Cycling in the Yorkshire Dales

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Day 1: Arrival Skipton

Make your own way to Skipton. Picture perfect and without a stone out of place, the literal meaning of the name is sheep-town.

• Accommodation: Herriots Hotel or similar in Skipton Situated just a 5mins stroll along the canal path to the centre of Skipton).

Day 2: Skipton to Malham | 38km

Introducing the moors, hills, rivers and dales of Yorkshire, your cycle ride gets underway from Skipton. You pass charming Appletreewick, essentially a medieval village with gorgeous stone cottages reflecting the limestone nature of the surrounding geology. Indeed some of the buildings seem to have grown out of the ground having been there since the 12th century. Take a pause at the ivy-covered Craven Arms pub. Then, continue cycling along the river as it flows through Burnsall, a dramatic village with an imposing stone bridge, as well as a school dating back to 1601. Have a riverside break here before heading up Elberton Hill, your last major climb of the day before a gentle downhill to join the River Aire, and continue up through Kirkby Malham to reach the popular village of Malham.

• Cycling for the day: 38km, 3.5h ↑ 533m↓ 457m
• Accommodation: Beck Hall or similar in Malham (Your small hotel is set in a quiet spot in the village. Parts of the building dates back to the 1660s).

Day 3: Malham to Settle | 26km

A cycle ride deep into the Yorkshire Dales is scheduled for today. Prepare for about 15km of wild and remote riding before you reach the first village. Steeply ascend Malham Rakes to the rippling waters of Malham Tarn. You now have some quiet hilly moorland riding before descending into Stainforth – the ancient Stony Ford once a colliery town on the River Ribble. Following the river, pass the old milling village of Langcliffe before you arrive in Settle.

• Cycling for the day: 26km, 2.5h ↑ 457m↓ 495m
• Accommodation: King William GH or similar in Settle (The guesthouse has six delightfully individual en-suite rooms, which blend period features with contemporary design).

Day 4: Settle to Dent | 42km

A day of riding, passing limestone caves and waterfalls and a leg-testing amount of elevation gain. The cycle route follows gentle hills through peaceful countryside to the village of Clapham. You may be ready for a coffee before you continue riding into Ingleton, a pretty village with a beautiful gorge and waterfall walk. From here, the route heads up into the glacially formed Kingsdale Valley. On your right, you have Yorkshire’s highest peak of Whernside, and there are expansive views to take in on your long ascents. At last, you roll down into Dentdale and Dent village, hidden between the Howgill Fells and Pennines.

• Cycling for the day: 42km, 4h ↑ 746m↓ 746m
• Accommodation: Dent Stores B&B or similar in Dent (Snug rooms above the village shop. All rooms are finished to a high standard with new fixtures and fittings).

Day 5: Dent to Askrigg | 35km

The day starts with a steep climb following the River Dee. Enjoy great views from your saddle over rolling fells. You reach the high point of the day at 435m from where the route becomes much easier as you roll into Hawes. Cycle to Gayle and visit Wensleydale Creamery. They have been making this kind of cheese since around 1150, involving traditional recipes following those first created by French monks. After this break, cross over the River Ure and follow a quiet road which runs parallel to it. A final relaxing stretch takes you through the pretty village of Bainbridge to finally arrive in Askrigg. This is a Viking settlement, which name means ‘The ridge where ash trees grow.’ 

• Cycling for the day: 35km, 3h ↑ 487m↓ 411m
• Accommodation: Thornsgill House or similar in Askrigg (Family-run early Victorian guesthouse offering comfortable light rooms with panoramic views over Wensleydale).

Day 6: Askrigg to Redmire | 34km

Today there are two big hills to take on. The first one is from Askrigg to Cross Top (495m) with up to a 15% gradient at times. Once you’ve conquered this, there is a gorgeous descent down into the valley of the River Swale. The old lead mining village of Gunnerside is a potential stop for a coffee and cake, although it is slightly off the route. Continue cycling along the river until you arrive into Grinton, with a popular pub and historic church known as the Cathedral of the Dales. A worthwhile short detour is the interesting village of Reeth, with its large green, shops and nearby Dales Bike Centre – with tasty food and drinks as well as equipment if you need stocking up. Then comes your next steep climb back up to 450m to cross Grinton Moor. Finally, it’s a cycle down into Redmire.

• Cycling for the day: 34km, 3h ↑ 810m↓ 800m
• Accommodation: Bolton Arms or similar in Redmire (A friendly family-run pub in Redmire).

Day 7: Redmire to Kettlewell | 30km

Another hilly bike ride through picture postcard landscapes and villages. The first place you cycle to is an historic village called Wensley, the place name for the Dale. Wensley comes from the Norse god Woden. This was a plague village in the 1560s, and took a long time to recover. After a look around, cross over the River Ure and climb along Gale Bank, which has beautiful woodlands and dry-stone lined roads. You cycle through glorious Coverdale, following the River Cover as it carves through the landscape threading its way through tiny villages. Finally, you take on the Park Rash climb, which averages 11% and climbs 230m. Be careful on the descent into Kettlewell, a gorgeous village by the river Wharfe with quaint tea shops and limestone terraces.

• Cycling for the day: 30km, 3h ↑ 548m↓ 495m
• Accommodation: The Racehorse or similar in Kettlewell (A traditional pub with newly renovated and individually styled rooms).

Day 8: Kettlewell to Skipton | 33km

The last stage of your Yorkshire Dales cycling holiday, despite a bit of climbing, is a much easier day. You continue with the river along Wharfedale. Cycle via Conistone to Grassington, passing by Grass Wood Nature Reserve brimming with limestone scars and thick woodland. The Old Hall here is reputedly the oldest house in Yorkshire, and the village is an excellent place to stop for lunch with a range of tea rooms and cafes. Next, cross over the river and wind your way cycling through the countryside, passing more villages and perhaps a final fantastic rest spot at Bolton Abbey. There is a final hill to Halton East before you reach Embsay and then cycle back to the starting point in Skipton.

• Cycling for the day: 33km, 3h ↑ 327m↓ 373m
• Accommodation: Herriots Hotel or similar in Skipton (As per your arrival day).

Day 9: Departure

The trip ends after breakfast when you depart the accommodation.

Click to view default hotels

• Herriots Hotel (Skipton)
• Beck Hall (Malham)
• King William GH (Settle)
• Dent Stores B&B (Dent)
• Thornsgill House (Askrigg)
• Bolton Arms (Redmire)
• The Racehorse (Kettlewell)

*Hotels are subject to availability. In case a particular hotel is fully booked for your desired dates, we will replace it with a hotel of equal value and quality level. We will provide exact accommodation details to you upon booking confirmation.