Yorkshire and the Lake District: A Cyclists Guide

A bike ride through Yorkshire showcases the very best of English culture & countryside. Cosy pubs, country lanes, wild landscapes, picture perfect stone cottages, cake, tea, ale, sheep, cattle and the soundtrack of birdsong. With a friendly population that loves the great outdoors and turns out in their thousands when a bike race goes past, Yorkshire and the Lake District are a perfect destination to explore by bike.

Yorkshire and the Lake District Cycling Highlights

In 2014 Yorkshire hosted Tour de France Grand Depart, a fantastic spectacle! Subsequent bike races included the Tour de Yorkshire and regular visits from the Tour of Britain.

Yorkshire & The Lake District Cycling Climbs

Fleet Moss

Rising from the town of Hawes (be sure to visit the Wensleydale Creamery) Fleet Moss winds it’s way into the clouds. Steep ramps take you up to 600 m. The average gradient is 6% and it’s a climb that must be attacked to be conquered! The ride over the top brings fantastic views and a fast descent drops down into the beautiful River Wharfe valley.

Cross Top

This is not famous but makes the list for the lovely remote nature of the climb, along with the best name. The road literally goes across the top, connecting the village of Muker to Askrigg in the steepest way possible.

Dentdale

A tough but charming lane that connects Ingleborough to Dent. Enjoy views of Ingleborough & Whernside. The descent to the village of Dent is gated – take extreme care! 

Hardknott Pass

An icon of the Lake District, this climb is also know as one of the toughest in the UK. The gradients are incredibly steep. It’s just 2.2 km long but has ridiculous ramps of up to 33%! This climb is not for the faint hearted. Walking is entirely acceptable. 

Tanhill

At the top is the highest pub in Britain. It’s a mecca for motorcyclists and has a cool vibe with live music & good food too.

Rosedale Chimney Bank 

Deemed as unsuitable for caravans and large vehicles this is also pretty unsuitable for cyclists! The steepest climb in Britain hits max gradients of over 30%. Only those with serious willpower make it up without putting a foot down.

Best Cycling Friendly Tearooms & Coffee Stops 

No trip to Yorkshire is complete without regular re-fueling at the charming local cafés. Here’s a small selection of our current favourites!

• The Firebox Café at Stage 1 Cycles, Hawes (try the Bakewell slice)
• &Then Tasting Deli, Kettlewell (try the cheese toastie)
• Duffins for Specialty Coffee, Steveny (for a delicious coffee & snacks)
• The Rusty Bike, Swainby (for freshly baked scones, also check out Beryl Burton’s bike hanging on the wall)
• Ye Old Naked Man Café, Settle 

How to Get to Yorkshire

The closest airports are Leeds, Liverpool and Manchester, each with bus and train connections to Yorkshire.

Another good option is to fly in to any of the London Airports and take a train north.

Where to Stay

There are plenty of picture perfect villages and pubs to stay in. There are several high end spa hotels too, if you’re looking for something a little more luxurious.

The town of Harrogate is a great base to ride from. It’s also home to the famous Betty’s Tearooms (a must visit for a traditional afternoon tea) and several good accommodation options.

The village of Settle is also well located for riding. Highlights include the annual Flower Pot festival, the village chippy, the Golden Lion pub and lots of quirky independent shops.

In the Lakes there are plently of lux options, the futher north you go, the quieter it gets.

A point to point trip is also worth considering – ride from coast to coast across the Yorkshire Moors, Yorkshire Dales and the Lake District and stay in bed and breakfasts, pubs and luxury hotels.

When’s the best time to ride?

The Yorkshire Dales & the Lake District are a popular destination for British holiday makers. But if you avoid school holidays and bank holidays and you’ll find quiet roads and deserted landscapes.

The climate is best described as ‘changeable’ with varied weather. In late Spring, Summer and Autumn the daylight hours are long. Expect and prepare for all kinds of conditions – from glorious sunshine to rain and wind.

What’s the best type of bike to ride in Yorkshire?

New new wave of All-Road bikes are perfectly suited to riding in the north of England. 30c-32c tyres will bring added comfort on sometimes rough roads. A light bike with plenty of gears would also be welcome on the steep climbs. Electric bikes are also worth considering to take the sting out of riding back to back days on tough terrain.

Want to learn more about cycling in Yorkshire?

We offer a fabulous point to point ride across the Yorkshire Moors, the Yorkshire Dales and the Lake District, from Robin Hoods Bay to Whitehaven. Check out our Tour of Yorkshire & join us in the summer!