The hidden moors and valleys of the North Yorks Moors provide some of the best natural singletrack anywhere in the British Isles. Mountain biking in the Moors is an experience for everyone. Routes vary from an amble along the Hambleton Hills to full-on world standard routes at Dalby Forest – a venue recently voted as being the world’s favourite XC venue. With over 70km of singletrack.
The variety of this area is superb; moorland heather tracks, steep sided valley’s, twisting woodland singletrack. Yep, the Moors has it all. Easily accessible from the A1, one of England’s main road routes, it has a historical place in the British mtb scene. The best centres to locate yourself are Helmsley, Guisborough and of course, Dalby Forest and Pickering.
COLD KIRBY TO BILSDALE – HARD 25 MILES
This is a burner, a real test of your stamina. As it starts, we follow the BW from Cold Kirby, before detouring off the BW and along the road via Old Byland, to avoid a poor section, before we return to the excellent trails.
THE DROVERS WAY – MEDIUM 13.5 MILES
This route follows the edge of the Hambleton Hills, along the ancient highway that links Sutton Bank with the picturesque village of Osmotherley.
GREAT HOGRAH MOOR – MEDIUM 14 MILES
At only 14 miles this route really packs a punch, starting off with a steep climb of Ingleby Bank over rough and technical terrain. Then the singletrack begins, giving you a taster of what’s on offer further along at Great Hograh Moor.
HAMBLETON HILLS – HARD 32 MILES
The route starts with a climb, and rolls you down through trees before tarmac leads you back. Along the way you climb and descend on rocky technical tracks, wide fast double tracks and even get in some secret singletrack at Hanwby Moor.
HELMSLEY LOOP – MEDIUM 19.5 MILES
Starting with a pleasant gravel track through a wooded dale, the route takes you out into a little frequented part of the moors, before bringing you back to Helmsley via the ruins of Rievaulx Abbey.
LEVISHAM & DALBY – HARD 21 MILES
Don’t be lured into complacency – there is plenty of climbing and plenty of tricky terrain to negotiate.Though short, this is a testing route that can easily be extended.
OSMOTHERLEY INTRO – MEDIUM 15.4 MILES
This is a fantastic introduction to Moors riding. Don’t look at the middle section as 5 miles of toil – it’s 2 1/2 miles of toil, followed by a great downhill section. From Square Corner – yep, check the map name – we’ve taken this route down the Cleveland Way and past the reservoir, towards the village.
RAG ROBIN RAMBLE – MEDIUM 9 MILES
You’ve guessed it, this route starts with a climb. However, the country landowner has made it easy for you, by tarmacking the narrow lane which winds its way up to the junction with the Cleveland Way.
RIEVAULX WOODS – MEDIUM 10.2 MILES
Numerous bridleways and tracks cut across this valley. The route here is a good introduction, and a great little evening or afternoon ride. A few steep climbs and a terrific short singletrack descent, good woodland trails, and great little swooping descent across open meadows.
ROSEDALE RAMBLE HARD 21.4 MILES
A superb introduction to Rosedale’s famous singletrack. I saw this route on the Muddy Bums website and had to ride it, so thanks guys. I’ve altered it only slightly, to bring in some more technical singletrack.
RUDLAND RIGG – HARD 18 MILES
This route has a section of moorland singletrack that is amongst the best in the UK – yep. I know that’s a big statement, but ride it and see. The route itself starts off with some easy riding and some woodland downhilling, followed by a long climb along Rudland Rigg, before turning off on singletrack to Low Row.
SUTTON BANK & BOLTBY SCAR – MEDIUM 16 MILES
The route takes you along the escarpment overlooking the Vale of York, with some new technical trails created to add to the fun. This is a technical line, with twists and turns over rocks.
