Ruswarp ~ Easy Walk

 

Distance Covered: 3.5 miles Time to Complete Walk 2 hours

Suitable for dog walking: Yes

The last stop on the Esk Valley Line, Ruswarp is a charming village outside Whitby perched beside the River Esk. This walk takes you onto the old Cinder Track to Whitby station. Then walk past the marina onto a lovely path beside the railway back to Ruswarp. Great for railway enthusiasts!

General Safety Tips: No issues

                                                   The Ruswarp Walk

Getting There

From Middlesbrough you can get the train to Whitby which is a lovely train journey through the Esk Valley. Alternatively take the A171 Guisborough Road to Whitby and in Whitby take the roundabout on a left turn to Ruswarp which is Ruswarp Lane. In Ruswarp take a right turn just before the Bridge Inn to Sleights. Roadside parking can be found next to the boat house. 

                                                                  Maps of the Ruswarp Walk 

The Walk

From the boathouse head back into Ruswarp and turn right for a detour the Ruswarp station.

Head back into Ruswarp passing the church on your left and look for an alleyway on your right just after the butchers shop.

Head down the alleyway which is a flagstone path into the open meadow. Go through two gates and follow the path as it veers to the left. 

Follow the flagstone path up some steps until you come to a three finger signpost.

Head in the direction of Whitby Marina and climb some more steps.

At the top turn right and head right and down some steps onto a path.

Follow the path to the left under a bridge which soon merges with the larger Cinder track coming from the right.

Follow the track through a small tunnel and then take the steps down on your left to the road below.

Turn left and head through the tunnel and onto the main road. Cross over to the other side.

Follow the pavement on Bagdale which bends to the right to the railway station which is worth a look.

From the railway station head right towards the Marina carparks. A pitstop for fish and chips is hard to resist. Head past the car parks until you come to Coates Marina.

Look for a path near the railway which is sigposted to Ruswarp. This is a nice little path and you hopefully rewarded with a passing train!

The path takes you straight back to Ruswarp station and head through the gate, turn right and head back to the boathouse or where you parked your car.

Ruswarp

Northern Rail serves the station and Bus services connect the village to the surrounding area. The village is served by local shops including Jackson's of Ruswarp, and Colin Duck Grocer and Off-licence. There is a pub, the Bridge Inn and a parish church, the Church of St Bartholomew. Primary education is catered for by Ruswarp Church of England primary school. There was a Post Office on the high street which closed down several years ago after losing the franchise, and is now converted into a private residence.

Crossing the River Esk downstream is a railway viaduct, 120 feet high, built (using 5,250,000 bricks) to carry the Scarborough-to-Whitby line, which closed in 1965. The viaduct is now owned by Sustrans and carries "The Cinder Track", a walk/cycleway along the former Whitby-to-Scarborough railway line. The River Esk was used to power corn mills in the village but the last closed in 1962. The weir that was built to channel water into a mill race has been adapted to power a hydro-electric project on its southern bank. The Ruswarp Hydro project started generating electricity in December 2012.

The village lies on the Esk Valley Walk, a national hiking trail. There is a physically undemanding walk between Ruswarp and Whitby (approximately 1½ miles) mostly along a stone pannierway, known as Monks Trod, signposted from the main street in Ruswarp.

The village also hosts one of the area's tourist attractions, Esk Leisure, which consists of Mini Monsterz Indoor Play with pottery painting and laser tag. Also at Esk Leisure is Outdoor Laser Combat and a Farm Park which previously was 9-hole Pitch and Putt golf that closed in October 2009. Opposite Esk Leisure is Ruswarp Pleasure Boats. Established in 1874 customers can rent rowing boats or canoes to explore the sheltered waters that offer a unique opportunity to access the only migratory Salmon river in Yorkshire. There is also a miniature steam railway for children and adults.