I ride quite a lot. We have plenty of hills here. You will need to make a judgement based on you own abilities as to the grade of these rides based on the length and ascent and weather conditions. None of them are especially technical but some parts are remote which is what makes them so special. The views on all are incredible.
Ribblesdale hills and viaducts
26 miles 3,176ft ascent.
Start and finish in Horton in Ribblesdale. Parking £3-£5 for the day. There are 2 pubs, currently no café. Toilets in main carpark.
This ride is mostly rough bridleways, some grassy hills and a tiny bit of tarmac which takes you through some of Ribblesdale finest scenery. There are some long ascents and descents and brilliant views of Ingleborogh, Pen-y-Ghent, the Ribblehead viaduct and Arten Gill viaduct, then into the valley of Dentdale where there is a little bit of a tarmac hill (Read steep slog up!) before getting back onto the bridleways for your return to Horton.
Download GPX file
Clapham Loop
20.1miles
Starting in the conservation village of Clapham. Public car park and toilets available there.
Starting up through the tunnels and on to Long lane bridleway you will pass near to Ingleborough cave. Do take a moment to admire the sheer beauty of the view at thieves moss once you are on the Pennine bridleway at Sulber. There is a little gate in the wall on your right and its perfect for a snack stop whilst admiring the view. You will continue over to Selside before coming up onto the Pennine way at old Ing. Here you will have views over to Ribble head viaduct. Make you way downs some fantastic bridleways to Horton in Ribblesdale and then a little bit of tarmac brings you back into Austwick where there are options to take the low road (thwaites lane) or the High road up to Crummack and long scar to descend back down Long lane into Clapham.
Download GPX file
Settle loop and Malham tarn
17.7miles with 2112ft ascent
Classic loop from Settle. Car park is next to petrol station. £4.00 for the day. Public toilets there too. Plenty of cafes and pubs in Settle.
It can be very windy and cold on the top of this ride so be prepared with the right clothing.
This route takes you up the pennine bridleway from Settle and over to Malham tarn. Loop round the tarn and then up onto Rye loaf hill following the Dales highway, Stockdale lane and Lambert lane back into Settle. You can shorten the route by not going around the tarn. Enjoy fantastic classic Yorkshire Dales scenery on this ride.