Levisham & Dalby

Route Information

Stats: 21 miles with 1738 ft of ascent – or more if you fancy it at Dalby Forest!

OS Map:

Refreshments

The Horseshoe Inn at Levisham is a great little spot, although it does have certain closed hours during the winter. However, Dalby Forest has a great visitor centre, and nearby Pickering has a wealth of facilities.

Character

The route starts with a cheeky little climb up onto the moor, followed by some rolling moorland that cuts around the edge of the Hole of Horcum before descending to the road. A BW ride into the forest leads you to red route wonderland and the great tracks of Dalby Forest. A final climb leads out of the forest and back to Levisham on a quiet – but steep – lane.

Start Point: Levisham Village, North Yorks Moors


Route

1. Leave Levisham by the BW to the right hand side of the Horseshoe Inn. This climbs up to the moor before meeting a myriad of tracks and a junction of bridleways – stay north and descend down to the rocky ford, which then climbs up to the track that skirts the Hole of Horcum.

2. This BW eventually descends down to the road (A169). However, stay on the BW as it skips alongside the road to the viewpoint and car park above this geological masterpiece. Cross the road and take the bridleway (double track) which cuts off the road and straight into the forest, initially on tarmac. This continues past Newgate Foot, eventually joining the red route in Dalby proper.

3. Continue along the red route and this double track until a sign for gate 21 on the red route leads off on singletrack to your right. Now grit your teeth, grab the bars and enjoy, following the red route as it twists and swings through trees, descending and climbing, curling around corners on beautiful berms. You can then exit the signed route at gate 37, descending at speed on the forest double track and turning right at the bottom and following this to the visitor centre at Low Dalby and a brew.

4. Once refreshed take the tarmac forest road north, passing the rope activities before joining the bridleway – Overscar Lane – off to the left near to High Dalby House. This climbs steeply back up to the A169. Turn right and cycle along for a third of a mile before turning off left and heading back to Levisham via Lockton – and a very steep climb! If you’re lucky the pub will still be open.

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