The best walks and hikes around Great Busby
4.5
(1711)
14,966
hikers
34
hikes
Hikes around Great Busby provide access to the North York Moors National Park, a landscape defined by expansive heather moorlands and prominent hills. The village serves as a starting point for routes that traverse rolling terrain, wooded areas, and sandstone outcrops. The trails in this region feature a mix of gentle riverside paths along waterways like the River Leven and more challenging ascents up to viewpoints on hills such as Cringle Moor and Carlton Bank.
Best hiking trails around Great Busby
- The most popular hiking route is the Cringle Moor and Lord Stones loop, a 3.4 mile (5.5 km) trail that takes about 1 hour 40 minutes to complete. This easy hike is located within the North York Moors National Park.
- Another top favourite among local hiking enthusiasts is the Cringle End Summit – The Wainstones loop from Carlton in Cleveland, a moderate 7.4 mile (11.9 km) path. The route features the Wainstones, a distinctive sandstone rock formation.
- Local hiking enthusiasts also love the Gold Hill via Live Moor and Carlton Bank loop, a 5.1 mile (8.2 km) trail leading through the North York Moors, often completed in about 2 hours 25 minutes.
- Hiking around Great Busby is defined by heather moorland, sandstone crags like the Wainstones, and rolling hills such as Cringle Moor. The network of paths offers a variety of circular walks from Great Busby North Yorkshire, with options for different difficulty levels.
- The routes in Great Busby are highly rated by the komoot community with an average score of 4.6 stars from more than 170 reviews. More than 1,400 hikers have used komoot to explore Great Busby's varied terrain.
Last updated: April 25, 2026
4.7
(38)
333
hikers
5.46km
01:40
180m
180m
Embark on the Cringle Moor and Lord Stones loop, an easy hike that promises expansive views across North Yorkshire. You will gain 583 feet (178 metres) in elevation over its 3.4 miles (5.5 km) distance, typically completed in about 1 hour and 40 minutes. The route leads you to the summit of Cringle Moor, where you can enjoy extensive northern outlooks, including panoramas of Middlesbrough and the Cleveland plain. As you hike, you will experience moorland beauty, especially vibrant in autumn when heather and ferns paint the landscape in dusky pinks, greens, oranges, and reds. Be prepared for some steep, rocky steps on the final ascent to Cringle Moor.
Your hike begins and ends conveniently at Lord Stones Country Park, a great spot to find refreshments and facilities at its cafe and farm shop. While the trail is generally well-maintained, sections can become quite muddy after rain. For this reason, we recommend wearing sturdy and water-resistant footwear to ensure a comfortable experience. Plan your visit to make the most of the amenities available at the country park.
Beyond the scenic vistas, this route offers a journey through time with ancient sites like the Lord Stones Stone Circle and a Labyrinth Carving. These historical elements add a unique cultural layer to the natural beauty of the moorland. The Cringle Moor summit itself is notable as the third-highest point within the North York Moors National Park, making this loop a rewarding way to explore a significant part of the region's landscape and heritage.
4.3
(10)
70
hikers
Embark on the Gold Hill via Live Moor and Carlton Bank loop, a moderate hike through the North York Moors National Park. This 5.1-mile (8.2 km) route, with an elevation gain of 804 feet (245 metres), typically takes around 2 hours and 25 minutes to complete. You will traverse varied terrain, including natural paths, gravel sections, and quiet country lanes, with some steep climbs, especially towards Carlton Bank. From Gold Hill, enjoy expansive views of Live Moor, Holey Moor, and Faceby Plantation, extending across the Vale to Teesside. The summit of Carlton Bank offers panoramic vistas, where you can spot the distinctive Roseberry Topping and the rolling heather moorlands stretching towards the sea.
This loop is generally accessible, though some sections may require sure-footedness due to varied surfaces and gradients. The Live Moor section is known for its forgiving gradient, making it a less strenuous part of the journey. While the trail is classified as moderate, ensuring you have good fitness will enhance your enjoyment of the climbs and descents. Always check local conditions before you set out, especially concerning weather on the exposed moorlands.
As you hike, you will encounter significant historical and natural features. The route incorporates a section of the Cleveland Way, a long-distance footpath known for its well-maintained paths and consistent views. On Gold Hill, look for the ruins of an old enclosure and boundary stones, while Live Moor reveals remnants of a promontory fort and ancient field systems. The trail also passes near the site of a disused alum quarry and prehistoric stones at Lord Stones, offering glimpses into the region's rich past.
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4.7
(42)
372
hikers
11.9km
03:43
420m
420m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
4.9
(24)
190
hikers
21.0km
06:36
780m
780m
Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
4.8
(8)
49
hikers
16.1km
04:57
540m
540m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
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Tips from the Community
The initial ascent is challenging and could be difficult in wet weather. Well worth a trip up though!
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This is where I realised wearing new boots for a hike this long was a BAD idea!
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Lots of view points, people rock climbing and the up and downs test you as they are short, but a touch punchy for their short elevation!
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Intense incline but the views at top were spectacular
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Easy hiking on a great track with spectacular views all around. Check out the Three Howes burial mounds just to the north of this highlight.
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Sometimes known as Hasty Bank, which is the incline to the south of the ridge line, White Hill is 398m above sea level. Spectacular views to the north, with Raven's Scar immediately below. You can also see across Clay Bank to Carr Ridge in the east.
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A scheduled monument first listed in 1968, the barrow to the east of the track is quite prominent, the other two are on the west side of the track. Bowl barrows, the most numerous form of round barrow, are funerary monuments dating from the Late Neolithic period to the Late Bronze Age, with most examples belonging to the period 2400-1500 BC. They were constructed as earthen or rubble mounds, sometimes ditched, which covered single or multiple burials. The barrows each have an earth and stone mound which is round in shape. There are other similar barrows in this area of the Hambleton Hills. Many of these lie in closely associated groups, particularly along the watersheds. They provide evidence of territorial organisation marking divisions of land; divisions which still remain as some parish or township boundaries.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How difficult are the hikes around Great Busby?
The trails offer a good mix for different fitness levels. You'll find a balance of easy, moderate, and difficult routes. Many hikes, like those to the Wainstones, involve some steep climbs on well-made stone paths, but the majority of the 33 trails in the area are rated as easy or moderate, with only a few classified as difficult.
Are there any good circular walks starting from the Great Busby area?
Yes, the region is excellent for circular walks. Many trails are designed as loops, allowing you to start and end in the same place without retracing your steps. A great example of a challenging loop is The Wainstones – Cold Moor loop from Carlton in Cleveland, which covers significant ground and elevation through the moors.
Can I bring my dog on the trails near Great Busby?
Most trails in the North York Moors are dog-friendly, but it's essential to keep your dog under control, especially on moorland where livestock may be grazing and during bird nesting season (typically March to July). Always check for local signage regarding lead requirements on your chosen path.
What are some easy, family-friendly walks in the area?
There are several gentler options suitable for families. Look for trails with less elevation gain, such as those following the River Leven or shorter loops around the base of the main hills. The area around Lord Stones Country Park can also be a good starting point for less strenuous walks.
Where can I park for a walk to the Wainstones or Cringle Moor?
For hikes incorporating Cringle Moor, the Wainstones, and Carlton Bank, the primary parking area is the Lord Stones Country Park car park. It's a popular and convenient starting point for many trails in this part of the North York Moors. Arrive early on weekends as it can get busy.
What is the landscape like on the hikes around Great Busby?
The hiking here is defined by the dramatic scenery of the North York Moors. Expect to encounter vast expanses of heather moorland, distinctive sandstone outcrops like the Wainstones, and iconic, steep-sided hills such as Roseberry Topping and Cringle Moor. The trails offer a fantastic contrast between the wild moorland and the pastoral dales below.
Are there any walks with historical significance?
Yes, the region is rich in history. The famous Cleveland Way National Trail passes through the area, following ancient paths. The Wainstones themselves feature Bronze Age carvings, and the iconic shape of Roseberry Topping is linked to the early life of explorer Captain James Cook, who grew up nearby.
What do other hikers think of the trails near Great Busby?
The routes around Great Busby are highly regarded by the Komoot community, with an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars. Hikers frequently praise the stunning panoramic views from the ridges and the unique, craggy rock formations that make the landscape so memorable.
What is a good hike for panoramic views?
For some of the best views, the Carlton Bank Summit Trig Point – View of Whorl Hill loop is an excellent choice. The ascent to the summit of Carlton Bank rewards you with sweeping vistas across the Cleveland Plain to the north and the rolling hills of the North York Moors to the south.
Are there any pubs or cafes near the walking routes?
Yes, after a hike, you can find refreshments nearby. The Lord Stones Country Park, a common trailhead, has a café on-site. The villages surrounding the moors, such as Great Broughton and Carlton in Cleveland, also have traditional pubs that are perfect for a post-walk meal or drink.
What are the Wainstones?
The Wainstones are a prominent and craggy outcrop of sandstone rocks on Hasty Bank. They are a popular feature for both hikers and climbers. The trail along the ridge to the rocks is a highlight of many local walks, offering fantastic scenery and a chance to see these unique geological formations up close.
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