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. We’ve also added accommodation guides, to help you to find the very best place for you to stay in the dales, making the most of your cycling holiday in the Yorkshire Dales National Park.
AROUND THE HOWGILLS – MEDIUM 49 MILES
This is a tough but rewarding route,taking in the Howgills, between the Yorkshire Dales and the Lake District. Long climbs take you across wild and remote countryside, but reward you with epic views.
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.
COVERDALE FROM MASHAM – MEDIUM 48 KM
A superb route for climbers, using some of our favourite hidden roads, and climbing to Pen Hill.
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.
