Welcome to Cycling in the Dales

The dramatic landscape of the Dales has been attracting visitors for many years and the heart of the area has been designated as a National Park and an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.  The Yorkshire Dales has some of the finest scenery in the country, with marvellous limestone formations contrasting with the heather clad moorlands and valley bottoms full of meadows, dry stone walls and scattered with field barns.

Cycling is a lovely way to explore the area either as part of a visit or a touring holiday.  You get to see more and feel more in touch with the countryside around you, and you can be fully justified in stopping for a slab of cake or a pint of locally brewed beer.  What’s more you will be helping to protect this wonderful area by moving around in a sustainable way.

Although the area is justifiably famous for its mountain biking, riding on the Dales country lanes has many advantages:

• The surfaces are sealed and so are always rideable whatever the weather
• You are likely to arrive at a pub or café is in presentable condition (not covered in mud!)
• You can cover greater distances and predict reasonably accurately how long a ride will take you
• You can carry spare gear in a pannier without worrying that it will bounce off on a rocky descent
• You can plan varied circular rides or a linear ride using the train

What about the hills?

The hill and moorland scenery is what attracts most people to the area so it is not surprising that the cycling is not always flat.  There are routes that follow the valley bottoms and these can provide relatively easy cycling, linking lovely towns and villages. 

Any effort in climbing hills is always rewarded with fantastic views of the Dales landscape, and if you need to walk that’s no problem.  Just take your time and enjoy the wonderful surroundings.

Where are good places to start?

Most towns and large villages in the Dales are good bases to start from, and will have pubs, cafes, toilets, shops, accommodation, and information centres to help you on your way. Days out by bike (link) gives route ideas from a number of starting points but there are many other options.

How do I plan a route of my own?

The best map is probably the Harvey map ‘Yorkshire Dales for Cyclists’ which covers the whole area at a reasonable scale.  It has lots of ideas about places to visit and see along the way and detailed information showing the hills you might meet.

What about traffic?

The Dales is a sparsely populated area compared to most of the country which means that most roads carry much less traffic than is experienced in other parts of England.  The busier roads connect the main towns but there is nearly always a way of avoiding these on quieter back lanes. 

What about the weather?

The weather in the Yorkshire Dales can be as variable as anywhere else in Britain. You could find yourself cycling in glorious sunshine worrying about the suntan cream, or caught in a heavy downpour.  The key thing is to come prepared.  Whatever the forecast says it is worth packing a lightweight waterproof just in case.