The Yorkshire Dales – where speed is your friend

The Tour de France helped to show the world how great cycling in Yorkshire really is. With the Tour de Yorkshire now being a regular event on the UCI continental tour calendar, cycling in Yorkshire continues to grow, and members of our team live and ride in the heart of it, bring you the best cycling routes in Yorkshire.

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.

COVERDALE ABBEY  – MEDIUM 34 MILES

This route takes part of the 2014 Tour de France route – in reverse – climbing steadily to the historic Dales village of Middleham, with Richard IIIs castle and gallops. You then enter beautiful Coverdale, climbing along narrow, winding lanes, before descending and crossing the River Cover for the second time.

COVERDALE LOOP  – MEDIUM 30.5 MILES

This road route is simply stunning. It takes in a long stretch of the hidden gem which is Coverdale. Once a famous route for merchants and their cart horses between Wensleydale and Wharfedale, this route seems almost purpose made for biking.

DALES ALTOURNATIVE – HARD 36 MILES

This is a magnificent loop, taking in three meaty climbs and some terrific scenery. It dodges around some of the Tour de France route to offer alternatives to the most well-travelled ways.

DALES LOOP SW – HARD 106 MILES

Multi day trip into and around the Dales, or a one day epic – you choose

DALLOW MOOR & BRIMHAM – MEDIUM 29 MILES

This is a hilly route, that whilst not great in length, will definitely test you out. The descent into Pateley Bridge is epic and alpine in nature, and should be treated with caution. Once you’ve climbed out of Pateley Bridge, it’s downhill all the way home.

DENT RIBBLEHEAD – HARD 36 MILES

This short loop trundles up Dentdale to emerge on the mysterious central plain of Ribblehead, drops down through shy Chapel-le-Dale then swings round the south-west extremity of the Dales with a final pull through equally shy Barbondale.

HARROGATE & NIDDERDALE – HARD 39 MILES

Introduction to the tough hill climbs in Nidderdale, with long and steep roads.

HAWES INGLETON DENT – HARD 41 MILES

Tough in the rain. Probably no picnic in sun either, but has spectacular views on awesome roads.

HAWES TO DENT STATION – MEDIUM 21 MILES

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.

HOWGILLS ROAD LOOP – HARD 47 MILES

There are some great ascents and descents that swoop along the rolling Howgills, with some epic views. You can pick your own start point for this loop. Parking at Kirby Stephen, Sedbergh, Orton, Garsdale so it doesn’t matter where you start from.

KIRKLINGTON TDF – MEDIUM 21 MILES

This is another TdF related route, taking in some of the great lanes that surround this Cathedral City and the route of the Grand Depart.

LITTONDALE LOOP – MEDIUM 19.36 MILES

Expansive views of Malham, the valley behind the famous Yorkshire peak Pen-y-ghent and then a comfortable descent back into Littondale, onto Halton Gill and back to the start point in Arncliffe.

MUKER TO ASKRIGG – HARD 17 MILES

When the weather is good this could simply be one of the finest upland routes in the country. Thigh burning inclines and fast tarmac descents lead you into stunning Yorkshire Dales villages.

NE DALES & BEDALE – MEDIUM 29 MILES

rolling countryside on its way to some steep climbing on the edge of Dales as it nears Leyburn. It’s downhill all the way towards Richard of York’s castle at Middleham.

PATELEY TO GRASSINGTON – HARD 24 MILES

If you ride from Pateley, with no warm-up the rider is met by Greenhow Hill and its 18% gradient. It eases after 4km and you roll across the top of Nidderdale to Wharfdale, descending the twisting lanes to Appletreewick.

HOW STEAN GORGE – EASY 14.5 MILES

This is a great little family ride on excellent country lanes with spectacular scenery. Gentle climbs will test the younger members of the family and thrill them with the descents.

RICHMOND TO TAN HILL – HARD 49 MILES

Quiet roads climb up over 1600ft to the famous Tan Hill pub and hotel. It can be bleak and breezy at times, so take suitable clothing along with you. This is the highest pub in England and by the time you get there you will be ready for some refreshments.

RIPON & FARNHAM – MEDIUM 21 MILES

This is a great route for speed. In the main it is flat and fast roads and takes in some glorious villages and the superb A168. This road parallels the A1M, is a good fast tarmac surface with a great wedge of road over the white line.

RIPON & THE DALES – HARD 41 MILES

The best Dales villages and pubs, a steep and painful mountain climb with views to long for; a fast downhill section which would stand its own against anything in the Alps and long flat sections where speed is demanded.

ROSES LOOP – HARD 72 MILES

A tough but enjoyable ride covering some esoteric delights (hands up who knows their way around Sawley, Eldroth, Glusburn and Lothersdale?) as well as a popular corner of the Dales.

SEDBERGH TO DENT – MEDIUM 18.5 MILES

This is a great route with stunning valley views and the Yorkshire Dales village of Dent to take in enroute. There are plenty of get out opportunities if you’re not feeling great or the weather closes in.

BOLTON ABBEY – MEDIUM 17 MILES

This route takes in the best bits of Bolton Abbey, Burnsall, some great Yorkshire Dales views and back through a wood known as Storiths. Back to the Cavendish Pavillion where you can either have a pot of tea, chill with an ice cream or cool your legs in the river.

WARTHERMARSKE HILL – HARD 26 MILES

This route takes on a series of quiet lanes that skirt the edges of the Dales, climbing and rolling alongside great scenery. The climbs keep coming and include a 2 mile tester at Warthermarske.

WENSLEYDALE CASTLES – HARD 29 MILES

This is a great little rolling ride from Middleham Castle and a superb introduction to the Dales. It takes an obvious line through Wensleydale, with sweeping descents to catch some speed, using the parts of the Dale that Le Tour missed out on, as well as some of the Le Tour route.

DALES TOUR SOUTH – HARD 106 MILES

If you’ve quickly glanced at the elevation and the distance to the right, you will have taken a sharp intake of breath, muttered ‘Oh my God’ and quickly turned to another ride. Trust me stick with it. This is one of the finest rides you are likely to come across.