The North York Moors are a wonderful place to go if you are looking for peaceful walking. Miles upon mile of upland moor are the draw to those who visit the National Park, and the walks — seemingly desolate in winter but beautifully coloured in summer and a glorious purple of blooming heather in late summer/early autumn — are loved by all who frequent them. Yet, the hills are not so well known as say those of the Lake District, Yorkshire Dales, or Peak District. This is probably because rather than springing up in distinct profile, they generally form the highest parts of the general characteristic of the widespread North York Moors.
Round Hill (Urra Moor)
Height: 454m
1,490 feet
1,490 feet
Many walkers reach the highest point of the North York Moors without realising it as Round Hill, the topmost point of Urra Moor, sits right beside the Coast to Coast walk path on the section between Clay Bank Top and Bloworth Crossing. The height on widespread moorland has a trig point for walkers to clearly prove they have reached the pinnacle of the North York Moors National Park. When there, dwell in pride. (Image courtesy of Wikipedia)
Cringle Moor
Height: 435m
1,427 feet
1,427 feet
Cringle Moor is the highest point on the long ridge of Cleveland Hills that runs from Clay Bank to Osmotherley, a ridge so well known by frequent road users of the A19 from Middlesbrough to Thirsk on a journey to the A1 and the south. Unlike the higher Round Hill, Cringle Moor has the clear shape of a proper hill if approached from the east, as the picture shows — a picture I took in 1994 during my first Coast to Coast Walk.
Danby High Moor
Height: 432m
1,417 feet
1,417 feet
As with Round Hill and Cringle Moor, Danby High Moor is passed by all Coast to Coast walkers. Those who do the epic Wainwright walk just have to step off the track for a few metres on the section between the Lion Inn at Blakey and Glaisdale to bag the third highest point in the North York Moors. A trig point marks the spot for those wanting to touch the top of the moor. Afterwards a pint in the Lion Inn could be the reward. (Image courtesy of Wikipedia)
Carlton Bank
Height: 408m
1,339 feet
1,339 feet
Carlton Bank neighbours Cringle Moor. Separated by a moorland road, Carlton Bank is favoured with its own trig point whereas the higher Cringle Moor is denied. Once again, Coast to Coast walkers get to walk to this point, and this time without detour, as the Coast to Coast path runs straight to the top of the hill. The view from Carlton Bank northwest over the Vale of Mowbray is stunning. I recommend pausing at the trig point and taking it all in.
Noon Hill (Green Howe)
Height: 404m
1,325 feet
1,325 feet
Noon Hill, as marked on OS 1:25,000 mapping, or Green Howe on OS 1:50,000, stands high and proud to the south of Raisdale and can be best walked to from the Chop Gate pub, which is a biker's favourite on the B1257 Helmsley to Guisborough road. There appears to be a lovely ridge walk from Noon Hill to Carlton Bank, so although I had not done it when I compiled this list, it is certain to appear on Walking Englishman pages.
Glaisdale Moor
Height: 402m
1,319 feet
1,319 feet
The high point of Glaisdale Moor is marked as 'Cock Heads' on OS 1:50,000 mapping. The hump of the moor is just east of Danby High Moor, so a short walk from one takes you to the other. The most outstanding feature from the moor is the staggering views northwards down to Great Fryup Dale — a wonderful sight I have paused to look at on the occasions I have walked in the area. The view is one of those unforgettable walking experiences. (Image courtesy of Wikipedia)
Hasty Bank (Wainstones)
Height: 397m
1,302 feet
1,302 feet
The Wainstones are a distinctive rocky outcrop, one of few on the North York Moors. They break out of the top of Hasty Bank near Clay Bank Top, and I am sure many Coast to Coast and Cleveland Way walkers have trod off the path to venture amongst them. Apparently they are not the first though, for it is said they are named after a Viking leader who was slain there. Wanian means to grieve in Saxon, hence Wainstones.
Roseberry Topping
Height: 320m
1,050 feet
1,050 feet
Roseberry Topping is an easily recognisable hill. The summit has a distinctive half-cone shape with a jagged cliff. The more adventurous dwellers of Teesside climb it often and regard it as their hill. Who could blame them — it is probably the most walked hill in all of the North York Moors! I remember climbing it as a youngster, it being one of my earliest walking experiences, and while not a Teessider myself, I too regard it with special affection.
Stony Leas
Height: 299m
980 feet
980 feet
Stony Leas is the highest point in the eastern moors region of the National Park. With a trig point marking the spot and Lilla Howe standing stone close by, the area is dominated by the RAF Fylingdales Radar Station, which is about two miles southwest of Stony Leas. Lilla Howe is the site of a Bronze Age round barrow, so when you visit it may be quiet but spirits may dwell. You could walk from here to the final high spot of this top ten (below).
Lockton Low Moor
Height: 289m
948 feet
948 feet
The last but not least of the North York Moors top ten hills is Lockton Low Moor, with a trig point marking the spot. From the trig point, which is hidden behind a copse, you can take a short walk to view the magnificent Hole of Horcum, which is one of the North York Moors' natural wonders — a deep chasm cut out of the high moor. The hollow is 400ft deep and stretches 3/4 of a mile across. So, see the Hole of Horcum and take a walk! (Image courtesy of Wikipedia)
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