Hills of the Yorkshire Moors

If there is one thing the Yorkshire Moors could be said to lack, it is hill tops. The predominate landscape is the open moorland, often with dramatic slopes but lacking proper summits. Many 'summits' seen from the valley floor disappear when seen from above, and just represent headlands on the flat tops of the moors. However, scattered around the moors are several proper hills, isolated spurs of moorland left behind by erosion.

Roseberry Topping

Probably the best know of the Moorland hills, Roseberry Topping stands at the northern edge of the Moors, with spectacular views north and west as well as the expected views of the moors to the south. The dramatic appearance of the summit has been exaggerated by quarrying, but even the undamaged side is impressive.

Hawnby Hill

One of the less well known Moorland hills, Hawnby Hill stands surrounded by open moorland on all sides, but far enough away from them to really stand out. Even better, it is neighboured by Easterside Hill, another of these rare hills. Hawnby Hill has many features in common with more serious mountains - it has crags, scree, cliffs (small admittedly), a summit ridge, two main lines of assault, and views out across rugged countryside in every direction.

Blakey Topping

For me, Blakey Topping resembles a model of a hill! It has steep sides on all sides, a narrow summit ridge with different views at each end, and even suffers from some erosion.

Howden Hill

Overlooking Langdale End, Howden Hill dominates the view far more than its modest size would suggest. A permitted path leads up onto the summit of the hill from Langdale End Rigg, itself an impressive feature.