were excessive :) Anyway, the interest of the little coves and inlets set against the breeZe and openness of the cliff tops made all the climbing totally worthwhile. (Woohoo, I just spotted another Z there!)

And the footpath is extremely well maintained throughout, with cracking views up and down the coastline. This is gaZing back towards Robin Hood's Bay from near the top of Ravenscar. At the right time of year, this section of path is alight with yellow gorse!

For more information about this National Trail, follow the link. Amongst loads of other information, it will tell you the record time in which the trail has been completed! Wha..! The record holder Zoomed along the path!! (Quite an achievement, but what a waste!)

In slight trepidation, I am linking this 'Z' post to Jenny Matlock's Alphabe-Thursday. For other more genuine Z posts, do follow this link :)