Sar Lou Adventures

Roseberry Topping – Yorkshire Dales 320m/1,050 ft

UK Iconic Walks Challenge

My original plan to celebrate St David’s Day was to head across the border into Wales and tackle the mighty Pen Y Fan. Of course in classic British style the weather had something to say about that plan, with MWIS and the Met Office forecasting 60mph gusts, nasty gales and just god awful/frankly dangerous conditions for anyone venturing out in the Welsh mountains.

So, not wishing to be blown off a mountain or meet my untimely demise, I headed to the North East, aiming to beat the weather by visiting the Yorkshire Dales.

My UK Iconic walks challenge included ‘Yorkshire’s Matterhorn’, Roseberry Topping. This hill in the North Yorkshire Dales may only be standing at 320m, but from a distance it’s clear to see why they call it Yorkshire’s ‘mini mountain’. Arriving in glorious sunshine but rather feisty winds of 45mph, I was excited for my first visit to the Yorkshire Dales and it didn’t disappoint. It’s clearly a popular spot, with plenty of families, dog walkers and hikers making the easy-to-unestimate effort to reach the summit.

After taking a moment to check out the 360 degree panoramic views (whilst also trying not to get blown off my feet or have my camera be blown off into the Dales never to be seen again), I headed down for a wander across Newton Moor on a 7 mile circular route taking in Captain Cook’s monument, the 18th Century Roseberry Topping Shooting Box , Gribdale forest and Cliff Rigg quarry.

It may not have been a very Welsh adventure, but it was still a great way to bring in the first properly spring-like day of March.

• Distance: 7miles/11km
• Elevation Gain: 690m
• Route: Well maintained paths but rocky around the summit of Roseberry topping
• Dog friendly: Yes
• Parking: Newton under Roseberry car park, £3.80 up to 2 hours; £6.00 over 2 hours.

Sony A7 IV