Best winter dog walks in Whitby
Whitby is nestled in North Yorkshire, a jewel in the Cleveland Heritage Coast and North York Moors National Park, and is also in close proximity to Robin Hood’s Bay and Ravenscar. When holidaying in Whitby with your dog, every direction presents you with beautiful scenery and nature for walks that can be enjoyed not only through the warmer summer months but also during winter.
Whitby and its surrounding areas become even more dog-friendly during the colder months, in fact, as most beaches lift their dog restrictions.
Here is a selection of our favourite winter dog walks around Whitby and further afield.
Whitby to Sandsend walk
This three-and-a-half-mile walk will take you and your dog along the beach, which offers beautiful views of the sea, cliffs, and local wildlife.
As this route is extremely popular with dog walkers, the chances are you will meet other dogs along the way for your furry friend to have fun with.
There are no dog restrictions on the beach during winter months, which will enable your dog to run free and enjoy a game of fetch.
Make sure to check if the tide is out before you set off on your walk.
We recommend walking to Sandsend and grabbing fish and chips at one of the dog-friendly pubs there, before heading back to Whitby.
Ravenscar
A three and a bit mile walk up on the cliffs at Ravenscar will allow you to experience the spectacular views, with a 600 foot drop down to sea level.
Overall, this is a great walk with varied surfaces and scenery. Ravenscar has a wheelchair and pushchair-friendly one-and-a-half-mile route as well, which dogs also enjoy.
Staithes
The fishing village of Staithes is just ten miles outside of Whitby and offers walks of different lengths.
Walk for two miles on the cliffs to Port Mulgrave for gorgeous coastal views. This walk will take you and your four-legged friend through picturesque woodland and farmland, and there are several cafes in Port Mulgrave to warm up in with a wintery hot chocolate.
As the bus between Staithes and Whitby only runs in the summer months, in winter, most visitors choose to travel by car and then follow a walking route in the surrounding countryside.
If you wish to take a shorter stroll, wander around the fishing village’s cobbled streets and alleys and take in the atmosphere.
May Beck and Falling Foss
On the shorter side, this circular route is just two miles long but perfect for a winter walk or run with your dog through Yorkshire woodland.
Warm up in the dog-friendly tea garden afterwards with a lovely warming cuppa.
Robin Hood’s Bay
This walk’s location is a bit further away from Whitby but presents a dramatic stretch of cliffs which are certainly worth the visit.
Take the coastal path or navigate the looping inland trails, which stretch through fields and country roads.
The Robin Hood’s Bay – Ravenscar loop is a popular dog-walking route with good reason.
This eight-mile hike features many ups and downs, making it a great exercise for both dogs and their owners.
It may be tempting to spend winter days curled up on the sofa eating mince pies — especially if you’re enjoying a break in one of our cosy cottages. However, if you wrap up and head out for a scenic walk around Whitby with your dog, you will not regret it and your best friend will love you even more for it!
