Yorkshire Walks

Starting along the Cleveland Way up Hasty Bank

Here we turned right off the road to follow the Cleveland way route up Hasty Bank. The whole Cleveland way path has been paved here with rough stone slabs where the ground is flat enough and with sandstone cobbles elsewhere. The whole thing has blended into the landscape very well indeed.

My mate, Jim, and I drove to the Forestry Commission car park, map ref. NZ572035, at Claybank this morning and arrived there at about 10.00am There is a great view out from the car park over Teesside and Roseberry Topping. From the car park we walked about 200m along the main road (B1257) tothe point where the Cleveland Way crosses the road.

Cornflowers by the car park

The Cleveland Way up Hasty Bank

Looking across Bilsdale to Round Hill from Hasty Bank

Looking along the edge of hasty Bank

At this distance the industry on Teesside only adds to the interest of the scene. At the far end of Hasty Bank we came to the Wainstones. This rocky outcrop is often used as a climbing practice area but no one was climbing there today. We sat on top of the rocks for a drink and to admire the view. It was really hot and we were glad to have a break.

The paving has halted the erosion that was taking place on this very popular route. Unfortunately there are still people who steadfastly refuse to walk on the paved path and they are now slowly erroding paths either side of the paving in some places. The views from the top of Hasty Bank are amazing both down Bilsdale and out to Tesside.

Looking across Bilsdale from Hasty Bank

Looking down Bilsdale from Hasty Bank

The Wainstones at the end of Hasty Bank

Looking back to the Wainstones

Cleveland Way on top of Cold Moor

There were changing views down Bilsdale to our left and out over the Tees to our right.

We continued along the Cleveland Way route down through the Wainstones. Then up the paved path onto Cold Moor.

Starting to climb onto Cold Moor

Looking to Cringle Moor from Cold Moor

Cleveland Way at the head of Raisdale

We continued along the Cleveland Way, this time to climb onto Cringle Moor.

From the top of Cold Moor we dropped down to the head of Raisdale.

Cleveland Way climbing up onto Cringle Moor

Looking back to Cold Moor

Nearing the top of Cringle Moor

A Wall brown butterfly on the path

We found a comfortable spot a few metres away. We sat there for our lunch and to savour the wonderful scenery.

At the western edge of Cringle Moor there is a stone seat memorial to Alec Falconer at a wonderful view point. The seat was already occupied when we got there.

Cotton Grass by the path

Path to Alec Falconer memorial seat on Cringle Moor

A Wall brown butterfly by the path

Leaving Cringle Moor on the Cleveland Way

Our path down the northern edge of Cringle Moor

Our path down the northern edge of Cringle Moor

About 300m from the view point we turned right at map ref. NZ531031 off the Cleveland Way. We followed a path down the steep hillside for about 1km to a fence at map ref. NZ530040 near Manor farm.

After our lunch we started down the hillside towards Lord Stone's Cafe. We could have stopped there for our lunch but today we prefered a pack-up in the sunshine.

Our turning off the Cleveland Way

Our path down the northern edge of Cringle Moor

Our path down the northern edge of Cringle Moor

Looking along Carlton Bank from the edge of Cringle Moor

Footpath from Manor Farm to Toft Hill

Footpath from Manor Farm to Toft Hill

We crossed the stile and continued along the path to Toft Hill and the lane at map ref. NZ541041.

We turned right to walk along the fence for about 250m to a stile.

Footpath from Manor Farm to Toft Hill

Footpath from Manor Farm to Toft Hill

Birdsfoot trefoil by the path

Farm access road to Broughton Banks Farm

Overgrown track heading to Spring House

At the lane we turned right to climb up the hill for about 100m to a track on the left. We turned left to follow this track which had been for access to the farm land but was clearly not now used and was quite overgrown.

We continued along the path through Broughton Banks Farm to the farm access road beyond. We followed the farm access road for about 1km to a lane at map ref. NZ555042.

Sheep being shorn at Broughton Banks Farm

Track up the hill from lane at map ref. NZ555042

Overgrown track heading to Spring House

Access road to Spring House

We followed this path up the hillside. The path became quite well defined and became a wide green track through the trees. After about 800m we came to the B1257 at map ref. NZ571036. From there we walked the last 150m back to our car at the Claybank car park. The whole walk had been about 13km and it had taken us five hours on this hot tiring day, but a good walk through wonderful scenery.

At map ref. NZ562042 the overgrown track came to an end and we moved onto a footpath on our right, the south side of the track. This led us through the yard of Spring House. from there we walked along their access road almost to the B1257 at map ref. NZ566044. A few metres before the road we turned right onto a footpath almost hidden by the spring growth of foliage.

Start of the path climbing up Clay Bank