Lord Stones, North Yorkshire UK

• 4-star hikes
• 3 to 4 mile options
• Moderate | Gain 180-330m (590-1,090ft)
• Bilsdale, UK | North Yorkshire
.

A hiking trail surrounded by lush greenery and rolling hills under a partly cloudy sky. A person walks alongside a golden retriever on a stone path in the foreground. Three other hikers are visible further down the trail. The landscape features a mix of forests, fields, and hills, extending to a distant horizon.

Happy hikers on Carlton Moor.

Named for nearby prehistoric stone monoliths thought to have been placed here as either ancient waymarkers or boundary stones, the Lord Stones Country Park is a popular spot from which to launch a hike into the northern reaches of the North York Moors National Park. Located at the foot of the Cleveland Hills, this site offers free parking and a café with both indoor and outdoor seating. A full-service restaurant is also available for visitors and guests staying at their cabins and campsite.

In this trail review we describe and map two great hikes that head out in opposite directions along the Cleveland Way.

Trail Options Expand KML · Google Earth ·

⬤ 4★ Cringle Moor Loop 2.8 mi loop, moderate, gain 180m (590ft)
GPX File · AllTrails · Directions GPX?

⬤ 4★ Carlton Moor Loop 5.1 mi loop, moderate, gain 330m (1,090ft)
GPX File · AllTrails · Directions

P Free Parking

⬤ Cringle Moor Loop
Most popular route, great views.
Head east along the Cleveland Way with the hill of Cringle Moor in your sights. This well-maintained trail forms part of a 109-mile National Trail through the North York Moors. The gradual climb leads to Cringle Moor's summit (434m/1,423ft), offering excellent panoramic views of the moors to the south and Tees Valley to the north.

If you have time, take the short spur trail to visit Drake Howe, a Bronze Age stone cairn burial mound situated close to the hill's highest point. This archaeological site dates back approximately 3,500 years.

The exterior of a stone building with a rustic appearance, featuring stone walls and blue-framed windows and doors. A sign above the entrance reads 'LORDSTONES.' Two hanging flower baskets filled with colorful blooms are positioned on either side of the entrance. A chalkboard sign near the door. Additional details include a small black shelf and a planter with greenery near the entrance. The background includes clear skies with scattered clouds and trees.

Bookend your hike with cups of tea at the Lords Stones cafe.

The return leg follows a flatter route along the bottom of the sandstone cliffs. This lower section crosses undulating terrain over spoil heaps left by jet miners. Jet is a black lignite gemstone that was popular during the Victorian era. After wet weather, this area can become muddy and slippery, so in such conditions, it's advisable to return along the Cleveland Way on an out-and-back route. This simpler option from Lord Stones to Cringle Moor covers about 2.2 miles with 140 meters (450 feet) of elevation gain.

This hike can also be extended further eastward to reach The Wainstones. See our separate trail review for that route linked in the 'Trailspotting Nearby' section at the foot of this page.

A scenic countryside landscape featuring a grassy hill in the background. In the foreground, a dirt path leads through a wooden gate, which is held open by a person wearing a hat and backpack. The path is marked by a signpost that reads 'Cleveland Way.' Sheep graze in the nearby field, adding to the rural charm. The sky above is partly cloudy.

The upper section of Cringle Moor Loop follows the Cleveland Way.

⬤ Carlton Moor Loop
More trail variety, excellent views.

The hike atop Carlton Moor towards Live Moor offers variety and presents different views. This 5-mile circuit follows the stone-paved Cleveland Way in a counter-clockwise direction over moorland, passing ancient boundary stones and burial cairns.

The path eventually descends into a valley. Here, you'll leave the Cleveland Way and return on a narrower hillside route under tree cover. Some forestry work in this area might occasionally create wayfinding issues, but following the GPS route will guide you through the forest on a well-defined trail that can be muddy after rainfall.

A picturesque rural landscape featuring a wooden gate in the foreground, opening to a lush green field dotted with grazing sheep. Beyond the field lies a gently sloping hill covered in dense trees, framing the background. The sky above is mostly clear, scattered with a few soft clouds.

Whorl Hill viewed from the lower Carlton Bank Loop section.

As the trees thin out, the final stretch continues along the open hillside over a landscape marked by an eighteenth-century alum quarry. These industrial remains are evidence of North Yorkshire's historical alum shale industry, which produced materials for the textile industry.

The area changes with the seasons. Spring brings bluebells in the wooded areas and returning curlews to the moorland. Summer features purple heather and yellow gorse, while autumn displays rich earth tones. Winter can offer clear, far-reaching views on good days. Wildlife in the area includes red grouse on the moorland, meadow pipits, skylarks, buzzards, and kestrels. Roe deer may be spotted in woodland areas, particularly at dawn and dusk.

A dense forest scene with tall, straight trees and lush green ferns covering the forest floor. A person is walking along a narrow dirt path in the foreground, wearing a black shirt, gray pants, and a black backpack. Sunlight filters through the canopy, creating dappled lighting on the path and surrounding foliage. The sky above shows patches of blue and white clouds visible through the trees.

Forested section of the varied Carlton Bank Loop.

Tangents:
• North York Moors: Lord Stones Walk
• Lord Stones Cafe: Official
• AllTrails Public: Cringle Moor, Carlton Bank
• Facebook Group: Comment, Follow Us

Trailspotting Nearby
4★ The Wainstones (2-8 mi) · 5★ Roseberry Topping (1-5 mi) · 4★ Black Hambleton (8 mi) · Show Map

A castleated tower with defensive walls and colorful heraldic crest.

UK Hiking Trails
A growing map of trail reviews and maps, particularly in the North of England.