Coast at Filey

The Coast at Filey offers a pleasant walk in spectacular coastal scenery. Filey Brigg is the rocky promenade where you can scramble down to the shoreline. As an added benefit the town itself is full of interest.

The Walk

Filey Brigg is a spectacular rock promontory to the north of the town it is named after. As a result it makes for a popular spot, particularly pleasant for a late evening summer’s walk. It was peaceful and pleasant when I visited but in a gale it will seem very different. In fact the history of Filey is littered with stories of ship wrecks and smuggling. Today is different. Now divers explore the wrecks and the extensive marine life, fishermen take to the precarious rock platforms on the shore and walkers go north up the lovely section of coastline which heads towards Scarborough.

I had an enjoyable scramble along the rocks with Mist which reminded me of my endless summer holidays in St Abbs.  The deep rock pools and pounding surf contrast well with the dark sands to the south of Filey and the cliffs to the north of the Brigg – a great spot.

Recommend

Extend the walk by heading north for a mile from the Brigg along the Cleveland Way. It is an airy stroll with different views whichever way you turn.

I do however believe that this final section of the Cleveland Way is a mistake. Partly it is because Scarborough is simply more convenient to end the walk with the extra twelve miles not as good as the previous coastal sections. However the main reason is that the walk should include the Tabular Hills long distance trail from Scarborough to Helmsley thereby making the Cleveland Way completing a full circle of the North York Moors.

Navigation Tips on the Filey Coast

Do not be confused by the different signposts for the Cleveland Way and the Yorkshire Wolds Way. One leads in to another and both are part of the newly developed English Coast Path.