Cold Moor and the Carlton Bank Trig

A big 10-mile escarpment day with 540 metres of ascent and around five hours, working east from Carlton Bank over Cringle Moor and Cold Moor before returning along the dale side; the Cleveland Way sections are flagged but the drops and climbs between each moor are relentless and there is no easy escape once you commit. It starts at the Lord Stones car park on the Carlton Bank road, pay-and-display, with the cafe useful at either end and a water tap outside. There is water only in the becks at the bottom of each descent so carry plenty on a warm day, the ridge is superb open running ground, but the north edge is unfenced above steep scree, sheep are everywhere, and the moor requires leads from 1 March to 31 July for ground-nesting birds.