North York Moors Circular Kildale area

Park on moorland road from Great Ayton Station

(S/E) Turning North out of the car park follow the Cleveland was up the right hand side of the wall to junction in the path at (1)

(1) Keeping to the wall walk down to the gate, going through to turn left and follow track to the summit of Roseberry Topping.

(2) From the summit of Roseberry Topping, retrace your steps back to the gate in the wall at (1). Passing through the gate, take the second path on your left diagonally crossing the moor, reaching a track at the edge of the forest.

(3) Turn right to follow the edge of the forest to the next junction.

(4) Turn right for two hundred metres and follow the well marked way.

(5) Turn left following the Cleveland Way crossing a short moorland strip with raised stones to keep you clear of the boggy parts. on reaching the wall keep to the left of it bypassing the lane leading to Highcliffe farm and climb up to the edge of the forest. From there, take the waymarked forest path on your right to the viewpoint below the rocky outcrop of Highcliffe Nab, you can also take a footpath to the top if you want.

(6) From the viewing area of Highcliffe Nab, retrace your tracks back to (5).

(5) Turn right down the hill for a few metres to a wide track on your left, taking this you follow in across the moorland and down toward sleddale farm with the summit of Codhill Heights on your right, at the entrance lane to Sleddale Farm follow the same track to the right with a wall on your left the track drops into a horse shoe loop before climbing out to reach Percy Cross Rigg.

(7) Turning left on Percy Cross Rigg, pass a no entry lane on your right to the next track on the right a the distance of around 500 metres from joining the road.

(8) Follow the track down through forestry to come out onto a black top road, take the road to climb up to a junction turning right towards Kildale passing the entrance of Little Kildale which is on your left to reach a junction in the village.

(9) At the junction in Kildale, you will see a bench located in a little triangle of grass, here take the road to the right heading towards the railway station then immediately right again down a narrow lane following this tarmac lane down under the railway line and climbing to the right past Bankside farm and on up a steep section through Pale End plantation.

(10) At the break in the forest on your right, take the track signposted Cleveland way on your left passing four forest roads off to your right finally coming out of the forest with Captain Cooks monument a few hundred metres ahead of you.

(11) From the monument, take the track to your right and keep to the downhill route back to the car park (S/E)

Minor road from Great Ayton via the rail station climbs to reach a car park with information boards and picknick area, car parking is free.
Full hiking equipment required.
Most of the wet areas are now paved with rock so even in wet times the route should be reasonably dry.
There are bench seats at way point 2, 6 and 10 to take breaks and enjoy the views.
There is a cafe near the railway station in Kildale, note it closes on Thursdays.

Reach the summit of Roseberry Topping, England's Matterhorn.
Spectacular views of the North York moors throughout.
Passes through the quaint village of Kildale.
Take some time out at Captain Cooks monument.
Moorland is abound with game birds and hawks.