Cleveland Way, Stage 5. Gribdale Gate to Saltburn-by-the-Sea.

An even better way for weather today; a pleasant mix of sun and cloud with perfect temperatures for walking.  We were away early from Gribdale Gate, climbing quickly onto the moor once moor where we followed the edge with excellent views across to Roseberry Topping, now our next objective.  The path first descends before climbing up to marrow ridge to the fine summit commanding 360 degree views: back over the moors, north to industrial Teeside and east to today's final distant objective.  From here we had our first sight of the sea which will become our close neighbour for the second half of the walk.  From the summit we were able to look down on Great Broughton and Newton Woods which seemed, from this vantage point, to be full of bluebells; a photographic target for tomorrow.

Eventually we had to drag ourselves away from the summit and, for the fist time, leave this fine hill behind us.  The walk took us first across moorland and then gradually descending through the beautiful Guisborough Forest which kept providing superb viewpoints to the coast and our destination.

Eventually we dropped down to the main road before climbing through coconut scented gorse bushes to the opposite hillside.  Now came a gradual descent through, first farmland, and then the outskirts of Skelton before reaching the beautiful gorge of Sketlton and Saltburn Beck.  Down here we were mightily impressed, first by the towering railway viaduct crossing the valley and then by the mass of ramsons or wild garlic that filled the woods.  The viaduct carries the railway to Boulby mine, with the deepest mineshaft in England, its only destination.

Finally we emerged into the lovely Victorian seaside town of Saltburn.  We were rather late for cups of tea here so we returned to the Wainstones where it was time for pints of brown and frothy!!
To view large, please click on an image.