Fancy an easy coastal walk with sea views? The Whitby to Sandsend circular walk is a great option.
The Whitby to Sandsend circular walk is one of our favourite relaxed walks from town. It follows Sandsend Road out of Whitby, with lovely views across the bay, before returning along the beach when the tide is out. It is a brilliant walk for families, dog walkers and anyone who wants a proper seaside wander without committing to a long-distance hike.
Whitby to Sandsend circular walk: quick details
Difficulty: This circular walk from Whitby to Sandsend is around 6 miles and is generally easy, with pavements, roadside paths, promenade and beach walking. The beach section can feel a little strained underfoot where the sand is soft.
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How long does it take? Allow around 2.5 to 3 hours for the full route, or longer if you plan to stop in Sandsend for lunch, coffee or a wander along the beach.
Terrain: Expect a mix of pavement, roadside walking, promenade and sand. Sturdy trainers should be fine in dry weather, but walking boots are a good choice in winter or after wet weather.
Important: The beach route between Sandsend and Whitby is tide-dependent. Always check the tide times before setting off and only walk back along the beach when the tide is safely out.
Where to start the Whitby to Sandsend circular walk
You can start the Whitby-to-Sandsend circular walk from almost anywhere in Whitby, depending on where you are staying or parking. But one of the easiest places to begin is from Whitby’s West Cliff, near the Whale Bones, Captain Cook Monument and the beach huts.
Starting here keeps the route nice and simple. You can follow Sandsend Road out of Whitby towards Sandsend, then return along the beach when the tide is out. It also means you finish back close to the West Cliff, where there are plenty of places nearby for a drink, an ice cream or something to eat after the walk.
Parking
If you are visiting Whitby for the day, some of the most convenient parking options for this route are around the West Cliff area. West Cliff Car Park is one of the handiest choices, with Pavilion Drive, Pavilion Top and St Hilda’s Terrace car parks also nearby.
Parking in Whitby can get busy on weekends, during school holidays and on sunny days, so arrive early if you can and always check the signs, charges and time limits before leaving the car.
How to follow the Whitby to Sandsend circular walk
This route is simple to follow:
- Start from Whitby’s West Cliff, near the Whale Bones, Captain Cook Monument and beach huts.
- Head towards Sandsend Road and begin following it out of Whitby in the direction of Sandsend.
- Continue along the pavement, passing The White House Inn, where you could stop for a drink overlooking Whitby Golf Club before carrying on.
- Keep following Sandsend Road towards the village. This stretch is fairly straightforward, with sea views along the way.
- When you arrive in Sandsend, head down into the village and towards the beach.
- This is a lovely place to pause for a drink, lunch or a wander along the sand before starting the return walk.
- If the tide is safely out, walk back to Whitby along the beach, with the sea on your left and Whitby in the distance.
- Continue along the sand, passing Upgang Beach as you make your way back towards Whitby.
- When you reach Whitby Beach, head back up towards the beach huts and West Cliff to finish the circular route.
The beach walk back is the highlight of the route, but it is tide-dependent, so always check the tide times before setting off.
Where to stop in Sandsend
Sandsend makes a lovely halfway point, especially if you want to turn the walk into more of a relaxed morning or afternoon out.
Mary’s Sandwich Shop is a great choice for coffee, sandwiches and something casual by the sea, while Sandside Cafe is handy if you want a classic beachside stop before walking back. Fish Cottage is another good option if you fancy seafood or fish and chips close to the beach.
Opening times can vary, especially outside peak season or in poor weather, so it is worth checking before you set off if you have your heart set on a particular place.
Walking back along the beach
The beach is wide and beautiful at low tide, but the sand can be soft in places, so it may take longer than you expect. This is worth keeping in mind if you are walking with young children, dogs or anyone who may find soft sand tiring.
It is also a good idea to use the toilets, grab water or pick up snacks in Sandsend before you set off back to Whitby, as there are no facilities once you are walking along the beach.
On a clear day, this final stretch is lovely. You get big open views across the bay, Whitby Abbey ahead of you and plenty of space to slow down and enjoy the walk back into town.
After the walk
Once you arrive back on the West Cliff, the route has a nice easy finish. If you have parked nearby, you are already close to the main West Cliff car parks, and if you are staying in Whitby, it is simple to head back into town or return to your accommodation.
This is also a good point to get everyone sorted after the beach section, especially if you are walking with children or dogs. Shake off sandy shoes, check everyone has what they came with, and decide whether you want to call it a day or carry on exploring Whitby.
Things to know before you go
A little planning will make the Whitby to Sandsend circular walk much easier, especially if you are walking with children, dogs or anyone who may find sand tiring.
Be mindful on Sandsend Road: The route out of Whitby is straightforward, but some sections run close to the road. Keep children close and dogs on leads where needed.
Check beach restrictions for dogs: Dogs are welcome on many parts of the coast, but seasonal restrictions apply in designated areas of Whitby and Sandsend beaches from 1 May to 30 September. Check the signs before heading onto the sand.
Dress for the coast: Even on a bright day, this stretch can feel breezy. Layers are always useful as the weather can change quickly.
Save the route before you set off: The walk is simple, but it is still handy to have the route saved on your phone, especially if you are starting from somewhere other than the West Cliff.
Have a backup plan: If the tide does not work for the beach return, stay safe and walk back via Sandsend Road instead.
The Whitby to Sandsend circular walk is a lovely option if you want an easy coastal route with sea views, a village stop and a beach walk back into town. It is simple, scenic and easy to fit into a relaxed day in Whitby.
Have you walked from Whitby to Sandsend? Let us know in the comments. We always love hearing about your favourite walks around Whitby.
Fabulous.
Thank you