Osmotherley to Clay Bank Top
Stage 13 of 16 (Osmotherley to Clay Bank Top) is the classic switchback day along the 'Cleveland Frontline' - the abrupt northern escarpment of the North York Moors National Park. From Osmotherley the Coast to Coast joins the Cleveland Way (and the old Lyke Wake Walk) and rides the crest over Scarth Wood Moor, Live Moor, Carlton Bank, Cringle Moor and Cold Moor before the famous hands-on scramble through the Wainstones on Hasty Bank and a steep drop to the B1257 road at Clay Bank Top. Wainwright rated this run of tops 'one of the finest' on the whole walk, and the views north over the Tees lowlands and Roseberry Topping are huge. It is short on paper - about 11 miles (17.5 km) - but the repeated steep climbs and descents add up to roughly 2,726 ft (831 m) of ascent, so it walks much bigger than its mileage. Much of the ridge is protected by Yorkshire-stone flagstones, with boggy moor and a couple of rocky tops in between. The reliable mid-stage stop is Lord Stones Country Park at Carlton Bank; Clay Bank Top itself is only a road pass with no village. The Coast to Coast Path was designated a fully waymarked National Trail in 2026.

Osmotherley to Clay Bank Top