Roseberry Topping & Captain Cook's Monument from Great Ayton.

Distance: 6½ miles / 10 kilometers

Time: 4 hours 30 minutes

Grade: Easy/Moderate

Map: OS Explorer OL26 - North Yorkshire Moors, Western Area

Walk Summary

This 6½ mile circular walk starts at the pay and display Newton under Roseberry car park on the A173, just south of Newton under Roseberry. Turn right out of the car park and ascend steadily passing through Newton Wood, before climbing the stone laid path to the top of Roseberry Topping. An iconic landmark that dominates the area for miles around, with its peculiar shape resulting the collapse of its western face in 1912. Below which would make a great site for a wild camp. From the top of Roseberry Topping there are some spectacular views to be had of Middlesborough to the north west, with Guisborough to the north east and the North Sea to the east.

The trail turns east along a well defined flat path along the Cleveland Way across the heather moorland of Roseberry Common. Then heading south through Newton Moor and Great Ayton Moor along the edge of Slacks Wood to popular Gribdale Gate car park and picnic area.

From the car park, make a steady ascent up Cockshaw Hill to Easby Moor and the Captain Cook Monument. Then turn right to head west descending through Easby Wood and along the pasture land of Round Hill. After crossing Dyke Lane, climb gently up Aireyholme Lane. Then turn left at the fingerpost and follow the edge of a pasture field and enter tranquil Cliff Ridge Wood. At the edge of the wood turn right to enter Newton Wood with good views on the left looking westward over pasture land. Follow the trail back to the gate at the top of Roseberry Lane and back to the car park from where the walk started.

With exception to the steady climbs up to Roseberry Topping and the Captain Cook Monument the gradient is not excessively steep. The walk terrain is generally unchallenging with gentle climbs and descents through pasture land and along woodland areas.