Ingleby Cross to Clay Bank Top
Distance: 14.0 miles
Height Gain: 3,400 feet
Highpoint: Carlton bank (1,330 feet)
Walking time: Approx 7-9 hours
Part 1: Ingleby Cross to Live Moor
Leave the village and head uphill, climbing through the lovely Arncliffe Wood, past the TV transmission station and out onto Scarth Wood Moor. Today is a day for moorland walking at it’s finest, nowhere does moors better than North Yorkshire. You are also on the well signposted Cleveland Way for the rest of the day and for part of tomorrow, although navigation even in bad weather shouldn’t be an issue. Walking through woods and fields and crossing a couple of minor roads soon brings you to Round Hill and the start of the moorland proper.
Part 2: Live Moor to Clay Bank Top
Follow the clear track, mostly paved to prevent erosion, over Live Moor and up onto Carlton Moor where you may be lucky to find the Gliding Club in action. The steep descent down to the road is followed by a perfect spot for lunch – at Lord Stones. You have a couple more climbs left today so take your time. Cringle Moor is the next destination and then another descent and ascent up to the Wain Stones and Hasty Bank. The descent from here brings you to Clay Bank Top and the only end to a Wainwright stage without accommodation easily at hand. North lies Great Broughton and south offers Urra and Chop Gate, but both are reasonable walks, or perhaps you can arrange a lift from the B&B you chose.