The Wainstones

A jumble of huge sandstone rocks and pillars sitting on the crest of Hasty Bank. The Cleveland Way runs right through the group, so you arrive at the rocks along the ridge rather than at a single lookout point. On one side you get Tees Valley farmland and the industrial skyline; on the other, Bilsdale and open moorland. Roseberry Topping and Captain Cook's Monument stand out, and on a clear day you can catch glimpses of the North Sea.

The rocks are up on the ridge and the surfaced Clay Bank car park sits roughly 1.35 km east, so the two are separate places and you walk between them.

• Short version from Clay Bank: about 3 miles / 4.8 km round trip with roughly 162 m of ascent. Paths are generally good.
• Longer version: there's a separate named Wainstones walk of about 8.2 miles, a different and much bigger day out.
• The pattern is a sharpish pull to gain height, then level walking along the ridge, which makes navigation up there straightforward.

That first climb is steep and strenuous, and it comes early, so pace it. Once on the ridge you're out in the open with no shelter, and wind makes it feel colder than the walk up. In wet weather the paths get slippery and the woodland sections turn muddy, so boots with grip earn their place.

Scrambling is optional. You can walk through and past the rocks on the path, or spend time working over the blocks and gullies if you enjoy hands-on rock. Choose your line and don't feel pushed onto anything that looks committing.

There's no toilet, drinking water, cafe or visitor building at the rocks, so bring water, food and a windproof layer with you. Carry out everything you take up.