The best walks and hikes around Mulgrave Woods

Public access to Mulgrave Woods is generally restricted to Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays. The woods are closed to the public for the entire month of May. It's always a good idea to check for the most current opening times before your visit, which you can often find on local sites like Visit Whitby.

The most common starting point is the village of Sandsend, which has a public car park. From there, you can easily access the main paths leading into the woods. Some routes may start from other nearby villages like Newholm, so check your chosen trail for the best parking.

Yes, dogs are generally welcome in Mulgrave Woods, making it a popular spot for dog walkers. To protect the local wildlife and ensure a pleasant experience for everyone, it is recommended to keep your dog on a lead, especially around the streams and historic ruins.

Absolutely. The woods have numerous gentle trails suitable for families. A great option is the Mulgrave Castle Ruins – Mulgrave Castle Ruins loop from Newholm-cum-Dunsley. It's a relatively flat and manageable walk that still allows you to experience the beauty of the woods and the historic castle.

Walks can range from short strolls of about an hour to more involved hikes lasting over three hours. For example, the Deep Grove Alum Quarry – Sandsend Ness loop from Sandsend is a pleasant walk of around 3.2 miles (5.1 km) that usually takes less than 90 minutes.

The main historical landmark is the romantic ruins of the 13th-century Old Mulgrave Castle, which is a centerpiece of many trails. You can also find traces of the area's industrial past, such as the former Deep Grove Alum Quarry, which was part of a significant local industry.

Yes, the woods are known for their charming scenery. As you walk, you'll follow babbling streams like Sandsend Beck, which features several small, pretty waterfalls. For impressive views, seek out the paths that climb to the ridge within the woods, offering panoramic vistas over the valley.

The area is highly rated by the komoot community, with an average score of 4.6 stars. Hikers often praise the sheltered, peaceful atmosphere of the woodlands, the well-maintained paths, and the delightful combination of forest scenery, historical ruins, and nearby coastal views.

Yes, combining woodland and coast is one of the highlights of hiking here. The Whitby Harbour – 199 Steps, Whitby loop from Sandsend is a perfect example, offering a longer route that takes you from the coast into the woods and then along the shoreline to the iconic harbour.

There are over 280 hiking routes to explore in and around Mulgrave Woods. These range from over 120 easy walks perfect for a casual day out to more than 140 moderate trails for those seeking a bit more of a challenge.

Besides the woods themselves, hikers often explore the surrounding area. The Cleveland Way is a famous long-distance path that passes nearby, offering dramatic coastal cliff walks. For a different experience, The Cinder Track, a 21-mile former railway line from Whitby to Scarborough, provides a flatter, tree-lined route popular with walkers and cyclists.