Roseberry Topping, The Hanging Stone and Highcliff Nab

(S/E) From the parking, take the path that ascends via stone steps with a wall and plantation on the left. This leads to the top of the moor where it levels out. Follow the path to a gate.

(1) Go through the gate and turn left. Descend to Roseberry Common and then ascend Roseberry Topping via the obvious path. (Enjoy the view but take care as the westerly end is a sheer cliff).

(2) Retrace your footsteps back to (1).

(1) Go through the gate and turn left, follow the path with the wall on your left. You will soon arrive at a gate.

(3) Go through the gate and continue into the plantation. The track starts to turn to the right and a narrow path leads straight on. Take this narrow path between the young fir trees and emerge at The Hanging Stone. (A good place to eat your sandwiches and much better than 1970's film Picnic at The Hanging Rock). Return to (4).

(4) As you leave the narrow path from The Hanging Stone turn left onto the track and follow it through the plantation to where it joins another track.

(5) Turn left at the junction and follow the track with the plantation on your left. The track will be barred by a single bar metal gate.

(6) Pass beside the metal gate and turn right, go through a wooden gate, and then beside a second metal barrier designed to stop motorcycles and 4X4's. Follow the track for a short distance and look out for a wooden marker post and path on the left.

(7) Take the path on the left. This is paved with sandstone flags and it descends Black Nab to a marshy section at the bottom of the dip. (the flags mean that you will keep your feet dry) Ascend with the farm wall on your left and pass Highcliffe farm. Keep going to an information panel and a gate leading into the wood on your left.

(8) Turn left and go through the gate into the wood. Follow the path through beech trees, cross a track and follow the path to the bottom of Highcliff Nab.

(9) There is a path on the right that ascends to the top where you can get good views over Guisborough to the North Sea. When you are ready, return to (8) and take the track straight ahead of the gate, soon you will arrive at a silver National Trust sign.

(10) Turn off the main track at the sign to take a narrow path through the heather to Codhill Heights where there is a small stone seat and feeding station for the grouse.

(11) Continue along the path through the heather and descend back to the track, (If it is very wet you could just keep to the track and avoid Codhill Heights).

(12) Turn right at the track, descend to cross a stream and ascend the metalled track, crossing a cattle grid, to join a tarmac road.

(13) Turn right and walk along the edge of the road to its end at a gate.

(14) Pass through the gate and take the path on the left. This curves around Great Ayton Moor with good views. It then descends back to the parking.

No shelters on this walk. In windy weather it can be exposed so make sure you have the right clothing.
Take all your refreshments with you.

Three good viewpoints, some easy navigation and moor top walking.

Between points 7 and 8 see if you can spot the foundation stone for Holy Trinity School, which was broken in two and reused as flagstones in the path. (both halves are there about a quarter of a mile apart)

The diversion to Codhill Heights is a pleasant change from the stony tracks.

The village of Great Ayton has an excellent ice cream and sweet shop, Suggits. It is worth a visit, The village is also the boyhood home of Capt' Cook and it has a museum that is also worth a visit.