Hawes to Dent Station

Route Information

Stats: 21 miles and 1193 feet of ascent

OS Map:

Refreshments

Hawes has a great selection of accommodation, with an excellent youth hostel to boot. The cafes are great and serve some great food, with steaming mugs of tea.

Character

The area around Hawes is typical of the Yorkshire Dales countryside. Whichever way you go, at some point you will have to climb out of the town. This route takes you on well looked after tarmac to the infamous Dent railway Station.

Dent Station is the highest railway station in England and by the time you get there you will understand what that means. From there you travel on to Garsdale Station and back to Hawes.


Route

1. After a bike and kit check ride out of Hawes through the one way system west on the A684 passing through the market square.
2. Turn left and climb up and out of Hawes on the B6255 which is the road to Ribblehead and onwards to Ingleton.

3. There is quite a climb here so take your time. Ride on through several miles of moor crossing road taking in all the views of the Yorkshire Dales.

4. Turn right at the sign posted junction for Cowgill.As you drop down with plantation on your left you will have sight of Arten Gill Viaduct in front of you which is a spectacular view. You will drop down to the left of this and underneath the railway.

5. As you drop down to the River Dee you will pick up several picturesque bridges and some white washed cottages. There are two bridges to cross on the main road. Pass the Sportsman Inn on the left near to one of the crossing points and continue on to Cowgill.

6. On the outskirts of the little village of Cowgill you will cross a bridge and make your way up a lane called Coal Road.

This is the second right. Don’t be tempted to take the first right as you’ll end up in someone’s driveway.

7. The Coal Road turns into Lea Yeat Brow and makes its way from around 250m by the river to Dent Station at 351m (1150ft) and continues up to over 500m.

Take a welcome break at Dent Station and enjoy a photo opportunity. You never know, if you time it right there may be a steam engine coming along the Settle to Carlisle line.

It’s also a great idea to stop and look behind you once or twice. If it’s good weather and clear of low cloud the views back down in the valley are superb.

8. Continue along this lane and drop down to Garsdale Head village just after the second railway station of the day. Turn right at the junction

9. Follow the A684 back towards Hawes.

10. The A684 will take you through Appersett village and onwards to Hawes.

11. You will cross the point where you started climbing and back into Hawes. Make sure you follow the one way system back to the car park.

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