Many of our team live and ride all over the world, on both road and mountain bike. It makes sense then to capture that knowledge and share with you some amazing cycling routes and locations.
We try to map out all of the routes that our expert team know of. From the longest road climb in the world, in Colombia, to epic trails in Europe, our database has something special for you to ride. Best of all, our cycling routes have maps, gpx files and detailed descriptions to help you to plan a great cycling holiday. Take a look via the panels below and ride around the world with us.
Those steep valleys, swathes of wild moorland and rugged hills that sweep across the north of the UK, providing epic riding. Along with old mill towns, the wild moorland tracks are a goldmine of rugged trails for the mountain biker. Take a trip to the North and South Pennines for a great mountain bike adventure.
LONGRIDGE SLOPES – EASY 17 MILES
There are a couple of sections where map-reading skills are called upon but most of it is straightforward. One word of caution; the forest ride off the Fell can be an execrable squelchfest after any appreciable dosage of rain. This loop could be omitted and the ride would still preserve its charm.
GISBURN & CHAMPION MOOR – HARD 17 MILES
Although the start and finish of the ride are well-waymarked sections of Pennine Bridleway and the Ribble Way, there are a couple of sections in the middle where you will need good map-reading skills (strictly speaking, landscape-reading skills) to find your way.
Many of our team live and ride all over the world, on both road and mountain bike. It makes sense then to capture that knowledge and share with you some amazing cycling routes and locations.
We try to map out all of the routes that our expert team know of. From the longest road climb in the world, in Colombia, to epic trails in Europe, our database has something special for you to ride. Best of all, our cycling routes have maps, gpx files and detailed descriptions to help you to plan a great cycling holiday. Take a look via the panels below and ride around the world with us.
Those steep valleys, swathes of wild moorland and rugged hills that sweep across the north of the UK, providing epic riding. Along with old mill towns, the wild moorland tracks are a goldmine of rugged trails for the mountain biker. Take a trip to the North and South Pennines for a great mountain bike adventure.
LONGRIDGE SLOPES – EASY 17 MILES
There are a couple of sections where map-reading skills are called upon but most of it is straightforward. One word of caution; the forest ride off the Fell can be an execrable squelchfest after any appreciable dosage of rain. This loop could be omitted and the ride would still preserve its charm.
GISBURN & CHAMPION MOOR – HARD 17 MILES
Although the start and finish of the ride are well-waymarked sections of Pennine Bridleway and the Ribble Way, there are a couple of sections in the middle where you will need good map-reading skills (strictly speaking, landscape-reading skills) to find your way.
Including areas such as Dartmoor, Exmoor, the New Forest and the South Downs, there’s a fantastic network of trails and bridleways in the South of England.
The rolling hills of the South Downs are a contrast to the rugged terrain of Dartmoor, but both areas provide awesome riding, with some forestry thrown in by a visit to the New Forest.
Take a look below as we grow the route selection, adding to these awesome riding areas of the UK mtb scene.
Wales has a history in the mountains like no other place in the UK. It’s been a draw for outdoor souls for decades in the modern eras too. It’s time to visit the mountains – and ride Wales. The mountain bike routes in Wales and in Snowdonia and elsewhere are among the very best in Europe,wild and rugged and testing.
We want to show you some of the classic routes and the epic places to ride and visit. If you haven’t been to Wales, then now is your time … take a bikecation in this amazing country.
PENMACHNO TRAILS – MEDIUM 16 MILES
The Penmachno Trails are the hidden gem of North Wales biking; 30km of singletrack and forest trail with spectacular views and the feel of a proper mountain biking adventure.
The trails are split into two loops that can be ridden individually or as one amazing 30km ride.
Close to the urbanisation of Sheffield and Manchester, this very special National Park has always provided a haven for the working people of Britain’s industrial heartlands. The mountain buike trails vary, from the rugged and wild Dark Peak, to the limestone valleys of the White Peak, but all provide a superb day mountain biking in the Peak District National Park
Edale has a unique place in our countryside access history, being the venue for the mass trespass that led to the opening up of the paths that we all now enjoy.
With epic trails, winding bridleways, and hidden limestone valleys, the area has something for everyone,including some of the best access routes and post riding facilities. The Peak District is a great place to visit for mountain bike routes of all standards, so plan your own visit here.
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.
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.
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.
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.
BLUE ROUTE AT SUTTON BANK- EASY 9.4 MILES
The short blue, as it’s now listed, it a great amble across the escarpment, with some good field edge trails thrown in; all nicely surfaced with chippings where necessary, providing an excellent surface. The route starts off near the visitor centre and heads off into the woods, providing a great little section through trees, before opening up and crossing the gallops on its way to the escarpment.
Sitting on the western edges of the United Kingdom,the magnificent high fells and valleys provide awesome trail riding opportunities in wild and rugged terrain.
With two great forest centres too, at Grizedale and Whinlatter, the Lake District should be on every mountain bikers list. The area is also filled with accommodation options and great places to eat, including the legendary Wilf’s Cafe at Staveley – so get along to the Lakes and ride in some of the most beautiful and technically testing areas of the UK.
BLACK COMBE – MEDIUM 8.6 MILES
You’ll need to pack your lungs – much of the climbing will have you simultaneously screaming for a lower gear and wrestling the front wheel back down. But the route is easy to follow and is all rideable apart from a section at 200m that would challenge the toughest climber.
THE OTHER BORROWDALE – EASY 15.3 MILES
This Borrowdale, of course, is very different from its famous namesake, being tucked away in the shy wedge of cragless land between the A6 and M6. Ride it if you like escaping the hordes, ride it if you like that sense of exploring or ride it if you just like riding.
ULPHA FELL – HARD 14 MILES
There are plenty of people who will tell you that the Lake District is just too full and too commercialised – an endless parade of concession stands selling achingly tasteful Peter Rabbit coasters and ‘Daffodils’ tea towels. This route enables you to explore the less frequented fells.
We’ve listed a selection of the best mtb routes in the Yorkshire Dales and surrounding areas. Many of the routes can be linked quite easily to take you further and increase the challenge. They are designed in the main as bite size chunks that will provide excellent rides for most abilities.
Our map below shows you exactly where the routes are. Simply pan in and click on a bike and a link will take you to the web page, or click the panels as you read through our great selection of rides.
BARBONDALE
Route Information
Stats: 10.5 miles, 1,800 ft of ascent
Refreshments
Depending on season and time of day, there may be an ice-cream van at Devil’s Bridge but you’re not going to go hungry in 10½ miles, are you?
Character
This ride is added to celebrate Natural England’s decision to extend the Yorkshire Dales National Park westward. It’s a short spin, eminently suitable for an evening ride, but could be extended further west to make a longer ride.
Route
1. Park at Devil’s Bridge, the favoured stretching-spot for cramped motorcyclists, just outside Kirkby Lonsdale. Head east on the small lane that crosses the bridge (and must once have been the A65). At the top of a slight rise, turn left on a bridleway (marked Collier’s Lane) at the entrance to a caravan park. Follow this between the park and the golf course then, at the road, turn right on tarmac. Keep climbing, going straight over a couple of crossroads, heading towards Bullpot Farm.
2. At the farm, turn left down a well-signed bridleway. There’s been a bit of scramble bike damage so try not to add to it. There’s quite a rocky, technical descent into Barbondale – it forks near the bottom but both branches converge at the road. Turn right on the road, but only for a few metres before turning sharp left.
3. Barbondale is an idyllic picnic spot and there’ll likely be small children splashing in the beck. You can join in, as there’s a ford (there’s also a bridge for anyone keen to stay dry).
4. Follow the track down, staying on the true right of Barbon Beck. At a fork in the woods, keep left but don’t cross the stream. Too soon, the track emerges onto a swooping driveway so follow this down and to the left, near the small church.
5. Turn right at the road and then left at the Barbon Inn, following lanes back to Casterton. This allows you to return to Devil’s Bridge by the sunken bridleway you came up.
click below for gpx file