How high is Roseberry Topping?

320 metres (1,049 feet). It is a short but steep climb, rewarded with 360-degree views over Teesside, the Cleveland Hills and the North Sea.

Why does Roseberry Topping look like the Matterhorn?

Its distinctive half-cone shape comes from a combination of a natural landslip and old ironstone mining, which left the dramatic craggy face it has today.

Where do you park for Roseberry Topping?

The National Trust car park at Newton-under-Roseberry is the closest (charged); you can also start from Great Ayton (free parking) on a longer circular via Captain Cook's Monument.

Is Roseberry Topping a hard walk?

The climb is short but steep, so it is moderately strenuous; the Great Ayton circular via Captain Cook's Monument is longer at around 7 miles.

Walks

Roseberry Topping

With its distinctive half-cone summit rearing up from the Cleveland plain, Roseberry Topping is the North York Moors' most recognisable landmark — 'Yorkshire's Matterhorn'. At 320 metres (1,049 ft) it is no giant, but its isolated, dramatic shape and its 360-degree views make it one of the finest short climbs in the North.

Placeholder photograph — owner to replace with their own shot of Roseberry Topping.

The hill

Roseberry Topping stands alone at the northern edge of the moors, its lopsided peak the result of a combination of natural landslip and old ironstone mining that gave it the craggy profile it wears today. From the trig point on top, the view sweeps over Teesside, Guisborough, the Cleveland Hills and out to the North Sea.

Walking it

The short, steep way: from the National Trust car park at Newton-under-Roseberry, a direct path climbs sharply to the summit — a genuine little leg-burner, but short (parking is charged).
The classic circular: from Great Ayton, a roughly 7-mile loop takes in Captain Cook's Monument on Easby Moor (an obelisk of 1827) before the final climb to Roseberry — a superb half-day walk on the Cleveland Way, with free parking in the village.

Either way, expect a steep pull to the top, some mud after rain, and livestock in the fields, so keep dogs under control. For more on walking here with a dog, see our guide to the North York Moors with dogs.

The Captain Cook connection

The navigator James Cook grew up in nearby Great Ayton; the monument on Easby Moor honours him, and the Captain Cook Schoolroom Museum in the village tells his story — a natural pairing with the walk.

Practical

Wear proper footwear (it is steep and often muddy), take water (there are no facilities on the hill), and start early in summer, as the summit is popular and the car park fills. See also our best time to visit guide and more walks in the North York Moors. To base yourself nearby, see where to stay.

Frequently asked questions

How high is Roseberry Topping?: 320 metres (1,049 feet). It is a short but steep climb, rewarded with 360-degree views over Teesside, the Cleveland Hills and the North Sea.
Why does Roseberry Topping look like the Matterhorn?: Its distinctive half-cone shape comes from a combination of a natural landslip and old ironstone mining, which left the dramatic craggy face it has today.
Where do you park for Roseberry Topping?: The National Trust car park at Newton-under-Roseberry is the closest (charged); you can also start from Great Ayton (free parking) on a longer circular via Captain Cook's Monument.
Is Roseberry Topping a hard walk?: The climb is short but steep, so it is moderately strenuous; the Great Ayton circular via Captain Cook's Monument is longer at around 7 miles.