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cyclethedales.org.uk/route/yorkshire_dales_cycleway/
The Yorkshire Dales Cycleway is a stunning circular tour of the National Park taking in most of the main Dales and many that are rarely visited. It is a tougher proposition than something like the C2C route with a number of challenging climbs, but the stunning scenery and warm welcome make up for this. The route is all on road and is signed with the logo of the National Park – a sheep’s head.
You pass through a string of charming villages and so it is easy to plan overnight stops and find plenty of café breaks. The route takes you through the lovely limestone areas in the south of the National Park including famous sights such as Malham Cove and Tarn. You visit lesser known Kingsdale which is riddled with cave systems and climb over a gated road into Dentdale. You can then either follow the extended route taking in the Westmorland Dales or head to Hawes – home of Wensleydale Cheese. The two routes reunite in Swaledale with its fabulous barns and walls scenery.
You will then be heading for the lesser known Coverdale which links back to the Wharfedale valley at Kettlewell. It is then back down the valley for a well deserved finish.
bikepacking.com/routes/gb-divide/
The GB DIVIDE route runs the length of Britain, linking its wild places with its rich industrial past. Riders will experience a diverse range of geographies and micro cultures to give them a unique perspective of the rich history that has shaped the British Isles. Bursting with climbs and technical descents, this route will reward those with versatile ‘all-road’ setups and attitudes… expect road, gravel, singletrack, and everything in between.
We sought to utilise the versatility of ‘all-road’ bikes by designing a route that links GB’s most remote off-road riding via small roads, following the most direct natural line possible. The route passes through several National Parks (NP), areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), and other mountain ranges including Exmoor NP, Quantock Hills AONB, Mendip Hills AONB, Brecon Beacons NP, Cambrian Mountains (aka the Desert of Wales), Snowdonia NP, Yorkshire Dales NP, North Pennines AONB, Kielder Forest Park, Scottish Borders, Loch Lomond & the Trossachs NP, Cairngorm NP, and the Scottish Highlands. With ~30,000m of climbing packed into the ~2,000km route, this is one for the mountain lovers.
The route also pays homage to Britain’s past, passing sights such as Bristol’s Clifton Suspension Bridge and the Falkirk Wheel, as well as providing a glimpse into vibrant city life by passing through Manchester city centre. It will also give riders an insight into the similarities and differences of the three countries that make up Great Britain (England, Wales, and Scotland). It is also full of contrasts; from the buzz of city life to the remoteness of Wales and the Highlands; from remnants of dark satanic mills to state-of-the-art wind farms; from fast road/gravel sections to singletrack and the odd hike-a-bike.
www.cyclinguk.org/king-alfreds-way
Immerse yourself in 10,000 years of history by riding this 350km loop around historic Wessex, the Anglo-Saxon kingdom of Alfred the Great.
King Alfred’s Way starts and ends in Winchester where Alfred is buried, and connects iconic monuments including Stonehenge, Avebury stone circle, Iron Age hill forts, Farnham Castle, and Winchester and Salisbury Cathedrals.
www.komoot.com/collection/903458
Welcome to the Yorkshire Dales 300, brain child of local rider and cycle mechanic Stuart Rider. The official route is ridden annually as a participation event from Stuart’s workshop in Skipton, Riders Cycle Centre - but is also available to ride year round for cycle tourers or racers fancying a challenge with a timed Individual Time Trial (ITT).
If you’re looking for a straight-forward A to B route then this is not for you. But if the idea of a wiggling trail taking in all the most hidden off road gems, toughest climbs, most exposed moorland estate roads and testing singletrack is more your cup of Yorkshire Tea, then you’re in the right place. A total of 186 miles (300km) doesn’t sound like much, but don’t be fooled: this is one challenging route. You should consider your fitness level before attempting the Yorkshire Dales 300 as there are many testing climbs, even spread over five days.
The official route passes by many of the quaint towns of the Yorkshire Dales, so don’t be afraid to go ‘off route’ a little to visit these and sample their delightful tearooms and pubs! By splitting the route into five days here, there should be ample time for exploring the local sights, especially in the summer months with more daylight hours.
The best bike for this challenge is probably a hardtail mountain bike or similar. It certainly can be attempted on a gravel bike although some parts of the trails are quite technical so be prepared to walk a little! Remember that wild camping is not legal in this part of the UK so if you’d like to camp you’ll need to seek out campsites. Thankfully there are plenty to choose from in the Yorkshire Dales. It’s important to take a survival bag and other emergency equipment with you whether you’ll be camping or not, as some of the areas you reach are very remote which means emergency help could take some time to reach you.
Perhaps the best time to visit the Dales is late summer or early autumn - September and October. Here it will be less busy as the school holidays will be finished and the purple heather should be blooming - marvellous! Be aware that severe weather can strike year-round so make sure you’re prepared with good quality waterproofs and plenty of spare layers.
Made in the Cotswolds. Published by Éditions Système D Ltd.
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