Roseberry Topping walking guide
A guide to walking up Roseberry Topping, North Yorkshire
Roseberry Topping, located near the town of Guisborough in the North Yorkshire Moors National Park, is one to be added to your list of places to visit.
Standing at 320 meters, it offers fantastic views of the surrounding areas, especially sunsets, and provides a perfect location for a day out walking. This guide, covers my suggested route, things to plan, location and other things to know when walking up Roseberry Topping.
There are many routes you can take to explore Roseberry Topping and the surrounding North Yorkshire Moors, but my chosen route below is a short walk that takes you from car park to summit and back.
If you’re looking for other hikes to explore in the North, checkout my Lake District guides here.
The Roseberry Topping walking route
Map of Roseberry Topping walking route from Newton under Roseberry
The most common route to the top of Roseberry Topping is from the car park in Newton under Roseberry. The route is approximately 1.5 miles each way, and it takes approximately 1 hour. The path is well-maintained by the National Trust, and there are plenty of signposts to guide you on your walk.
The path starts by following a track from the car park. After a short distance, you will come to a gate (with a National Trust signpost) that marks the start of the ascent. This is where the path splits into an easy route and a slightly trickier route. The route I prefer starts with a series of steps going straight up through the woodland. The path then turns into a dirt track and zigzags its way up the hillside, becoming steeper as you get closer to the summit.
Once you reach the top, you will be rewarded with stunning views of the surrounding countryside. Looking to the North, you'll see the town of Guisborough and the wind turbines on the Redcar coast in the distance. To the West, you have incredible views, especially at Sunset. To the South and East, you can see across the Yorkshire moors, including Little Roseberry and Captain Cook's Monument.
The view from the top is one of my favourite offering the most amazing vantage point for sunsets. I often head up with my camera, a warm flask and Anker portable charger to watch the sunset in the distance.
The walk-up Roseberry Topping is considered moderate in difficulty, and it takes approximately 1 hour to complete. The path is well-maintained but becomes steeper as you get closer to the summit, and the terrain is tricky in parts. The final ascent to the top involves climbing up a rocky outcrop.
The walk is dog friendly but with a number of big drops at the top, I’d suggest ensuring you have a lead with you.
View route on OS Maps or download route GPX file
How long does it take to walk up Roseberry Topping?
The walk takes just over an hour from start to finish and is approximately 1.5 miles.
Walking Roseberry Topping from Guisborough
Map of Roseberry Topping walking route from Guisborough
If you’re looking for a slightly longer walk with a mix of train, moorland and forest, then starting from Guisborough is a great shout.
The route is about 7KM total and takes around 2 hours. Parking can be found on Hutton Village Road for free.
Parking What3Words: ///snowboard.plotter.staked
Things to plan for your Roseberry Topping walk
Before embarking on your trip, it is important to plan ahead. Here are some things you may want to consider:
Weather: Check the weather forecast before you set out. The weather can change quickly in the area, so make sure you are prepared for all eventualities
Facilities: There are toilets located in the carpark
Parking and start location for Roseberry Topping walk
Roseberry Topping is located near the village of Great Ayton, in North Yorkshire. There are several parking options available, including the Newton-under-Roseberry car park. The car park is well signposted and offers ample parking space. From the car park, it is a short walk to the start of the hiking trail.
View of Roseberry Topping from above
Kit list for hiking
As mentioned, it's ideal for you to bring appropriate clothing and footwear for Roseberry Topping. Here's a list of items I take on my hikes:
Sturdy walking boots and socks with good ankle support
You can get a decent pair of boots from Cotswold Outdoors, Mountain Warehouse or Blacks. You don’t need to spend a load of money, but anything with ankle support should do the job. I have the Scarpa Rush TRK Gore-Tex boots and they are fantastic!
Hiking socks: I personally use Smartwool merino wool socks which are incredibly comfy, help keep my feet dry
Daypack: when out walking in the Lakes, I always take my Osprey Talon 44L bag. I recommend the Osprey daypacks such as the Talon range for men and Tempest range for woman.
Waterproof jacket and trousers - even in the summer, taking a waterproof jacket that offers protection from the wind is key
You don’t need to spend a lot of money, but if you are going to be hiking often then investing in a good waterproof may be a good idea
Warm layers
Fleece - My go-to warm layer - Patagonia R1 Fleece
Warm gloves or mittens: I personally use the Rab Mens Pivot GTX Gloves and these worked well on my recent winter hiking trips.
Lightweight Gloves: For lower hills I recommend lightweight, fleece or quick drying fabric gloves. I personally use the Sealskinz unisex waterproof gloves if it is raining and the Montane Prism gloves if it is dry but windy (they are lighter and a little more comfy.
Neck bandana or scarf: For the chilly days on the mountain, I recommend bringing a neck gaiter or bandana. I recommend the Buff unisex bandana.
Map and compass (and the ability to use them)
Trekking poles: Trekking poles can reduce the impact on your joints by up to 20%. I recommend adjustable Black Diamond or Leki trekking poles
Food and water
Kendal Mint Cake is my favourite snack for any walk and is a famous snack still made in the Lake District
Water bladder / bottles: When out in the fells, I aim to drink at least 1L of water. I recommend the Osprey 2 litre water badder which can be used in most backpacks.
Sunscreen and Bug Spray
First aid kit - a small mix of plasters, Savalon (for bites and stings) and antiseptic wipes will do
Head torch: You will need a head torch with a decent power for any trips to the loo and more importantly the summit hike. I personally use a Petzl ACTIK® 600 CORE which is affordable and has a decent battery life. You’ll also need spare batteries as the cold will drain them quicker.
Mobile phone (with a full battery) + portable charger.
I recommend any Anker Power Bank as they are reliable and well made. I use the USB-C 10,000 maH with 20W model. It charges my phone and watch when wild camping and is a great lightweight option
Final Thoughts
Walking up Roseberry Topping is a great way to experience the beauty of the North Yorkshire Moors National Park. The views from the top are breathtaking, and the hike is suitable for most walkers. Remember to plan ahead, bring the right gear, and follow safety precautions to ensure a safe and enjoyable hike.