The Cinder Track - Southern Section

Essential Intel

Plan your return before you set off, Explorers: this is a linear quest that finishes in Ravenscar, not back at Scarborough. To return to Scarborough, retrace the route along the cycle path, take the coastal path on foot, or use bus 115 from Station Square in Ravenscar. Bus 115 does not run on Sundays or Bank Holidays, and departure times should be checked ahead.

Navigating The Route

This is a linear Treasure Hunt along The Cinder Track Southern Section from Scarborough to Ravenscar, with Explorers helping historian Luke Indypast uncover the hidden location of Lady Lah-de-Dah's stolen diamond engagement ring, using clues from a diary and treasure map linked to the Scarborough to Ravenscar railway line.

The quest covers 11 miles and should take around 3-5 hours to complete. You'll start behind the play area in Sainsbury's car park, Scarborough, follow a scenic stretch of disused railway line, pass views of Scarborough Castle on your right if it is clear, continue towards Cloughton Station and Hayburn Wyke, then finish in Ravenscar.

This Trail is not suitable for wheelchairs or pushchairs. The route is described as slightly uphill, and the path can be bumpy and muddy in parts. Expect roads to cross, a pedestrian crossing, a wooden gate, a farm access track, a field crossing and a coastal path section near the cliff edge.

Take care on the roads, use the pedestrian crossing when rejoining the cycle track, and keep well away from the cliff edge on the coastal path. If cycling, expect some 'mild mountain-biking', dismount at the main road and be prepared to lock bikes up later at the NT Permissive Path sign.

Getting There

By car: Begin behind the play area in Sainsbury's car park, Scarborough (YO12 5ER). The recommended car park is Sainsbury's car park (YO12 5ER), with the start behind the play area. An alternative is Brunswick car park (YO11 2NP), described as the largest of the Long Stay car parks in town.

By public transport: Make your way to the start behind the play area in Sainsbury's car park, Scarborough. For the return from Ravenscar, buses go from Station Square; bus 115 runs to Scarborough but not on Sundays or Bank Holidays, so check ahead for departure times.

Need the Loo?

Toilets are available in the supermarket at the start and in Ravenscar at the end. In Ravenscar, there are also toilets a little further along Station Road on the left hand side, near the National Trust Visitor Centre.

Bring Your Furry Sidekicks

Four-legged Explorers can come along for the adventure 🐾

This is a long route with roads, a wooden gate, a farm access track, a field crossing, bumpy or muddy sections and a coastal path near the cliff edge, so keep dogs close wherever the route gets busy, rough or exposed. If you take the optional Hayburn Wyke detour, expect a walk down to the beach and waterfall before returning the same way.

Food & Drink Stops

Stock up on provisions near the start at Sainsbury's before setting off. On the route, the Hayburn Wyke Inn provides a useful stop, and at the end of the quest you'll find Ravenscar Tearooms.

Hayburn Wyke was a favourite picnic spot in the railway heyday, and there are some very picturesque coastal walks from Station Square if you want to linger after the treasure trail is complete.

Want to Make a Day of It?

Cloughton Station

Cloughton Station was built in 1885 and was one of eight stations that served the line between Scarborough and Whitby. This section of the line was the first to run a train service, when 140 people travelled to a meeting in Ravenscar in 1884, 18 months before the complete line actually officially opened.

Hayburn Wyke

The optional scenic walk to Hayburn Wyke is a 0.8 miles round trip from the Hayburn Wyke Inn, heading down through National Trust land to the beach and waterfall, then returning the same way. Hayburn Wyke is a peaceful secluded cove with the unusual feature of a twin waterfall cascading onto its beach; the waterfall may be only a trickle in dry summer months, but can be dramatic after heavy rain. 'Wyke' is Scandinavian for steep wooded valley, and this area was a favourite picnic spot in the railway heyday.

Ravenscar

Ravenscar is known as 'the town that never was' and sits as a health resort 600 feet above sea level. The Ravenscar Tearooms occupy part of the former Ravenscar House Hotel, which was built to house city dwellers who were meant to come and choose plots, but never arrived.