Leisure and Road Cycling

in Bingley in Great Ayton in Leeds in North York Moors in Pickering in Saltaire in Scarborough in Selby in Whitby

Yorkshire’s not all flat out

Sticking to the tracks, country lanes and cycle paths doesn’t mean missing out on our county’s great biking opportunities. Road cyclists, tourers and those who just want to take it easy and take in the view are well catered for too. Quiet country roads, byways and a network of cycle paths, there’s a lot to see and do, so get on your bike and discover Yorkshire from your saddle.

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Day and Family Rides

Yorkshire is a great place to learn how to cycle and offers quieter routes for children so they can cycle in safety whilst being surrounded by birds and trees. These out of the way routes range from forest trails, to disused railways and canal towpaths.


The Cinder Track

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The Cinder Track is a popular route with all cyclists, all year around. One of the most spectacular trails in the north, it runs alongside the North Yorkshire Heritage Coast. Following a disused railway line from Whitby to Scarborough, this traffic-free route has a number of climbs and descents, just to keep things interesting. With good cinder tracks throughout, it’s ideal for the more adventurous families. The route is 21.5 miles (34km) one way and is also part of National Route 1 of the National Cycle Network and the Moor to Sea Cycle Route.


Moor to Sea

The Moor to Sea Cycle network links more than 100 miles of waymarked cycling through the spectacular scenery of the North York Moors National Park, from wide sweeps of open heather moorland to the breathtaking Heritage Coast. Combine a choice of linear routes to make circuits of varying lengths or take a week and cycle the entire length, which links the historic towns of Scarborough, Pickering, Whitby and Great Ayton. You’ll get fabulous views of heather moorland, ancient forests, rolling farmland and the spectacular coast along the way from forest tracks, lanes and the former coastal railway.

Try the newest leg – using forest tracks and part of the old Rosedale railway line, it links Easby on the western fringes with Dalby Forest. Along its 34 miles, there’s one tough climb up to the moor top, rewarded with a stunning view. The rest is fairly easy, with villages including Rosedale Abbey and Levisham providing welcome refreshment stops and it can be split into smaller sections for those looking for a more leisurely pedal.


York to Selby Cycle Route

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On a fine day nothing is more relaxing than the York to Selby Cycle Route. This gentle 15 mile ride along one of the first traffic-free cycle paths takes you from the walled city of York south to the historic abbey town of Selby. NCN route 65 initially runs alongside the River Ouse, and passes local landmarks such as the famous Millennium Bridge and ‘the planets’, a scale-model of the solar system; this is an ideal ride for all abilities.  The route can be done as a return trip or you can use the fact that it connects two railway stations to make the return journey.

You can also head north from York following NCN Route 65 to the impressive Beningbrough Hall, on a delightful 9 mile ride.


Calder Valley Cycleway

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Or how about the Calder Valley Cycleway in West Yorkshire? This picturesque 14 mile route between Sowerby Bridge and Warland is fun for everyone. The well constructed paths, quiet roads, sections of canal towpath and collections of public art en route all make for a great ride.


Spen Valley Greenway

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Another pleasant easy route featuring a collection of artworks, including a flock of Swaledale sheep constructed from recycled industrial scrap, is the Spen Valley Greenway. This 8 mile surfaced off-road cycling route follows a disused railway track between Cleckheaton, Dewsbury and Heckmondwike, eventually linking to Bradford.


Leeds-Liverpool canal

Much of the towpath of the historic Leeds-Liverpool canal has been upgraded to allow cycle use. The journey out from cosmopolitan Leeds takes you along a wonderful green corridor, giving easy cycling, and linking some great attractions. There are interesting sights in Leeds itself, Kirkstall Abbey, the Saltaire World Heritage Site, plus the lovely East Riddlesden Hall run by the National Trust. Leeds is a place for shopping, dining out and experiencing the bustling scene many of Yorkshire’s cities boast. The distance out to Riddlesden (near Keighley) is 19 miles (30km) on the Aire Valley Towpath Route, with the railway providing one way options with easy access to the stations at Saltaire, Bingley and Crossflats.

More route ideas can be found here.


Cycling Touring

Cycling touring is a great way to discover the county – travelling larger distances and absorbing more of the landscapes and surroundings. Whether you live close by or are on a visit to sample the famous great Yorkshire outdoors, getting on a bike is a safe and swift way of exploring.  After such exertion you can be fully justified in stopping for a slab of cake or a pint of locally brewed beer at any one of the many fine cafés or village pubs.

Alternatively, there are cycle operators offer a selection of guided or self-guided rides in the county.


Moor to Sea Cycle Trail

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For long distance riders and an ideal first cycle tour, the Moor to Sea Cycle trail offers more than 100 miles of way marked cycling through the spectacular scenery of the North York Moors, from wild and dramatic moorland to the breathtaking Heritage Coast, with views of the gothic Abbey on Whitby’s clifftops and the stone ruins of Scarborough’s castle. The Network comprises of more than ten linear routes which you can combine to make circuits of varying lengths or take a few days and cycle the entire length, linking the historic towns of Scarborough, Pickering, Whitby and Great Ayton. You’ll get fabulous views of heather moorland, ancient forests, rolling farmland and the spectacular coast along the way from forest tracks, lanes and the former coastal railway. This route is signed with way markers and information boards.


White Rose Cycle Route

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Distance: 123 miles via Selby or 115 miles via Market Weighton
Journey from Hull, along the River Ouse at York and the quiet country roads of the Vale of York, before climbing onto the foothills of the North York Moors.


Yorkshire Wolds Cycle Route

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This is a route for those who want solitude and silence but still be able to roll into warm welcomes and unique places to stay, eat or explore around almost every corner.

With the highest point of the whole route only 250m above sea level it’s as relaxing on your legs as it is on your heart and head but it still carries you through a subtly shifting tapestry of landscapes under some of the biggest skies in Britain.

Distance: 237 km

Terrain: Quiet country roads, market towns and coastal views

Starting point: Beverley or Pocklington

Finish point: Beverley or Pocklington

Difficulty Rating: ***


Yorkshire Dales Cycleway

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Distance:130 miles (210 km)
Start and finish: Circular starting at Skipton
A great way to see the best of the rolling Yorkshire Dales, it takes you through six of the finest valleys, starting in Wharfedale, and taking in Coverdale, Swaledale, Wensleydale, Dentdale and Kingsdale.  The route can be divided into six day-stages of 20-25 miles each.  The route follows quiet country lanes and includes some challenging climbs through wild areas, swooping descents and stunning quiet dales to explore.


West Yorkshire Cycleway

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Why not warm your legs up on this 150 mile signed circular route that roughly follows the West Yorkshire county boundary, a great ride for the serious cyclist.  Primarily for leisure cycling, the route is mainly on-road and is intended for use by all roadworthy bikes.  Plus there are plenty of great places to stay for the not so serious who don’t want to do it all in a day.


Other routes & sights

Get your kicks on Route 66, the long-distance cycle route which follows the young river Calder, or tackle Route 68, the Pennine Cycleway, another national cycle route devised by Sustrans which wends its way through the heart of our Pennine hill passing through Holmfirth, making it a great stop-off point. The full route is 355 miles and takes between 8-14 days – not for the faint hearted!

No cycling tour of Yorkshire would be complete without climbing the famous Cragg Vale Incline (B6138) – the longest unbroken ascent of any road in England. From the village of Mytholmroyd, the road rises 968 feet over a distance of five and a half miles to open moorland. Enough to give your gears and lungs a tough workout.

Another of Britain’s most well known ascents is Holme Moss from Holmbridge to the north and the Woodhead Reservoir to the south, the popular known ‘Le Col de Moss’ rewards every rider with one of the most stunning picnic spots in Yorkshire. With views of up to 50 miles on a clear, just soak in the vista and relax. After all, it’s all downhill from here.

More routes and ideas can be found here.


Coast to Coast Cycle Routes

Reward yourself after a long tour with a view of the sea and fresh air.

Way of the Roses Cycle Route

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There’s the newest coast to coast route, Way of the Roses, just waiting to be tried. With its 170 well-signed miles between Morecambe and Bridlington Bays, it rolls through the Forest of Bowland, Yorkshire Dales and Nidderdale, on its way to York and the Yorkshire Wolds, all enjoyed from cycle paths, country lanes and quieter roads. Just follow the distinctive blue signs bearing red and white roses.

Distance: 266 km

Terrain: Quiet country roads & plenty of stops in country villages and market towns

Starting point: Morecambe

Finish point: Bridlington 

Difficulty Rating: ***


Walney to Wear & Whitby (W2W)

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You can cycle ‘coast to coast’ from Walney Island in Cumbria to the fishing town of Whitby via Tan Hill, thanks to Regional Route 52 which runs between Barnard Castle and the historic North Yorkshire port. This well signed route is 171 miles (275km) long and is fully mapped. Add to the adventure by cycling an extra 21.5 miles (34km) along The Cinder Track, the coast-hugging ex-railway track to Scarborough.


Coast to Coast Route

The iconic Coast to Coast has to be on your cycling adventure trip-list! Crossing the country through unparalleled beauty of the fells, Dales and Moors, exquisite timeless villages and staying in wonderful accommodation sampling good Yorkshire food and ale. Coast to Coast Packhorse has been helping people do this journey for over 26 years providing all the support you may need from accommodation and baggage transfers through to route advice, GPS files, maps, secure car-parking and transfers to/from your start point and finish. Bespoke service to suit your needs and dates.


Cycling route from Harrogate to Ripley

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The new Nidderdale Greenway has been created by reopening the railway viaduct and part of the Harrogate to Ripon railway line for public use, and will give local people the chance to make more of their everyday journeys without having to rely on a car.


Cyclosportives and Audax Rides

You can also sign up for one of the many cyclosportive or audax rides in the area.  Cyclosportives often feature a number of different length loops as challenge rides.  They are organised events which follow way-marked routes, and have a number of refreshment stops along the way. You are normally timed although they are not a race, and so you can always come back the next year to try and improve your time. They can be really good social occasions with hundreds of riders out on course.

Audax rides are organised events that start at 50km and work up to 600km.  You need to be more self-contained, organising your own food and often doing some navigation.

All of these events pitch road riders, ranging from have-a-go types to would-be racers, against the UK’s best, most scenic and most challenging routes.


Cycling in the North York Moors

The North York Moors cycling offer is one of the best in the country, with superb facilities to attract every type of cyclist, from families and beginners right through to the enthusiast. Once on top of its escarpment, the North York Moors terrain offers attractive cycling with low gradients while large urban populations are located within a few minutes cycle ride from their backdoors in Middlesbrough, Scarborough and others (no cars or other public transport required).


North York Moors Cycle Route

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North York Moors Cycle Route – Explore the beautiful North York Moors, considered by those who ride there as one of the best-kept secrets in cycling. Cycle along quiet roads through the iconic heather moorland landscape around little known valleys, meander through deep forests and experience stunning views along the rugged coastline.

Distance: 276 km

Terrain: Quiet country lanes, rolling moorland valleys, roads through dense forests and the ruggedly beautiful East coast. Stop off in market towns, picture perfect country villages and coastal settlements steeped in history

Starting point: Pickering

Finish point: Pickering 

Difficulty Rating: ****

Home to England’s largest trail centre at Dalby, the North York Moors National Park has:

  • Over 100 miles of off-road cycle tracks from three major cycling centres (Dalby, Guisborough Forest and Sutton Bank);
  • More than 300 miles of promoted (and signed) cycle routes on a mixture of forest tracks, disused railways, bridleways and quiet country roads, including the 150 mile Moor to Sea Cycle Network and various Sustrans routes;
  • Plus a 500 mile strong network of bridleways, restricted byways and BOATs (Byway open to all traffic) available to mountain bikers confident at route making from a map.
  • In addition, the National Park is interwoven with hundreds of miles of quiet country roads that, although not part of designated cycle routes, cyclists already enjoy in large numbers.

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