Best Yorkshire's Cycle Routes

Do you want to rekindle your love of cycling but are afraid to get back on the saddle?

It’s time to get outdoors and experience the sights and sounds of this beautiful county we call home - Yorkshire.

All routes have been handpicked by us and are suitable for inexperienced cyclists or those returning to cycling after an extended break.

Elsecar Greenway to Old Moor Wetlands Centre

Where: Barnsley, South Yorkshire

Distance: 3 miles each way

Difficulty: Easy

Good bits:

• Toilets, a café, a shop, and car parking are all available at Elsecar Heritage Centre. At RSPB Old Moor there are also toilets, a café, and a shop.
• The trail passes a retail park with a supermarket to nip in.
• Generally a flat route with the occasional raised section.
• The tall trees provide light protection from the weather for the majority of the route but do take an umbrella or waterproof coat too because, well, this is England.
• Visitors can take a steam train ride at Elsecar Heritage Centre.

Not so good bits:

• The route does have some roads that need to be crossed.

More info:

https://www.transpenninetrail.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/downloads/Elsecar_Q.pdf

 

Scarborough to Whitby

Where: Safe Ways Park, Scarborough

Distance: 21 miles each way

Difficulty: Intermediate

Good bits:

• Runs along the scenic clifftop.
• Suitable for inexperienced cyclists.
• Mostly a traffic-free and flat route.
• Attractions to visit whilst there: Scarborough Castle, Whitby Abbey.
• The route is that of a disused railway line – no trains have run along the route since 1965.

Not so good bits:

• The track can get muddy in bad weather.
• Roads in Robin Hood’s Bay are very steep.

More info:

https://www.sustrans.org.uk/ncn/map/route/scarborough-to-whitby

 

Penistone to Dunford Bridge

Where: Penistone, near Barnsley

Distance: 6.5 miles each way

Difficulty: Easy

Good bits:

• There are information panels to read along the route.
• There is a nature reserve to explore (Wogden Foot Nature Reserve). Six locally crafted sculptures can also be spotted along the route, as can windmills.
• Cafés and tearooms can be found in the market town of Penistone.
• Penistone Station is accessible from both Huddersfield and Sheffield through a Northern Rail service and bikes are allowed on the trains. It is then a short walk from the station to Tesco.

Not so good bits:

• There is one road to cross on this trail.

More info:

https://www.transpenninetrail.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/downloads/Trip6.pdf

 

Harrogate to Ripley

Where: Bilton, near Harrogate

Distance: 4 miles each way

Difficulty: Easy

Good bits:

• The route is along a former railway line.
• A traffic-free route. Incorporates a grade 2-listed seven-arch Nidd Gorge Viaduct. The highlight of the route is crossing the viaduct.
• The route is suitable for children and less confident cyclists as it is away from traffic.

Not so good bits:

• No signs from Harrogate Station to the beginning of the railway path currently. Exit west of the station and walk bikes up Station Parade, turn right onto Bower Road, and access the route at the back of ASDA car park.
• It's a popular dog-walking and running route so riders need to be alert of this.

More info:

https://www.sustrans.org.uk/ncn/map/route/harrogate-to-ripley

 

Remember to seek advice from your doctor about returning to the saddle if you have suffered from injury or illness in the past that has caused you to stop exercising.