Roseberry Topping and Captain Cook's Monument walk
Beginning at Great Ayton village green, you'll pass through woods and farmland then climb the hill to Captain Cook's Monument. From there, you'll follow the Cleveland Way to the summit of Roseberry Topping to take in the 360-degree views, before heading down through oak woodland and making your way back to Great Ayton.
Near to
Roseberry ToppingStart point
Great Ayton village green, grid ref: NZ562106Trail information
Total stages: 11
Total stages: 11
Start point
Great Ayton village green, grid ref: NZ562106
Stage 1
From the village green, cross the road to the shops and turn right along the main street. Just around the corner you'll see a metal gate in the wall on the opposite side of the road. Cross and go through the gate.
Stage 2
Follow the footpath to a railway line. Cross, and continue up the side of the field until you reach Cliff Ridge Wood.
Stage 3
Climb a handful of steps onto the main footpath then continue on the path ahead of you, which leads uphill. Go through the kissing gate at the top and turn right. Follow the field edge and cross a stile before dropping down to go over another stile onto Aireyholme Lane.
Stage 4
Turn right and follow the lane. Go straight over at the crossroads after the bridge. Continue straight on, along the bridleway, until you reach the forest.
Stage 5
Take the footpath to the left and and follow the wall on your left. When you reach the forest track, turn right and almost immediately left up a steep hill.
Stage 6
At the top, follow the path round to the right and head towards Captain Cook's Monument.
Stage 7
After admiring the view, follow the Cleveland Way north towards Roseberry Topping. You'll drop down onto a forest track which will lead you to Gribdale car park and picnic area.
View across farmland to Roseberry Topping | © National Trust Images/Joe Cornish Stage 8
Continue across the road and follow the Cleveland Way over the moor. You'll reach a gate in a dry stone wall. Go through and continue on the pitched path downhill approaching Roseberry Topping.
Stage 9
Follow the stone steps up to the summit of Roseberry Topping and admire the 360-degree views, encompassing everything from the sea to sprawling housing estates, heavy industry and the National Park. Facing away from where you came, take the path on your left, which leads down the side of Roseberry, then bear right following the fence line to a field. Cross the field diagonally and follow the path down to the right of the folly to Newton Wood.
Stage 10
Turn left along the path in the woods. When it forks, take a right so that you continue downhill. At the bottom, go left and follow the path along the bottom of the wood until you come to a stone track.
Stage 11
Turn left on to the track then bear left onto the footpath into Cliff Ridge Wood when you see the National Trust sign. Follow this path along the bottom edge of the wood until you reach the footpath crossing you passed near the start of the walk. Turn right and follow the same path back into Great Ayton.
End point
Great Ayton village green, grid ref: NZ562106
Trail map
The walk from Great Ayton taking in Roseberry Topping and Captain Cook's Monument | © Crown copyright and database rights 2021 Ordnance Survey
More near here
Roseberry Topping from Great Ayton station walk
A circular walk that starts and finishes at the railway station in Great Ayton and takes in the panoramic views at the summit of Roseberry Topping.
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