First taste of Roseberry Topping

[Pastychomper]

On a weekend tour of England I didn't think I'd have time for any hills but my brother dropped the name of Roseberry Topping, which I'd seen for the first time on WH a few weeks before. Somehow he ended up introducing it to me on the Sunday afternoon.

Our first good view of it was from the west, showing off a rocky head on an apparently conical hill. I commented that it looked like a pocket-sized Maiden Pap. We stopped at a convenient free car park and headed north onto the top of Ayton Bank, passing a brave mountain biker on her way down. I was in church shoes and was glad the paths were mostly dry.

View from the southeast - not so conical after all.

We approached the Topping from the east, going down and up a rocky path.

The way up

At the top was the most impressive - in fact the only - bit of trig art I've seen.

May there be many more.

The weather was mostly clear with a few clouds, allowing excellent views in all directions. I'm no longer used to seeing so many built-up areas in a landscape.

The way we came

View south...

...west...

...and the other way.

There is an old hunting shelter, restored in the 80s, on the way down the south side. Given some shutters and a bit more latitude it would make a good bothy - there's even something resembling a chimney in one corner.

The shelter

The track away from the hill was pretty squelchy.

Back along the track

From there we went through a farmyard and followed the driveway through a nice patch of woodland, over a stream, and onto a road whose hedges were laden with ivy instead of lichen. It all struck me as very English - I'm afraid I may be going native after 9 years north of the border!

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[Broggy1]

Great little hill

[Pastychomper]

yes, every town should have at least one good hill nearby.

[trailmasher]

Welcome to WH and the English hills Nice report and pics Just a few miles further south there are some great hills to wander about on

[malky_c]

Not a bad hill, is it? I remember seeing it years ago on a brief visit to the area, but only managed to get up it at the end of last year. Have to admit I didn't spot the trig point art though

[KatTai]

This is near where I grew up! Roseberry Topping was a place we went to often. Was up there a few years ago and the trig point wasn't looking so pretty though - it was completely covered in graffiti!

[mrssanta]

this is our twice a week training hill. There's nearly always someone on the top, but many possible routes up and down. It's a good wee hill