The Wainstones, North Yorkshire UK

• 4-star hikes
• 2 to 8 mile options
• Moderate | Gain 180-540m (580-1,770ft)
• Bilsdale, UK | North Yorkshire
.

A person rock climbing on a large, rugged cliff face. The climber wears a red shirt and is secured with ropes and climbing gear. The cliff consists of weathered rocks adorned with patches of moss and lichen. Below the climber, a grassy area with scattered rocks and green vegetation can be seen. The background showcases a vast landscape of rolling hills and fields beneath a cloudy sky.

A lone climber scaling The Wainstones.

Choose from three great walks to The Wainstones, a rocky sandstone outcropping atop a hill that juts out of the wild grasslands and heather of the North York Moors. We've mapped out routes that include a short out-and-back along the Cleveland Way, a longer journey that starts and finishes at a cafe, and a third that traverses exposed hilltop moor and marshland.

Paid parking is available at the trailhead for the Hasty Bank and Chop Gate routes. There's also some free parking for Hasty Bank which we've identified on our map, but it does require an additional 0.6 miles of hiking each way along country routes. The Lord Stones Cafe car park is free for everyone and is also the location for an additional hike along Carlton Bank that we describe in a separate article - see 'Trailspotting Nearby' section at the bottom of the page. Continue below for more information about the three routes to the Wainstones.

Trail Options Expand KML · Google Earth ·

⬤ 4★ Via Hasty Bank 2.1 mi out & back, moderate, gain 180m (580ft)
GPX File · AllTrails · Directions*

⬤ 4★ Via Lord Stones 4.8 mi part-loop, moderate, gain 390m (1,280ft)
GPX File · AllTrails · Directions**

⬤ 4★ Via Chop Gate 8.3 mi loop, moderate, gain 540m (1,770ft)
GPX File · AllTrails · Directions* GPX?

£ *Paid Parking P **Free Parking

⬤ Via Hasty Bank
Shortest route, great views.
The shortest out-and-back route begins with an uphill ascent to the top of Hasty Bank followed by a mostly level and well-trodden walk along a section of the Cleveland Way. The path is paved throughout. The route provides elevated views across the moors to the south, and a panorama of patchwork farmland to the north.

⬤ Via Lord Stones
Free parking, cafe and great views.
The Lord Stones cafe is a popular North York Moors spot where you can bookend your hike with cups of tea, or something more. The cafe is named for the nearby prehistoric stones thought to be either ancient waymarkers or boundary stones.

A tranquil rural village scene showcasing a winding road that leads through the area. Stone buildings line the left side of the road, featuring signs for a bistro, bar, bed and breakfast, and a grill named 'Buck Inn.' The signs also advertise vacancies and include a contact number. The sidewalk is adorned with potted plants and greenery. The road curves to the right and is bordered by grassy patches and lush trees, with a prominent, large tree visible in the background. The partly cloudy sky enhances the serene ambiance of the village.

Starting the longer loop from Chop Gate village.

The hike from here to the Wainstones is an extension of the popular Lord Stones loop. Head in an easterly direction along the stone-paved Cleveland Way and uphill to Cringle Moor. The return part of the loop follows a flatter route along the bottom of the cliffs. Continue beyond the loop and head further east to reach the Wainstones.

The lower, northernmost section of the Lord Stones loop is undulating terrain across the spoil heaps left by miners of a gemstone known as jet. After wet weather this area can become rather muddy and slippery, and in such circumstances it may be more advisable to return along the Cleveland Way on an out-and-back route. An out-and-back journey between Lord Stones and the Wainstones is 4.8 mile hike that gains 450 meters (1,470 feet) in elevation.

A serene countryside scene featuring a stone wall in the foreground, adorned with vibrant pink flowers blooming beside it. Beyond the wall, a lush, expansive field stretches toward the horizon. A single sheep grazes in the field, adding a pastoral charm to the landscape. The background showcases gently rolling hills dotted with clusters of trees, all under a partly cloudy sky.

Early Hasty Bank views heading out of Chop Gate.

⬤ Via Chop Gate
Our favorite. Wild moorland & Cleveland Way.
Our favorite route begins a the village of Chop Gate and explores the wild moorland of Cold Moor and Urra Moor on both sides of Bildale Valley. Taking a clockwise route, follow a bridleway that starts behind the village and leads up onto the exposed wild moorland of Cold Moor before meeting with the Cleveland Way. Cross a shallow valley to reach the Wainstones. The return leg of this circuit traces the edges of the boggy Urra Moor across more open heather-covered hillside before descending back into farmland and heading back towards Chop Gate.

The Cleveland Way is a very popular route and many sections are paved with stone flags, and hillside climbs are made easier thanks to well-built stone steps. Beyond the Cleveland Way expect a little mud - particularly on Urra Moor, which can get quite boggy at times, even during the summer season.

A scenic countryside landscape featuring rolling green hills under a partly cloudy sky. In the foreground, a stone wall cuts across the terrain with a wooden gate nestled within it. A person wearing a red jacket and black shorts is walking along a winding path that leads through the gate and ascends the hill. The hill is topped by a rocky outcrop, while the distant view reveals a serene valley dotted with fields and clusters of trees.

A runner on the Cleveland Way, with distant Wainstones.

The left photograph presents a wide, scenic view of a green valley with vast fields, clusters of trees, and distant hills beneath a partly cloudy sky. The right photograph highlights a hiker walking along a rocky path surrounded by lush greenery, with hills and a cloudy sky forming the backdrop.

Distant Roseberry Topping. | Walking below Wainstones.

A panoramic view of a tranquil countryside, showcasing a hilly landscape covered with lush greenery. The foreground features a wooden signpost with directional arrows, suggesting different hiking or walking trails. Stone walls cut across the terrain, adding a rustic and historical charm. The rolling hills extend into the background, creating a sense of depth, and are illuminated by soft, diffused light from a cloudy sky.

Leaving the Cleveland Way beyond Hasty Bank.

Tangents:
• National Trails: The Wainstones
• North York Moors: Lord Stones Walk
• AllTrails Public: Via Chop Gate, Lord Stones, Other Routes
• Facebook Group: Comment, Follow Us

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.