Everything you need to know about the ongoing Roseberry Topping footpaths repairs, North Yorkshire
Work to improve the first route at Roseberry Topping from Newton Woods to the summit is now complete, but there are 9 more sections of path repair to go over the next two years. Here's everything you need to know about the ongoing repairs, where to walk, when and why.
The path from Newton Woods to the summit of Roseberry Topping is now repaired and ready to receive walkers thanks in part to the BMC Access & Conservation Trust's Mend Our Mountains funding.
- This first 416m section of path to be repaired has been completed on time at this popular local walking spot
- Approx. 120 bags of new material and 80 bags of existing material were moved by helicopter as part of the work
- Around 4,000 hours of manual work has been carried out on this path by 4-8 people at a time
- In the steeper areas, the path was constructed by hand, using stone pitching techniques that are similar to those used by the Romans
- Funding is secured for the remaining nine paths, totalling approximately 2,620m in length, ensuring improved access to nature for local residents and visitors
- Surveys are ongoing for the next phase of work, with the intention to start four more paths in spring 2025
This £700,000 project also includes funding from: National Grid's Landscape Enhancement Initiative, Defra’s Farming in Protected Landscapes Scheme, the HF Holidays Pathways Fund, a generous National Trust legacy donation and a grant from the North York Moors National Park Authority.
The National Trust and North York Moors National Park Authority have worked in partnership to repair and resurface the path, improve drainage, and restore lost flora to the hillside that had been damaged by erosion and footfall. After seven months of continuous efforts, including two helicopter lifts of the heaviest materials, the path has been completed on time. Over time, upland grass habitats will re-establish, providing improved natural habitats and reduced scarring.
Gail Buzzard, General Manager for the National Trust, said, “Now that the funding is confirmed, the team can work on the next phase of plans and how best to balance our conservation activity with people visiting Roseberry Topping. It’s so good to see the results of the first path and this is just the start. We want to thank visitors for supporting the work at Roseberry Topping by following the diversions and sticking to the paths going forward. We are determined to continue with ongoing opportunities to help local people connect with the nature on their doorstep.”
Along with walkers, volunteers, who give up their time to help to look after the countryside, have welcomed the news. Mike Conlon, BMC North East Access & Conservation Volunteer, shares what Roseberry Topping means to him, with help from fellow members of the Cleveland Mountaineering Club (CMC).
What does Roseberry Topping mean to you?
Known locally as “The Matterhorn of Teesside”, Roseberry Topping is the standout feature of the local landscape. What fascinates me is that its profile changes depending on the direction you are viewing it from. A perfect, volcano-like cone from the west, to the near vertical, collapsed west face from the north and south. As a rock climber, I am aware of the history and actions of the local pioneers, including those who ‘pegged’ their way up before many of their routes collapsed. An image of Roseberry Topping is chosen as the symbol of the Cleveland Mountaineering Club on its stationery, website and merchandise.
What is your favourite route to the summit?
My most frequently used approach is from the North York Moors National Park carpark at Newton Under Roseberry. This goes along a lane, then steeply up some well constructed steps through the woods, before emerging out of the trees into more open ground, with a view of the summit above.
There are other gentler and more scenic approaches. Another favourite from a club member is from Great Ayton to the south, passing the old whinstone quarry, then gently up through the woods to the impressive folly. From here there is a choice of routes for the last, stiff climb to the top.
[Please follow any signage for route diversions while the works are carried out, thank you.]
What type of person loves climbing Roseberry Topping?
Everybody loves climbing Roseberry Topping. Beginners, seasoned hill walkers, mountaineers and runners alike. At around 1,000ft, it is within most people’s scope but provides a real sense of achievement of climbing a mountain. For generations of local families, it has been a right of passage to take your children up. Some use it as a leg stretcher on the way home from work.
Robin Bergstrand holds the men’s record for running up and down in 10 mins 15 secs in 1992, and Gill Garratt holds the women’s record of 13 mins 36 secs in 1990. The CMC holds an annual race every spring, regularly won in 11-12 minutes.
How many BMC members would you estimate climb Roseberry Topping each year?
Although local members will frequently include it in their itinerary for walks and rambles in the area, its modest size in mountaineering terms is unlikely to attract members from outside of the area, specifically to climb it. The Cleveland Way passes beneath it and includes a spur that takes in the summit. It is possible that some BMC hill walking members might visit in this way There is very little rock climbing activity these days due to a reputation for looseness and instability on the main face.
What condition are the worst paths in on Roseberry Topping?
Attracting as many visitors as it does, it is inevitable that erosion is a consequence. There are some sturdy stone paths but these are rough under foot, especially in descent. As happens elsewhere, individuals step off the constructed path, causing erosion to the sides and leaving the path elevated which makes some folk reluctant to use them. Some bare paths through the woods are 6-7m wide in places.
How important is it to BMC members that these paths be properly maintained?
I believe the vast majority of BMC members are concerned for the environment. They would recognise the recreational and well being value that Roseberry Topping provides to the wider community, and want to ensure that environmentally sound access is maintained. Personally, I think it is important that the BMC as a representative body, is seen to contribute to this work.
What’s Mend Our Mountains?
Mend Our Mountains is an award-winning campaign from the BMC’s Access & Conservation Trust (ACT) which has raised a total of £1.4 million since its creation in 2016 to repair Britain’s hills and mountains. Since then over 50 miles of fragile footpath has been restored for future generations and 544 miles of upland has been repaired - the equivalent length of over 67,000 double decker buses!
Great Bradley Bridge was funded in the 2023 campaign. This year there are seven projects including:
1 Funding an Access Officer for the Cotswolds AONB
2 Supporting the Fix the Fells rangers in the Lake District
3 Restoring paths on Roseberry Topping, North York Moors
4 Making the footpath to Chanctonbury Ring, South Downs, more accessible
5 Replacing Cressbrook Mill footbridge, Peak District
6 Multiple Get Stuck In volunteer footpath repair events with the National Trust in the Lake District, Snowdonia and Peak District
7 Haytor Rocks almost 2,000m of footpath repairs in Dartmoor
Support Mend Our Mountains
Path repair is a surprisingly costly business. Working in remote locations with complex equipment and adverse weather conditions makes rebuilding trails an enormous and expensive challenge.
£5 buys a pair of work gloves
£50 buys five garden skips for moving soil
£250 fixes approximately one metre of footpath
£1000 flies ten bags of stone to an inaccessible mountain location
Did you know?
Simply becoming a BMC member supports BMC Access & Conservation Trust projects like this, plus you get all the benefits that membership offers, including these and many more:
£15 million Worldwide Combined Liability Insurance
£10,000 Personal Accident Insurance
Quarterly member-only magazine, Summit
15% off Cotswold Outdoor, Snow+Rock and Runners Need
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