The Wainstones on the Coast to Coast Path

A very pleasant stroll along part of Wainwright’s famous Coast to Coast Walk to pay a visit to the fine outcrop of rocks known as The Wainstones.

On Location: 15th May 2019

Introduction: As I had a delivery of books to fulfil over in Stokesley I decided to make a bit of a day of it and planned to have a wander up to an outcrop of rocks on the edge of the Cleveland Hills. Known as The Wainstones, this dramatic escarpment features in Wainwright’s Coast to Coast walk. This was to be my first visit.

Parking: There is a Forestry England car park at Clay Bank GR: NZ 5721 0356 What Three Words ///exhaled.potato.boardroom Since 2024 this is now a Pay and Display car park.

Refreshments: The nearest locality for food and refreshments will be at Great Broughton 3km to the north of the car park.

The route: click on the arrow to play the route. Route files in various formats are available to download by clicking in the Plotaroute.com link at the bottom right

Clay Bank Top car park with Roseberry Topping on the horizon, Cleveland Hills, North Yorkshire Moors

We parked at the Clay Bank car park, crossed the road and then headed up the obvious path. Looking back we could get a good view of Roseberry Topping in the distance. For a walk on Roseberry Topping click here.

Cleveland Way and the Coast to Coast path at Hasty Bank in the Cleveland Hills

The path climbs steadily up towards Hasty Bank

Urra Moor from Clay Bank Top on the Coast to Coast walk

Across Clay Bank Top is the flat top of Urra Moor.

Cleveland Way and the Coast to Coast path erosion control at Hasty Bank

There are footpath erosion controls on this route which is very popular as it is part of The Cleveland Way, The Lyke Wake Walk and Wainwright’s Coast to Coast route.

Urra Moor on the Cleveland Way and the Wainwright Coast to Coast walk

As we climbed higher the trails across the moors are more obvious.

The Cleveland Plain from Hasty Bank on the Wainwright Coast to Coast walk.

Bailey on the edge of Hasty Bank with the Cleveland Plain stretching out below.

The Cleveland Way, Hasty Bank, Wainwright's Coast to Coast walk, North Yorkshire walk

The top of Hasty Bank is fairly flat and the path is easy to follow.

The Cleveland Way footpath on Hasty Bank on the Wainwright Coast to Coast walk.

It is a popular walking area so expect to meet parties of others enjoying the countryside.

The top of The Wainstones on the Coast to Coast trail, North Yorkshire Moors, Cleveland

In less than 2km from the car park we reached the top of The Wainstones.

Cold Moor from The Wainstones on Alfred Wainwright's famous Coast to Coast long distance walk

This outcrop of sandstone crags are the largest such feature of the moors.

Bilsdale from The Wainstones in the North Yorkshire Moors National Park

From the Wainstones there are superb views in nearly all directions including this view towards Bilsdale.

The Needle, The Wainstones on Wainwright's Coast to Coast walk, North Yorkshire Moors, Cleveland

The next rise in the distance is Cold Moor but we will leave that for another walk.

Bilsdale from The Wainstones in the North Yorkshire Moors National Park

It was such a beautiful day we just spent some time exploring the many crags and buttresses.

The Wainstones on the Coast to Coast trail, North Yorkshire Moors, Cleveland

and we were not alone, others were enjoying the sunshine as they tucked into sandwiches.

The Wainstones on the Coast to Coast trail, North Yorkshire Moors National Park

The path continues past the rocks which then presents a better aspect of the outcrop.

The Steeple, The Wainstones on the Coast to Coast trail, North Yorkshire Moors, Cleveland

There are examples of ancient rock art on some of the boulders but they take a bit of finding.

The Sphinx, The Wainstones on Wainwright's Coast to Coast walk, North Yorkshire Moors, Cleveland

With over 60 climbing routes of various difficulty on The Wainstones it is a popular location for those who like to be more “hands-on” with the sandstone. In the image above there are some named features of the crags, from left to right there is The Needle, The Spire and The Sphinx.

Wainstones crags North Yorks Moors looking towards Bilsdale

It must be a great venue for some late afternoon sport on the crags.

We had used up our time and so we had to head back to the car. Instead of re-tracing our steps we descended into Broughton Plantation.

Broughton Woods under The Wainstones in the Cleveland Hills, North Yorkshire Moors

The path made its way down on to an old forestry track through the trees.

Broughton Wood bluebells near The Wainstones in the Cleveland Hills, North Yorkshire Moors National Park

We came out into the sunshine where the bluebells greeted us. From here it was simply a case of following the good forestry road back to the car park at Clay Bank.

It may not have been a long walk but it was interesting to explore a new area for me. I can see that The Wainstones in particular would make a good subject for paintings or photographs in the future. I am sure that I will return.

Thank you for reading.

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