Carlton Bank Summit Trig Point

In the very north west of the North York Moors National Park, Carlton Bank rises as a flank of Carlton Moor and part of the Cleveland Hills. The Bank is steep on its north western edge, providing fantastic views across in every direction. 

The hill overlooks several tiny villages including Carlton in Cleveland and Faceby. The privately-owned Lord Stones Country Park lies to the immediate north east of the hill (which contains public footpaths), and both Wainwright’s Coast to Coast and the Cleveland Way pass over the summit. Part of a vast network of footpaths and bridleways, you can walk for hours in this area, admiring Carlton Bank’s views as part of any number of lengthy hikes. 

A heather-topped hill with glorious Yorkshire views

You can hike to the summit of Carlton Bank from any direction and make it a part of a quick morning stroll, a longer hike or a full day’s exploration. All of the nearby villages have footpaths leading to the Bank and it’s not difficult to find a place to park considerately. With a height of 1,339 feet (408 m), the hill is a good 900 feet (300 m) above the valley to the north west, and the villages and patchwork fields unravel before you. 

Late summer and autumn are beautiful here, when Carlton Bank’s glorious purple heather moorland is at its most vibrant. At the top, you’ll find a trig pillar and an old boundary stone. In clear weather, you’ll see what the fuss is about, for the views are rather extravagant. To the north east, you can see the distinctively shaped Roseberry Topping, a hill known as the Yorkshire Matterhorn. To the east and south, the stunning undulations of the North York Moors rise and fall. To the west, the hills drop away into the Tees Valley and you might just be able to see the shadowy form of the Pennines on the horizon. 

Hike Carlton Bank throughout the year, taking care to avoid particularly harsh weather and remember to always wear appropriate footwear. The main path to the summit is paved with slabs, which make pathfinding simple, but can be slippery in ice or rain.