"National Trails are the official routes selected by England's Countryside Agency, the
Countryside Council for Wales and Scottish Natural Heritage to offer some of the best
walking, riding and cycling experiences in Britain.
The 15 trails in England and Wales, and 4 routes in Scotland, provide over 2000 quality
miles of maintained paths crossing some of the finest countryside with spectacular
views.
National Trails are the best way of getting to know the real outdoor Britain- prepare to be
welcomed by local people and inspired by the stunning, varied scenery and enchanted
by the legacy of the nation's heritage."
"The Cleveland Way traveller will come across an astonishing amount of historical sites
and landscapes as they journey along the National Trail.
High on the moors the shapes of stone and bronze age burial sites can still be seen.
Along the coast are the sites of the Roman signal stations. These watchtowers sent
signals by smoke or beacon to warn against enemies approaching from the sea.
There is a wealth of Abbeys and Castles along the Way. Within the first few miles alone
you will have passed Helmsley Castle and the incredible ruins of the 800 year old
Rievaulx Abbey.
You will follow in some places ancient routes, including the Hambleton Drove Road
along which Scottish Drovers brought their cattle through to various markets as far south
as London.
As you stand on top of the moors surveying the wild and tranquil moorland landscape,
you may find it hard to believe that these moors also hold an industrial past. In fact the
most remote point on the Cleveland Way at Blowarth Crossing marks the junction of an
old road and a former railway, bringing ironstone mined out of the moors to feed the blast
furnaces of Teeside and Durham. Alum - for fixing Dye- and Jet - for jewellery- were also
mined along the moors and coast.
The coastal villages also have tales to tell. In the 18th Century smuggling was a
profitable business along the Yorkshire coast, the fishing villages provided ideal landing
spots for illicit cargo. The premium illegal trade was in tea, spirits, salt and lace.
Along the Way you will be reminded of one of the regions most famous sons, the
explorer Captain James Cook. The young James Cook went to school in Great Ayton
and grew up in the shadow of Roseberry Topping. Memories of Captain Cook are also
found in Staithes and also at Whitby from where he first set sail in 1747 and from where
as a Royal Navy Officer he had his famous ships, Endeavour, Resolution, Discovery and
Adventure built".
