The Cam High Road is an epic bridleway in Wensleydale; that famous valley in the Yorkshire Dales National Park. Climbing from just above the village of Bainbridge, it meets Fleet Moss – that famous road climb.
However, we take a detour before the summit, along a bridleway that rises above 2 valleys, before an epic descent to Semer Water. Skirting the lake, the route then climbs to another summit above Wharfdale, before delivering you at speed, back down to Bainbridge. The hills are hard, but the rewards will stay with you, on this truly epic mountain bike route in the Yorkshire Dales.
Route Information
Stats 22 km 609 metres
OS Map: 
Refreshments & Where to Stay
Nearby Hawes has everything for you, at all price points too. In season, there’s a great little cafe in Bainbridge too.
Character
Hard climbs and fast and twisting descents, make this a route for those with good fitness, as core strength will also make the ride even more enjoybale. The track is rideable all year, being stoney and rocky, meaning handling skills at speed are a requirement.
Route
1. From Bainbridge, follow the road towards Countersett, climbing steeply almost immediately.
2. At 1 km you join the bridleway signed ‘Beggermans Road’ – the infamous Cam High Road. Climb this, passing over the tarmac road at 3.3. km and continuing upwards.
3. At 5.6 km turn off on the left through the wide gate,onto a rough trail in grassland, that quickly leads toa smooth trail along the grassy ridge.
4. At 7.5 km the trail descends on a rocky and twisting singletrack trail, where care is needed, eventually joining the tarmac road to Semer Water.
5. Take the narrow bridge to Semer Water, then climbing the road towards ‘Stalling Busk’. At 11.4 km the bridleway heads off to your left and climbs all the way to Stake Allotments and the Stake Road bridleway at 15 km.
6. Turn left the bridleway junction,signed for ‘Carpley Green’ and enjoy a long feast of wide and rocky trail fun, interspersed with a few gates that halt progress, but give opportunity to take it all in. This awesome descent finally spits you out at the farmstead of Carperby Green, where you simply follow the tarmac road as it steeply drops all the way back to Bainbridge.
Click below for GPX file & accommodation
Download GPX
Choose Accommodation
