Lord Stones Walk

A circular walk of 4.4 km (2.74 miles) from Lord Stones Country Park around the lower and upper slopes of Cringle Moor, taking about 1.5 hours. Total ascent is around 143 m, rising from 286 m to a high point of 423 m.

From the cafe and car park the path leaves beside a small plantation and joins the Cleveland Way for a short stretch, then turns left at a stone wall onto a track through trees. A contour path carries you around the flank of Cringle Moor before a Cleveland Way marker, just before a stream, signals a sharp right turn and the start of the climb. The stepped bank leads over the top of the moor to the stone viewing seat, where you turn left, descend the gentler side, rejoin the earlier junction and retrace the approach to the car park.

The promoted route is graded easy overall, but the climb deserves respect. Roughly 57% is path, 39% dirt road and 5% asphalt, with no stiles. The main ascent uses stone pitching and reaches about 1 in 3, with a short 1 in 2 section; the descent is easier at up to about 1 in 4. Clay soil turns muddy after rain, and erosion has narrowed some sections and left cross-slopes underfoot. There are severe drops beside the stepped path and along the moorland edge, so keep children close and take care in wind or poor visibility.

The payoff is a broad panorama over the Cleveland plain toward Middlesbrough, with Roseberry Topping and Cook's Monument in view and open heather moorland all around. The stone seat near the summit is the natural place to stop. Look for the marks of historic jet mining on these slopes, including old spoil heaps and quarrying scars.

Save this walk for a clear day, since the views are the main reward. Expect mud after wet weather, wear boots with grip, and allow extra time for the steep pitched climb and for lingering at the viewpoints.

Lord Stones Country Park is signposted from the A172, about 5 miles north of the A19/A172 junction and 3 miles south of Stokesley, approached via Carlton-in-Cleveland, Alum House Lane and Raisdale Road. There is a large free car park, plus toilets, a cafe-restaurant and a local produce shop at the start and finish. The walk begins at the cafe and outdoor seating area, with the mapped route starting about 15 m away.

Ordinary dogs are welcome, but must be kept on a short fixed lead at all times, which matters on the exposed edges and around grazing moorland.

A separate, longer and rockier outing continues to Wainstones and Cold Moor, running about 11 miles. It is a different route with its own demands rather than an extension of this loop.