Adventures - Cycling

Cycling

Cycling is a great way of exploring the wonderful countryside within the Settle Area and beyond.

The Yorkshire Dales is famous for having hosted the Tour de France Grand Départ in 2014
and Settle for hosting the finish of the 1st Stage of the Tour de Yorkshire in 2016.

Below are listed a selection of cycling routes for you to try but there are many more that can be found online.

Cycle Route - Airton Circular
Explore the quiet villages and lanes between Airton and Gargrave.
 
Linking two National Cycle routes (68 & 688), this ride passes through beautiful scenery which includes the grounds of Eshton Hall. The route visits, or passes close to, the lovely Dales villages and hamlets of Airton, Otterburn, Bellbusk, Eshton, Gargrave, Flasby, Hetton, Winterburn and  Calton.
 
if you cycle in the spring, the meadows will be full of as many lambs as you could ever wish to see!
More information >>
Cycle Route: Settle - Wigglesworth Circular
This circular route explores some very quiet back lanes well away from traffic, with wonderful views of Ingleborough, Pen-y-ghent and Pendle Hill.
 
Discover places with wonderful names such as Wigglesworth, Tod Holes, Sheep Wash (Upper & Lower!), Wham (Upper & Lower!), Rome and Farther Rome.
More information >>

DALES LOOP SW
106 ml / 170 km

The route is described anti-clockwise from Kirkby Lonsdale. It’s probably preferable to do it anti-clockwise owing to the asymmetry of the main climb but you could just as easily start in Settle, Gargrave or Wharfedale. Of course, only a fool would start in Wensleydale as this would leave Outershaw Side, the highest road in the Dales, for tired legs. You have been warned.

More Information

pedalnorth.com/dales-loop-sw/

ROSES LOOP
72 ml / 116 km

A tough but enjoyable ride covering some esoteric delights (hands up who knows their way around Sawley, Eldroth, Glusburn and Lothersdale?) as well as a popular corner of the Dales. It’s an ideal ride to do with a mixed party of Yorkists and Lancastrians so they can bicker the whole way round over the scenic, cultural and climatic merits of their respective counties. And, if they have enough energy to re-enact the battle of Towton after all those miles, good luck to them.

More Information

pedalnorth.com/roses-loop-cycling/

SETTLE CIRCULAR
17½ ml / 28 km

A classic circuit around the limestone country crossing dramatically-shaped valleys and passing through the best-known villages in the southern Dales. There is a stiff climb out of Stainforth, with easier riding following and a final gentler climb from Airton before a dramatic descent back to Settle.

More Information

https://cyclethedales.org.uk/route/settle_circular/

SETTLE - KILNSEY CRAG LOOP
36 ml / 58 km

Expert road ride. Very good fitness required. Some portions of the tour may be unpaved and difficult to ride.

More Information

komoot.com

Cycle the 'Way of the Roses'
This highly popular cycle route runs for 170 miles between Morecambe and Bridlington. It passes through the historic cities of York and Lancaster, and lesser known gems such as Settle, Pateley Bridge  ...